The Queensland Government has locked in the multi-million dollar final funding for the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline, with construction expected to start in 2023.
The project will support more than 400 jobs in the south west regions.
Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said a lot of hard work has gone into making the final funding decision.
“Even while negotiations have been taking place, pre-construction activities, such as progressing the necessary environmental and native title approvals, have been continuing,” Mr Butcher said.
“The next stage of early works will include geotechnical works, final route determination, landowner engagement, and final detailed design.
“I want to thank the Toowoomba and Southern Downs Councils for working together with us on this project that will be critical for both regions’ future water security.”
In addition to the pipeline, the funding also includes upgrades to the Wivenhoe Pump Station to boost existing capacity, construction of new water treatment facilities to service communities along the pipeline route, and installation of network monitoring to reduce losses and improve water security for Southern Downs.
“Toowoomba residents can be assured that this project will not impact their existing water supply,” Mr Butcher said.
The pipeline will carry raw water from Wivenhoe Dam and connect with Toowoomba Regional Council’s existing water infrastructure to deliver water to Warwick. The pipeline will be an opportunity to deliver treated water to the Toowoomba region communities of Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton.
Importantly, the pipeline provides drought contingency for residents of Southern Downs Regional Council.
Seqwater has delivered detailed designs for the pipeline and is continuing to work with stakeholders in preparing to move into the pre-construction phase of the pipeline, with scheduled construction completion and commissioning now expected by early 2027.
The Queensland Government previously announced the $19.34 million Southern Downs Drought Resilience Package which was designed to help increase local water availability and improve Southern Down’s drought resilience.
The package includes measures such as the installation of new pumps at Leslie Dam, which allows for accessing previously ‘dead water’ (water below the level that existing pumps could access), as well as investigative works into the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline, commissioning of groundwater bores, and upgrades to water treatment systems.
