The Scenic Rim will join south-east Queensland’s Water Grid for the first time in a $135 million investment to service the region well into the future.
The investment will improve water security for the Scenic Rim’s rapidly growing population, which is expected to double from 40,000 to 80,000 over the next 20 years.
The upgrade will start in 2019 with a 5 million litre increase to the storage capacity of the existing Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant. Connection to the Water Grid will happen in 2021, with a 27km south-west pipeline to the Scenic Rim. The new water treatment plant to bring Wyaralong Dam online as a drinking water source is expected to be operational by 2022, based on forecast demands.
Overall, the upgrade is expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction.
Scenic Rim Council Mayor Greg Christensen said the upgrade was a significant investment in the region’s future.
“Ensuring we have water supply infrastructure capable of meeting our future growth and demand is critical to our region’s future,” he said.
“The Scenic Rim Regional Council will continue to work closely with Seqwater to help facilitate these projects.”
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham said the upgrade would provide a long-term water supply solution.
“With the Scenic Rim area growing rapidly, the latest projections show the existing Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant will struggle to meet peak demand by 2022,” he said.
“These projects will improve water supply reliability to support the continued population and economic growth of the region.”
Seqwater CEO Neil Brennan said once connected, Wyaralong Dam would be south-east Queensland’s fifth largest drinking water source.
“The Water Grid is our connected network of dams, water treatment plants, reservoirs, pump stations and pipelines across south-east Queensland, which allows us to move water around our region when needed,” he said.
“The addition of another significant water supply source to the Water Grid will improve long term water security for south-east Queensland.”
The Scenic Rim is the last major population area in south-east Queensland to connect to the Water Grid.
For more information visit yourseqwater.com.au/Beaudesert
