What we're doing
Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer
With droughts tipped to be longer, drier and more frequent ACTEW Corporation is working to diversify the ACT region's sources of water.
The Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer is one component of Water Security – Major Projects, a suite of water security infrastructure initiatives now being implemented by ACTEW to secure the region's water supply.
Following initial assessments and planning works, the construction of the Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer was approved by the ACT Government in March 2009. The approval is significant and means ACTEW can continue the planning approvals process and construction.
What is the Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer?
The Murrumbidgee to Googong Transfer project involves pumping water from the Murrumbidgee River at Angle Crossing within the ACT and transferring it through an underground pipeline to Burra Creek in New South Wales (NSW). This flows into Googong Reservoir though the Commonwealth Government's Googong foreshores.
Why is it needed?
The Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer forms part of ACTEW's continued response to securing diverse water supplies for the region and to address climate change and help combat more frequent droughts.
How will it help?
The project will improve water security for the ACT and region by making better use of Googong Reservoir, our largest water storage. We will be able to supplement storage in Googong with Murrumbidgee River water extracted during times of good river flows. We forecast the project will provide between eight to ten gigalitres of additional water per year into Googong Reservoir.
This may increase with the addition of water transferred via the Tantangara reservoir in NSW, subject to agreement. This provides us with much greater flexibility to secure the ACT and region's water supplies.
How will this affect downstream Murrumbidgee flows?
Water extracted from the Murrumbidgee River will be in accordance with environmental flow guidelines which are designed to protect the river system.
What are some of the community impacts?
Every effort will be made to minimise the impacts of construction on the local community.
Where land is directly impacted a construction easement is required in order to ensure safe construction, maintenance and future operation.
In most situations, the right of way for construction will be 40m or less and a permanent easement of 15m will be registered on Title.
Remediation works will ensure that affected land is restored to as close to original condition as is possible.
What is the approval process?
This project will require environmental, economic and social assessments to be lodged with the ACT, NSW and Commonwealth governments for approval. This process includes continued community consultation over an eighteen month period.
Public exhibition of the environmental assessments is expected to commence in mid 2009. This will present a formal opportunity for community members to input ideas, raise issues and provide feedback directly to government decision makers.
How long will it take?
It is expected that the project will be completed in 2011, with an estimated 15-18 months of construction.