In preparation for the final route of the Toowoomba to Warwick (T2W) Pipeline being confirmed, Seqwater has released a detailed map of where the pipeline is planned to be constructed.
Seqwater, the Queensland Government body in charge of constructing the pipeline, has released the current route for the pipeline.
Over the new few months it will finalise the route.
The T2W pipeline will provide a permanent water supply to residents in Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton.
The pipeline, when complete, will also serve as a drought contingency water supply for residents within the Southern Downs towns of Allora, Warwick and Yangan, and by carting south to Stanthorpe and Killarney.
Seqwater is in the process of completing detailed ecological investigations to help progress the design development and inform which locations along the pipeline route should be avoided, where possible.
These investigations are completed via a combination of desktop and field survey techniques to identify and ground-truth protected plant species, important habitats, valuable waterway environments and significant or locally important street trees along the alignment.
Geotechnical investigations are also underway and will likely continue into December 2023, subject to weather and unforeseen conditions.
Finalisation of the pipeline route is a complex process and is subject to ongoing discussions with Toowoomba Regional Council, Southern Downs Regional Council, and landholders, as well as engineering and environmental considerations.
Seqwater recognises that projects can have an impact on the environment and is committed to minimising and mitigating impacts where possible and demonstrating environmental responsibility by meeting any legislative, regulatory and duty of care requirements.
The project remains in pre-construction phase and Seqwater is on track to confirm the finalised pipeline route in early 2024.
The pipeline will run along existing road reserves and easements for most of its route for safety and efficiency reasons.
Seqwater is engaging with affected property owners as details of the route are finalised.
While the pipeline route and design are still being confirmed, it is anticipated that the pipeline will be located completely underground.
Once the design and route are finalised, Seqwater will share details with the community.
A more detailed version of the map, which can be zoomed in on, can be found by visiting epbcpublicportal.awe.gov.au/all-referrals and searching for EPBC number 2023/09644.
Those seeking a hard copy of the map can email projectinfo@seqwater.com.au or call 3432 7000.
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 23 November 2023.
