Fraser Coast water grid planning almost complete

A concept design and preferred route for a pipeline connecting the Hervey Bay and Maryborough water supply schemes is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor David Lee said while our current water supply system can support population growth beyond 2050, building a Fraser Coast water grid would help provide long-term water supply security for the region.

“Council recognises that water is our most valuable resource, and in early 2022 endorsed the ‘Fraser Coast Water Supply Security Strategy – Planning Report’ as the guiding document for future investment in the regional water network,” he said.

“The report found that a water grid, combined with the continued use of moderate water restrictions and the development of a demand management strategy, would ensure a secure, reliable and affordable water future for the Fraser Coast.”

Cr Lee said Council had engaged engineering services company Stantec to assess the routes and preliminary costs of a Fraser Coast water grid and develop a concept design of the preferred route.

“The Fraser Coast’s drinking water supply network includes 1100km of water main, which is equivalent to driving from Hervey Bay to Sydney,” he said.

“By connecting our two service areas into a single network, water can be pumped both to and from Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

“It will mean we will have a more resilient and efficient water supply network, as it would mean more use of the region’s water collection, treatment and storage assets.”

Cr Lee said work was also underway on a demand management strategy to consider how water can be used more efficiently.

“The water supply security strategy found that Fraser Coast residential water consumption is about 240 litres per person per day on average, compared with about 156 litres per person per day in south-east Queensland,” he said.

“This shows that our overall water consumption is not excessive, but there are opportunities to reduce demand and use water more efficiently in our homes and on our lawns and gardens.

“It’s all about balancing demand and costs to ensure we have a safe, reliable and secure water supply for all residents of the Fraser Coast now and into the future.”

The Fraser Coast Water Supply Security Strategy and other Council water strategies are available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/securing-water-future

More information about the community engagement process for the project is available here - https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/water-supply-security-strategy