{"id":232097,"date":"2019-04-01T20:22:03","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T10:22:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=232097"},"modified":"2019-04-01T21:46:08","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T11:46:08","slug":"trc-turns-on-pipeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/04\/01\/trc-turns-on-pipeline\/","title":{"rendered":"TRC Turns On Pipeline"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Paul<\/a>
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 2, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toowoomba Regional Council has started pumping water from Wivenhoe Dam, the first time in eight years that a $187 million water security pipeline has had to be used.<\/p>\n

The 38km pipeline connects Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam and has the capacity of delivering 27 megalitres of raw water a day.<\/p>\n

It was proposed in 2006 by the Toowoomba Water Supply Task Force to shore up Toowoomba\u2019s future water security.<\/p>\n

The 38km pipeline was fast-tracked by the State Government a decade ago during drought when there were fears Toowoomba could run out of water.<\/p>\n

Construction began in January 2009 and the first pipe was laid in March 2009.<\/p>\n

The project was completed in January 2010.<\/p>\n

Mayor Paul Antonio said on Monday that Council was sticking to its earlier announcement to start pumping operations from early April in line with Cressbrook Dam falling below the 40 per cent capacity trigger point.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder our current agreement the pipeline can provide up to 10,000ML a year to our supply. By beginning operations now, we will be able to use about a third of this allocation prior to July when a new allocation will then become available, should we need it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe combined dam levels in Toowoomba are about 35.5 per cent and although the allocation of water from Wivenhoe won\u2019t fill our dams, it does provide our region with water security for many years to come.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe recent rain we\u2019ve received has been a blessing but Council is committed to providing long-term water security to our region and activating the pipeline is the first step.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to this we need to continue working with both the State and Federal Governments and all other interested parties, including the private sector and irrigators across the region, on our long-term water security planning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the pipeline acted as a “fourth dam” to ensure the region\u2019s water sustainability.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn preparation, testing and maintenance was performed as part of the recommissioning process and today we\u2019re at a point where we can turn it on,” she said.<\/p>\n

Cr Mike Williams said Council set water pricing each year as a part of its Budget.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrent pricing is set in place until the end of June 2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouncil will look to manage any additional costs through the usual budget processes with the aim of limiting impact on the community wherever possible.”<\/p>\n

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