Environmentally smart and sustainable water supply for the Capricorn Coast
Rockhampton to Yeppoon, Queensland
Total funding: $49.4 million with $16.467 million from the Australian Government, $20 million from the Queensland Government and $12.933 million from Rockhampton Regional Council.
About the project
The project is an excellent example of balancing water for environmental and consumptive uses in line with the National Water Initiative. A 43 km pipeline has been constructed from the Fitzroy River Barrage in Rockhampton to Yeppoon. Water is drawn from the Fitzroy River for urban users on the Capricorn Coast. Water will no longer be drawn from Sandy Creek.
With the rapid growth being experienced on the Capricorn Coast securing water supplies was considered critical for the sustainability of the region. As well as improving the security of local water supplies this pipeline project will benefit the environment by assisting in preserving the high conservation values of Sandy Creek in the Byfield area.
The source of flow for Sandy Creek is from large sand dunes located in Byfield National Park. The filtering effect of these sand dunes, over a time period of many years, provides high quality water that supports unique aquatic ecosystems in the relatively undisturbed stream environment. The water from Sandy Creek eventually flows to the Ramsar wetland site of Corio Bay.
Project benefits
The project will assist in:
- returning the existing 7400 megalitre/annum extraction license for Sandy Creek to be replaced with a 4000 megalitre/annum entitlement from the Fitzroy River
- protecting the high conservation values of the Sandy Creek catchment
- providing a secure water supply for the growing Capricorn Coast region
- diversifying water supply to Yeppoon and the surrounding area.
The project advances the National Water Initiative objectives of protecting surface water systems of high conservation value and providing healthy, safe and reliable urban water supplies.
A ceremony to mark the completion of the pipeline was held in Yeppoon on 24 July 2010.
Water Smart Australia projects are funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future initiative.
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