Toowoomba Regional, Southern Downs Regional councils support $300m Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project

After a marathon three hour special meeting, Toowoomba Regional Council voted to support a state government project to build a water pipeline from the Garden City to Warwick. However, their support was subject to some key conditions.

A $300 million project to build a water pipeline from Toowoomba to Warwick has been given the green light, with pre-construction work set to being before Christmas.

Both Toowoomba and Southern Downs councils voted to support the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, supporting about 420 jobs during three years of construction.

The motion to support the project passed Toowoomba Regional Council at a special meeting on Wednesday, following a three hour debate on the subject.

In the end only four councillors opposed the resolution.

The council’s support of the pipeline comes on the conditions that a water treatment plant at Greenmount be connected to the pipeline, with future treated pipelines to supply Cambooya, Nobby and Clifton in lieu of individual treatment plants, and that Toowoomba Regional Council only supply water to Southern Downs with there is sufficient capacity within the network.

TRC Mayor Paul Antonio. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Support for the project was also contingent on the condition that it does not adversely impact council’s water security position, and the council receive “dollar matching financial support” from the state government towards funding its smart water meter program.

Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio said while the council’s main priority was providing water security to Toowoomba residents, the pipeline would also support the Southern Downs in time of drought.

“While the dams are full at the moment, it wasn’t that long ago Warwick’s situation was dramatically different so we understand the importance of this project for the future of the Southern Downs,” Mr Antonio said.

“In saying this, our focus has to be for our residents and the long-term water security needs for our community.

“This is why we requested and met with State Government representatives on a number of occasions to express the key objectives we need to be satisfied with, before giving our support to the project.

“Some of these objectives included the relocation and increased capacity of the Wivenhoe Pump Station; enlarging the pipe to connect with our southern towns of Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton and ensuring our ratepayers won’t be subsidising the supply of water to the Southern Downs Regional Council.

“While this idea was originally proposed as a way to help the Southern Downs in times of drought, we have worked hard to make sure any pipeline project benefits their Region, as well as the Toowoomba region.”

Water Minister Glenn Butcher welcome the council’s decision, and said the pipeline would not impact existing water supply.

The pipeline will carry raw water from Wivenhoe Dam and connect with Toowoomba Regional Council’s existing water infrastructure to deliver water to Warwick and will be an opportunity to deliver treated water to the satellite communities of Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton.