South Straddy’s recycled water pipe and where it will go

A GIANT pipe will be built to carry the Gold Coast’s supply of recycled water and it is set to go straight through what is regarded as one of the world’s best surf breaks.

NEW mapping shows a massive recycled water pipeline that crosses the Broadwater will be built through one of the world’s best surfing breaks at South Stradbroke Island.

The Gold Coast City Council has budgeted almost $32 million over the next 12 months for development of stage one of its long-term recycled water release plan, but until now little has been known about it.

COUNCIL TO SPEND $1.8 BILLION ON WATER AND SEWERAGE UPGRADES

Surf breaks on beach near Couran Cove Resort on South Stradbroke Island. Queensland. Travel

Councillors discussed the financial contracts in closed session in late June, and a redacted version of an officer’s report now sheds some light on one of the city’s biggest ever infrastructure projects.

Despite earlier suggestions the pipeline might be built off The Spit sand pumping jetty or out through the Seaway, new mapping shows it going under the southern beach tip of South Stradbroke Island and extending 3km out to sea.

A map showing the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan to include South Stradbroke Island

The report reveals two years of “investigations and negotiations” will see a revised construction method with tunnelling and boring used rather than dredging.

Construction powerhouse John Holland Queensland Pty Ltd, which built the Brisbane Airport link tunnel, won the contract after a review by council officers and independent technical consultants.

The council officer’s report confirmed the negotiated offer from the company would see a change to a “trenchless method” that “considerably reduces environmental and stakeholder risks”.

Mapping for the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan

WHAT THE SPIT COULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE

The benefits would include “an improved environmental outcome in that there will be no disturbance to the Broadwater and Nerang River from dredging activities”.

The report said negotiations had meant there would be “opportunities for a reconfiguration of South Stradbroke Island works and future offshore stages to be pursued”.

The contract is for 100 weeks, with pipework across the Broadwater taking 50 weeks and work along the Nerang River about 35 weeks.

The first installation in the 1980s of the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan

The pipe crossing of the Broadwater required a tunnel that would be 1450m long and 2.4m wide, running about 20m deep, with vertical shafts at each end of between six and nine metres.

A 920m long polythene pipe, which would be 1.2m wide, would cross the Nerang River.

In an information sheet for residents, the council said up to 20 per cent of all recycled water from its four sewage treatment plants at Pimpama, Coombabah, Merrimac and Elanora was reused for irrigation, dust suppression and the non-food processing industry.

The rest was released using two underwater pipeline diffuser systems on each side of the Seaway wall.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

Pipeline used for the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan

But the Coast’s explosive northern population growth had put pressure on that system and the treated water, which could increase nutrients in the Broadwater, was only released on the outgoing tide.

NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP

“Due to the projected population growth of the city, the new long-term release solution is now required to cater for the significant demand on the recycled water release system,” the council said.

Building works for the project would have an impact on the playing fields at The Southport School, with the council needing permission for access.

The council report said a community communications plan had been developed which would include newsletter and fact sheets for stakeholders.

The surf break at the southern tip of South Stradbroke Island on the northern side of the Gold Coast Seaway is referred to by local surfers as “TOS’’ — or The Other Side.

The wave created in 1986 following construction of the Nerang River entrance training walls and the sand bypassing system is renowned for its power, speed and perfect A-frame shape.

“It’s one of the best beach breaks in the world. It’s the main driver of our surf tourism. It underpins all the businesses in Main Beach, from the pie shop to the cafes,” a regular surfer said.