In December 2006, the Queensland Government released the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy, outlining a range of strategies to help meet the region’s future water supply needs.

The proposed Connors River Dam and Pipeline project was identified within the strategy as the preferred solution to meet future water demands in and around the Bowen Basin region.

The 373,662 megalitre capacity dam will be located on the Connors River, near Mount Bridget, approximately 110km east of Moranbah and 70km south of Sarina.

A 133km long pipeline will transport water from the dam to a smaller holding storage near Moranbah where it will then be distributed to customers.

If approved, construction of the dam and pipeline is scheduled to start in early-2012, with completion and commissioning planned for early-2014.

Commissioning of the dam will be a major component of growth and development for the Bowen Basin and will satisfy demand for the water quantity and quality required over the mid to long-term.

A strong demand for water from the neighbouring Galilee Basin has also resulted from SunWater’s Business Case investigations. Separate feasibility studies will evaluate a pipeline from Moranbah to service areas of demand in the Galilee Basin.

Once complete, the Connors River Dam will be the first major dam developed primarily to support the resources sector in Queensland, while also assisting to provide a reliable water supply for the townships of Moranbah and Nebo.

Sustainable supply of water is critical to supporting the lifestyle, economic growth and prosperity of these townships.

Additionally, the dam will provide a place of recreation for the community, and will improve visual and social amenity in the area.

SunWater is committed to the environment and has considered local wildlife habitats as part of the final design for the Connors River Dam and Pipeline project. For example, a fish lift has been incorporated into the dam design to enable the Fitzroy turtle and local fish species to move between upstream and downstream.

Where possible, SunWater has also tried to minimise construction impacts to remnant vegetation. Where impacts may occur, very large areas of environmental offsets will be secured as close as possible to any loss of vegetation or habitat.

About SunWater

SunWater is Queensland’s leading water infrastructure owner, developer and manager, playing a key role in Australia’s water industry. SunWater owns and manages around $7 billion in water infrastructure assets and supply approximately 40 per cent of all commercially used water in Queensland.

For the past 80 years, SunWater has provided secure and reliable water supplies to commercial water users within regional Queensland.

SunWater’s proven experience in the water industry positions them well to deliver Central Queensland’s next critical pieces of infrastructure – the Connors River Dam and Pipeline.

Delivery of the project, and others in the pipeline, are all part of SunWater’s commitment to taking the right steps towards securing Queensland’s water future.

For more information on SunWater visit: www.sunwater.com.au

Key project information

The proposed Connors River Dam;

•  located on the Connors River, 110km east of Moranbah and 70km south of Sarina
•  a Roller Compacted Concrete dam with a 250m wide central spillway
•  602m crest length
•  373,662ML capacity
•  5,850ha surface area
•  129,140ha catchment area
•  49,500ML high priority and 5,000ML medium priority annual yield

The proposed Connors River Dam to Moranbah Pipeline will:

• transport water from the Connors River Dam to Moranbah
• have approximately 50,000ML annual capacity
• be approximately 133km underground pipeline
• be between 1200-1500mm diameter
• have one major pumping station at the dam