The development of the draft Burdekin Regional Water Assessment included detailed analysis of local water needs and assessed the feasibility of new water infrastructure proposals. The draft Burdekin Regional Water Assessment Summary Report presents options to modernise existing water infrastructure and to construct new water infrastructure, based on realistic financial and economic projections of the potential benefits.
To start with, a long list of initiatives was developed by reviewing over 50 reference reports that included water investigations from State and local governments, and private water infrastructure proposals. A total of 95 potential initiatives were identified (85 infrastructure and 10 non-infrastructure).
With support from a Stakeholder Advisory Group and Working Group, the 95 potential initiatives were reduced to a long list of 20 options — 14 infrastructure and 6 non-infrastructure options across the Burdekin Regional Water Assessment area.
The long list of 20 options was further investigated using a multi-criteria assessment process with stakeholder support. Additional feedback was provided by the Stakeholder Advisory Group, and a Technical Advisory Panel provided technical advice. As a result, four options were shortlisted.
Engineering, environmental, social and cultural, and cost investigations were then undertaken for the shortlisted options.
Recommendations
Along with consideration of several existing detailed business cases for water projects in the region, detailed assessment has determined the best options for supporting the region’s future economic growth. These are presented in the draft Burdekin Regional Water Assessment Summary Report.
The draft Burdekin Regional Water Assessment Summary Report identifies a range of opportunities to support future economic growth across the region. These include new bulk water infrastructure, and improvements to existing water infrastructure and operations. The next steps for its prioritised projects are presented as short, medium and long-term recommendations.
Some of the key recommendations are:
- Complete further detailed analysis to identify the best project to meet updated agricultural water demands in the Bowen Gumlu area, industrial water demands connected to Abbot Point and any associated urban water demand. Includes completing assessments needed to confirm the projects economic viability and to optimise and stage project development.
- Pursue opportunities to implement outcomes of the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme Modernisation Detailed Business Case.
- Explore opportunities to support Lower Burdekin Water to modernise its bulk water infrastructure including the development of a detailed business case.
- Initiate a detailed business case for a new Upper Burdekin off-stream storage, subject to preconditions.
- Investigate capacity upgrades of the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme subject to preconditions.
Confirming whether the Burdekin Falls Dam raising and Big Rocks Weir projects will proceed to construction, along with the timing of construction, remains fundamental to the region’s future water supply situation. The outcomes of final investment decisions for those projects should also inform decisions about both implementation timing and further development of draft Burdekin Regional Water Assessment recommendations.
