State Government decides on preferred option for $200m Toowoomba-Warwick pipeline

After months of uncertainty, $8 million in funding from the State Government will see the Toowoomba to Warwick water pipeline proceed.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) visits Warwick to announce $20M drought resilience package for Southern Downs. Pictured with SDRC Mayor Vic Pennisi and Toowoomba Regional Council’s Cr Nancy Sommerfield.

Plans to run a $200 million raw water pipeline from Toowoomba to Warwick will be progressed by the State Government to a detailed design stage.

The raw water pipeline and a treated water pipeline from Toowoomba to Warwick that would operate in times of drought were identified as the preferred options in the SEQWater Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline Feasibility Report, commissioned by the State Government and released yesterday.

The decision by the State Government to go with the raw water option will circumvent the need to bring forward by three years a $150 million upgrade of the Mount Kynoch Water Treatment Plant to meet the demand of the two local government areas.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday announced an additional $20 million for drought resilience measures in the Southern Downs, including $8 million in early works for the Toowoomba-Warwick pipeline, including detailed design, surveying, and geotechnical works.

There are plans to connect the townships of Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton to the pipeline.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said the council was pleased to have some clarity on the proposed water pipeline after months of uncertainty.

“Council will now need to carefully consider the information released today and will continue to work closely with the State Government to reach the best possible outcome for the Toowoomba Region.”

The feasibility report was first commissioned in 2019.

Warwick’s water supply, Leslie Dam, at that time was forecast to run out of water by October 2020, but inflows extended that time frame.

TRC Water and Waste Committee Chair Cr Rebecca Vonhoff pointed out that today’s announcement concerned preparatory works and not the pipeline’s construction.

She added that TRC staff had assisted the State Government, contributing to the development of the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline Feasibility Report.

“The State Government’s commitment of $8.1m for preparatory works for the pipeline is for detailed design, surveying and geotechnical works,” Cr Vonhoff said.

“The feasibility study was commissioned in 2019 and is a key milestone. Now the report has been released so council can give it its full consideration.

“Council will continue to work with Queensland Government to increase water security for the Toowoomba Region and Darling Downs.

“We need to ensure that any past, present or future financial contribution our ratepayers are making or have made is addressed. We’ve got to make sure we do what’s in the best interests of our residents.”

Originally published as State Government decides on preferred option for $200m Toowoomba-Warwick pipeline