Bungendore residents may soon have their water delivered through a new pipeline. Photo: sonsam.
Residents are invited to have their say on a proposed water pipeline to service Bungendore.
Following predicted population growth in Bungendore, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) has proposed upgrading the Bungendore water supply system to meet increased demands up to one gigalitre per year by 2046.
Mayor Kenrick Winchester said preparation of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was one step in the process of planning for the major project.
“In April 2023, after considering a feasibility study, council endorsed progressing the development of the water supply pipeline to a tender-ready stage,” he said.
“Council has not approved constructing the project. Progressing the project to a tender-ready stage has meant working on six key factors that must be approved or completed before the project can be considered for construction.”
According to the nearly 1000-page document, council’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (IWCM) predicts a 10 per cent growth rate for Bungendore over the next five years, which would lead to more demand for water.
As part of the project, a new water pump station would be built at Dodsworth, Queanbeyan, while the pipeline would draw from a nearby trunk water main of the Queanbeyan water supply system.
Of the six factors, the design and technical specifications are complete, while the next stage (development approval through the REF) is in progress.
Land acquisition negotiations, intergovernmental approvals, a grant funding application and water pricing are underway.
The REF states that the 32-kilometre-long proposed pipeline would run between East Queanbeyan and the Turallo and Days Hill reservoirs in Bungendore.
It would cross 38 privately-owned rural lots and a 1.5-km section of Commonwealth-owned land (specifically, the Australian Headquarters Joint Operation Command, or HQJOC).
“It is understood that HQJOC is agreeable for the proposed pipeline to be sited on Defence land and there will be an easement on Commonwealth land,” according to the REF.
As part of the project, the works will include the construction of a pumping station, new storage reservoir and re-chlorination facility along the pipeline alignment.
Its preferred route would follow the Kings Highway in its eastern half, and would trigger “moderate to heavy traffic at times”.
The land for the proposed pipeline’s preferred route is mainly privately owned cleared land. Image: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
Under the REF’s assessment, the project would result in “moderate permanent and temporary environmental impacts” during construction and once it is built.
These include some loss of aquatic habitat, contamination of groundwater, vibration impacts and noise.
However, the document states those risks can be reduced to low, and the pipeline would have an “overall positive long-term benefit” for the area.
Once all six factors are tender-ready, QPRC will decide whether it will take the project further by proceeding with tenders and construction.
Mayor Winchester said a key element of any further discussions would be how to pay for it.
“The construction of the pipeline will not be possible without grant funding,” he said.
“We expect that if the project proceeds, construction would be paid for by a grant and a loan which would be repaid through developer contributions.
If approved, construction of the pipeline project is expected to start in 2025 and would take up to 24 months to complete (weather permitting).
The Review of Environmental Factors is available for feedback until 28 May. People can read the document and find out how to give feedback through the Your Voice QPRC website.
