The SunWater Board has decided not to proceed with the Connors River Dam and Pipelines (CRDP) project in Central Queensland because it is not financially viable.

 The project was identified in the 2006 Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy as the preferred medium to long-term water supply solution to meet future water demands in and around the Bowen Basin region. Water from the proposed dam would supply primarily the Bowen Basin and surrounding areas as well as possibly supplying communities within close proximity to the proposed pipeline route.

SunWater and the Queensland Government will now examine potential water availability from existing infrastructure such as the Fairbairn and Burdekin Dams.

The Connors Dam decision followed a query from the Government earlier this month asking SunWater whether the CRDP project had a viable funding source.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney said he waspleased the SunWater Board had presented the Government with a statement of facts.
 
“While we have openly supported the CRDP concept, its current $1.3billion price tag puts the current project well-beyond the Government’s and industry’s capacity to fund.

“The Government’s focus will now be on looking at other options that will help secure a reliable and affordable water supply for the region.
 
“I will convene a meeting with the appropriate Ministers next week to fast track alternative water supply options.

Mr Seeney said the` decision not to proceed with the CRDP project at this time did not mean that a similar project could not be commercially viable in the future.
 
He said the Government would re-consider the SunWater decision if and when the project became more financially viable.

Additionally land that had been acquired for the dam would be retained by the government to be used at a future date should circumstances allow.