Agnes Water/1770 Integrated Water Project Gladstone Regional Council 3 July 2008

Introduction Who’s who?Who’s who? Why are we here?Why are we here? What the meeting is not.What the meeting is not. How it will workHow it will work

Some history … Miriam Vale Shire Council’s Town Plan forecasts future urban population of 24,500 for Agnes Water/1770:Miriam Vale Shire Council’s Town Plan forecasts future urban population of 24,500 for Agnes Water/1770: –Approved by State Government –Council obliged to plan infrastructure and services for this forecast population –Existing water supply constrained (options reviewed) –1770 not sewered –1770 bore contamination –AW sewerage plant at capacity and non-compliant MVSC determined a strategy to meet future needs:MVSC determined a strategy to meet future needs: –Fixed price DBO contract –State approved and funded.

Some history … Miriam Vale Shire Council signed a contract with United Utilities Australiaon 16 January 2008 to:Miriam Vale Shire Council signed a contract with United Utilities Australiaon 16 January 2008 to: –Operate existing water and wastewater treatment facilities in Agnes Water/1770; –Operate and upgrade (EPA compliant) the existing lagoon sewerage treatment plant at Agnes Water; –Design, construct and operate new water and wastewater treatment facilities, including a desalination facility; –Design and construct all necessary infrastructure to provide reticulated water and sewerage to 1770; and –Be available to undertake additional water and wastewater related services and work for and on behalf of Council.

Some history … The January 2008 contract remained conditional upon Council securing an affordable funding solution:The January 2008 contract remained conditional upon Council securing an affordable funding solution: –Council was required under the contract to exercise its best endeavours to satisfy the condition. –Three, separate extensions of time were granted by UUA. –Only limited additional State Government funding was provided and only in line with standard eligibility. –Council elected to negotiate some scope reductions with UUA to make the project more affordable. –State Government advised they would not approve reduction in scope of the desalination intake/outfall pipes. –State subsidy remains significant and unlikely to be repeated. –The new Council had to make a choice on the best available information.

Other (water) options … Do nothing – not really an option.Do nothing – not really an option. Pipeline from Awoonga Dam – already considered and checked again.Pipeline from Awoonga Dam – already considered and checked again. Stormwater harvesting from Baffle Creek – no guarantees.Stormwater harvesting from Baffle Creek – no guarantees. Additional groundwater bores – poor history and reliability issues.Additional groundwater bores – poor history and reliability issues. Still had to provide a sewerage solution – well outside the licence.Still had to provide a sewerage solution – well outside the licence.

Conclusions Resolution passed 1 July 2008 (refer hand-out):Resolution passed 1 July 2008 (refer hand-out): –There is a problem. –There is really only one readily available and affordable solution. –The IWS project meets all the necessary standards for approvals and has attracted substantial Government subsidy. –Council would have preferred to have spent more time consulting with the community. –Council will still be looking at an overall water supply strategy for the entire southern part of the new region.

Where to from here …? Council is mailing letter and fact sheets etc. to householders.Council is mailing letter and fact sheets etc. to householders. A joint (UUA/Council)information session is being planned (nominally Sunday 20 July) to provide detailed explanation of the project and timing.A joint (UUA/Council)information session is being planned (nominally Sunday 20 July) to provide detailed explanation of the project and timing.