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Macquarie River to Orange Pipeline Project - Orange Drought Relief Connection

I make the following submissions in relation to the Macquarie River Pipeline Project.

It is my submission that the project be assessed and determined on its merits, and not on the perceived economic or political interests of other communities which have not suffered the debilitating effects of water shortages in the manner that Orange has.

It is noted that the submission of the Member for Dubbo dated 15 October 2012, states that he "does not favour the adoption of a water supply enhancement proposal that facilitates the growth and expansion of the city of Orange at the expense of other communities" and also that the pipeline "should not be considered if construction will lead to the detriment of surrounding districts by stunting or stymieing their potential for growth and expansion".

It is submitted that the argument that construction of the pipeline will somehow stymie the growth of other communities, including Dubbo's, is not supported by any objective evidence.

In the case of Dubbo, there is a significant body of water between it and the proposed pipeline, being Burrendong Dam, which provides water security for that city. It is submitted that Dubbo would not be impacted by the proposed pipeline or any other water security project in Orange.

It is noted that the submission of the Member for Bathurst dated 15 October 2012 states that "consideration needs to be given to ensure that Bathurst is not placed in an untenable situation whereby future growth can't proceed because of the growth of Orange and the Macquarie River Pipeline Project".

It is submitted that any suggestion that construction of the pipeline will place Bathurst in an untenable situation whereby future growth can't proceed is similarly not supported by any objective evidence.

Bathurst, which is upstream of the proposed pipeline, already possesses a significant dam and was virtually unaffected by water shortages during the recent drought.

Conclusion

The proposed pipeline should be assessed and determined on its merits. What is clear is that there is no evidence to suggest it would have any detrimental economic impacts on neighbouring cities.

It is submitted that the assessment of the proposed drought relief connection for Orange should be made free of perceived external economic and political considerations.

It is further submitted that regional economic growth is not a zero sum game whereby growth in one community has to occur at the expense of another.

The reality is that strong economic growth in any community in the Central West benefits the whole region.

We are all regional Australians and the great communities of the west need to be supporting each other for the benefit of all who are lucky enough to live in this region.

Andrew Gee MP
Member for Orange
15 October 2012

I object to the findings of the Environmental Assessment and justification for the Macquarie River to Orange Pipeline Project, and fully endorse the submission from the Orange and Regional Water Security Alliance and its objections to the Environmental Assessment.

The findings of the EA must be viewed as seriously flawed when the assessment has been completed and reported on a pipeline route for the final critical 5 kilometres of route to a pumping site which has since been rejected by the proponents, and an alternative route and pump site has not been submitted for assessment or public comment.

On these grounds alone the EA should be rejected.

The impact of the final 5 km of the current pipeline route and pump site on the flora and fauna as reported in the EA acknowledges the potential impact on threatened and endanged flora communities and aquatic species, but understates the impact and their value. Such impacts cannot be mitigated against or offsetted despite claims by the proponents.

The EA should be rejected on environmental grounds.

The Project is incorrectly justified by the proponents using underestimated actual and potential secure water yield from existing sources and viable alternatives of expanded stormwater harvesting and bores, and inflated unrestricted water demand for both residential and industrial use.

The EA should be rejected on the grounds that the Project's water security assessment is inaccurate and does not justify the Project as currently proposed.

The Project's operating rules which indicate extraction of 12 ML/day down to river flow rate of 38ML/day seriously underestimates the impact of extractions occurring at such low river flow rates on aquatic fauna. Furthermore the stated intent to pump water into the main storage facility, Suma Park Dam, up to and maintaining a level of 90% capacity, does not allow for the capture of significant rainfall runoff into the Dam which occurs evn under low rainfall events.

The proposed operating rules are seriously flawed and will impact on the aquatic environment of the river, and the more economically viable storage of Suma Park Dam's normal inflows, and are justifiable grounds for rejection of the Project.

As an Orange City Councillor, my views are widely supported by the Orange Community who believe that there are alternative strategies to secure Orange's future water supplies than the Macquarie River to Orange Pipeline Proect.