What we're doing
Tantangara Transfer
In October 2007, the ACT Government announced a range of new water supply projects, which included pursuing the possibility of the Tantangara Transfer, as a project that would help make us less dependent on rainfall in our local region, and further secure our water supply.
It is envisaged that it will take until the end of 2009 to complete political, legal and commercial work on this project.
What is the Tantangara Transfer option?
The Tantangara Transfer involves transferring water from the regulated Murrumbidgee River to the ACT via the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
This would involve:
- Buying NSW water entitlements from irrigators on the Murrumbidgee River;
- Agree on commercial arrangements with Snowy Hydro Limited for the storage and release of water from Tantangara Reservoir;
- Put in place arrangements between the NSW and ACT Governments to allow for transfer of water from NSW to ACT.
- Deliver water to the ACT via the Upper Murrumbidgee River.
Why it may be needed?
The Tantangara Transfer will help to combat the drastic effects of climate change on our water supply by giving us access to a source of water less dependent on the ACT local rainfall.
Transfer Options
Many options have been assessed in terms of a mechanism to physically transfer the water from Tantangara to the ACT. The preferred option at this time is to release the water into the Murrumbidgee River, allow it to flow to the ACT, then pump it from the Murrumbidgee River to Googong Reservoir via a pipeline.
Regulatory and Commercial Issues
Inter-Governmental arrangements are required to enable purchased water to be transferred from irrigators downstream of the ACT and be stored in the Snowy Mountains Scheme, in the Tantangara Reservoir. Commercial negotiations are also required for the storage and release of water from Snowy Hydro infrastructure.
How long will it take?
It is envisaged that it will take until the end of 2009 to complete political, legal and commercial work on this option.