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The Minister for Infrastructure and Planning.

The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Friday, February 12, 2010

Northern Pipeline Interconnector stage two approved

The Federal Government today approved the underground reverse flow Northern Pipeline Interconnector stage two (NPI2) between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

After considering matters of national environmental significance, Federal Minister for Environment Peter Garrett announced his support for the $450 million pipeline.

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said the commencement of NPI2 would link the Sunshine Coast to the South East Queensland Water Grid and potential future water sources.

Mr Hinchliffe said NPI stages 1 and 2 would provide further water security and jobs for South East Queenslanders, with a total of more than 1000 people employed during construction of the project.

“Water is a precious resource that has to be shared,’’ Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The completed pipeline will provide the reverse flow capacity to ensure water can flow in either direction depending on demand.

“NPI2 will connect the currently segmented water zones of the Sunshine Coast and provide greater security and flexibility of water supply to support growth on the Sunshine Coast.

“Federal approval means water will be able to flow north or south between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

“There were 370 jobs created during construction of stage one and a further 650 people are expected to be employed, 60 per cent of them local, on stage two of the project.’’

NPI stage 2 will connect with the existing 47km NPI stage 1 between Morayfield and Landers Shute Water Treatment Plant near Eudlo and allow for the transfer of up to 65 megalitres of water a day. The flow will be regulated by the South East Queensland Water Grid Manager.

Pipeline proponent LinkWater Projects has engaged Northern Network Alliance to construct the final stage of the Water Grid and will link existing and potential future water sources throughout the Sunshine Coast.

The Coordinator-General’s report and the Commonwealth’s project approval provide a suite of conditions to ensure potential environmental impacts from construction and operation of the pipeline are managed and mitigated. These requirements build on measures proposed by the proponent during the EIS phase.

“This project has undergone three years of rigorous environmental assessment by the Coordinator-General and I am pleased it has cleared its final hurdles with the Federal Government,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The second stage of this key infrastructure project is expected to generate 650 jobs with an estimated 60 per cent of employees to be hired locally.”

The 48km pipeline will run from the Eudlo water treatment plant to the existing Noosa Water Treatment Plant. The regulated completion date for stage 2 is 31 December 2011.

Media contact: 3227 8425

FAST FACTS:

Northern Pipeline Interconnector stage one

·$315 million NPI stage 1 (47km) from Morayfield to Landers Shute water treatment plant near Eudlo completed on time and under budget.

·NPI stage 1 started November 2007 and finished Dec 18, 2008 – ahead of the completion date of December 31, 2008.

·370 people employed during construction of NPI stage 1.

·Since March 2009, NPI stage 1 has been transporting up to 65 megalitres of potable drinking water every day between Sunshine Coast water supplies and the northern areas of Brisbane.

Northern Pipeline Interconnector Stage two

·$450 million NPI stage 2 (48km) pipeline from Landers Shute to Noosa will access surplus water from the Noosa water treatment plant.

·NPI stage 2 likely to employ 650 people with 60 per cent employed locally.

·NPI stage 2 includes pipeline off-takes for future local water distribution at Eumundi, Yandina, Nambour, Pringle Hill and Paynter Creek.

·NPI stage 2 will be built considering potential capacity for future water sources.

·NPI stage 2 includes four pump stations, a balance tank and two water quality facilities.

·The Coordinator-General’s strict conditions on NPI stage 2 include controls on vegetation clearing; waterway crossings; air quality; noise and vibrations; traffic; erosion and waste management.

·Other conditions include the requirement the proponent offset greenhouse gas emissions produced during construction, commissioning and operation of the pipeline and the fact any tree removed that is a food source for fauna must be replaced by three new trees.

Northern Pipeline Interconnector stages 1 and 2

·Northern Pipeline Interconnector (stages 1 and 2) will be a 95km reverse flow pipeline between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to link the Sunshine Coast region to the water grid.

·More than 90 per of the pipeline route follows existing power easements or road corridors.

·NPI is a measure under Part 8 of the Water Regulation 2002 to ensure security of essential water supplies for the SEQ region.

·LinkWater Projects is the pipeline proponent.