The Connors River Dam was identified in the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy as a medium to long term option for supplying water to the northern Bowen Basin coal mines and communities in close proximity to proposed pipeline routes.

The dam is located on the Connors River near Mount Bridgett in the Isaac Regional Shire approximately 235 km north west of Rockhampton. The proposed dam will be of a roller compacted concrete construction and will include:

• a yield of up to 56 400 megalitres per annum of high priority water with a full supply level of approximately 169.1 metres and a storage volume of approximately 373 700 megalitres
• at least one water pipeline from the storage traveling west to the northern Bowen Basin with an ultimate discharge location likely to be near Moranbah
• fishways and water outlets (fish migration and water release).

The Statewide Water Policy ( 64 KB), issued on 16 August 2006, committed $56.5 million in funding for the Dam and $60 million for associated water distribution pipelines.

In December 2007, the project was included in a Program of Works (2.0 MB) under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971(Qld). This will help to ensure the timely achievement of project milestones within budget allocations.

SunWater, a government owned corporation, is the designated proponent for the project for the feasibility investigations up to the development of a business case.

The proponent estimates approximately 150 jobs will be created during construction and increasing employment opportunities and skills development in the region, including targeted employment programs for Indigenous communities.

The project will provide a secure additional water supply source which will assist with industry and community expansion in the northern Bowen Basin.

Environmental impact statement process

On 7 March 2008 the Connors River Dam and Pipelines project was declared 'a significant project for which an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required' under Part 4 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971. This declaration does not indicate support for, or approval of, the project by the Coordinator-General or the Queensland Government. Rather, it is a requirement for the project to undergo a rigorous EIS process.

The EIS process is being coordinated by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning on behalf of the Coordinator-General.

On 25 September 2008 the Commonwealth Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts determined that the project is a 'controlled action' for potential impacts on the following matters of national environmental significance:

• sections 12 and 15A (World Heritage properties)
• sections 15B and 15C (National Heritage places)
• sections 16 and 17B (Wetlands of International importance)
• sections 18 and 18A (Listed threatened species and communities)
• sections 20 and 20A (Listed migratory species).

As a result, the project will require assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) before it can proceed. The state's EIS process is accredited under a bilateral agreement with the Australian Government ensuring the EIS provides the necessary information for the Australian Government to make its decision on the project.

The draft terms of reference (TOR) for the EIS were released for public and advisory agency comment on 31 January 2009 until 9 March 2009. A total of 22 submissions on the draft TOR was received by the Coordinator-General, including 18 from advisory agencies and four from members of the public and organisations.

Submissions are currently being considered and, where appropriate, will be incorporated into the finalised TOR. The EIS, prepared by SunWater, will be based on the information described in the finalised TOR.

Resources

• Draft terms of reference on the EIS for Connors River Dam and Pipelines project ( 450 KB)
• Initial advice statement ( 528 KB)
  • Figure 1 ( 1.7 MB)
  • Figure 2 ( 171 KB)
  • Figure 3 ( 982 KB)
  • Figure 4 ( 273 KB)
  • Figure 5 ( 336 KB)

Further information

Further information on the project may be obtained via the SunWater website or by phoning free call 1800 244 771.

For further information regarding the EIS process for the project, contact Infrastructure and Economic Development Group and address your enquiry to the Connors River Dam project.