A $700 MILLION project, that would see more than 100,000 mega litres of water piped from the Burdekin River to Bowen annually, is progressing.
The Bowen Pipeline Project is a 182km underground water pipeline, commencing 16km upstream from Home Hill and travelling south to Bowen.
Proponents Bowen Pipeline Company (BPC) said the State Ministerial approval process was moving along.
“We are now moving into Stage 5 of 6 for the State Ministerial approval – we are responding to requests for information,” BPC director Sean Brown said.
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application was lodged with the Queensland Government, on December 18, 2024, after the project received consent from the Deputy Premier (Minister for Planning).
The formal approvals process has commenced, with a decision date for State approval conditions due in September 2025.
All the private land has already been secured, according to BPC.
“We also have support from both Whitsunday Regional Council and Burdekin Shire Council to use their road reserves, subject to obtaining all local authority approvals,” Mr Brown said.
The project will allow for the creation of a reliable, secure water supply for Bowen residents and businesses.
The Bowen region produces one fifth of Australia’s vegetables and is Australia’s largest winter vegetable growing area, currently growing about $650 million of fruit and vegetables, each year (at farm gate prices).
Mr Brown said the pipeline would mostly run adjacent to the Bruce Highway, mainly on private land and unformed road reserves.
“Existing available water allocations from the Burdekin Falls Dam will be secured from Sunwater and local water allocation owners,” Mr Brown said.
“The project has 41 grower and industry investors who have, to date, invested some $2.5 million and we are in negotiations with a US funds manager with US $250bn under management
“Most local investors are growers, business owners and individual residents in the Bowen and Burdekin Regions.”
The water supply will go to horticulture, agriculture, aquaculture, industry, the Bowen township, and green energy (methanol, ammonia, hydrogen) in the State Development Area, near Bowen.
The project has used focused engineering considerations for Net Zero commitment and minimal environmental impacts.
Mr Brown said the project would create 200 jobs during construction and 1,200 when operational, generating economic gain of $300 million, every year.
“We will operate a ‘Locals First’ employment policy and train everyone who wants a job,” he said.
The Commonwealth environmental approvals process is expected to commence shortly, following the lodgement of the MID application.
