Steady progress on major projects
Steady progress is being made on plans to construct a pipeline between Bega and Yellowpinch Dam, near Merimbula, to address long term water supply problems in the south of the Shire. Yellowpinch Dam is one of two water storage areas on the Tantawanglo-Kiah water supply system, which services thousands of Bega Valley Shire residents including those in Candelo, Wolumla, Tura Beach, Merimbula, Pambula, Pambula Beach, South Pambula, Eden and Boydtown.
Drought conditions in recent years have impacted significantly on water storage levels throughout the Shire but particularly on Yellowpinch Dam, necessitating long running water restrictions in the Shire’s south to help ensure security of supply.
The construction of the pipeline – allowing water to be transported to the dam from the Bega River alluvial aquifer – is at the top of the Bega Valley Water Working Group’s list of priorities.
The working group was established by Mayor David Hede in 2003 to look at long term water storage and supply issues. Members were advised in December 2004 that an agency focus meeting had been held to identify issues along the proposed pipeline route, an aerial survey had been undertaken, a procurement strategy developed and a yield study, to determine the future secure yield of the Tantawanglo-Kiah water supply system, was underway. Proposals and prices had been sought for the concept design and environmental assessments.
Manager of the Bega Valley Water Supply Augmentation Project, Ross Bailey from the NSW Department of Commerce, said the estimated cost of the pipeline and related infrastructure including pumping stations and balance tanks was likely to be in the vicinity of $15 million. He said the pipeline diameter was likely to be 450mm – allowing up to 10 megalitres of water to be transferred per day from Bega, supplementing the three megalitres of current inflow per day from Tantwanglo Creek. Ross Bailey said the concept design and environmental assessment were planned for early this year with tenders for detailed design and construction to be called in April 2005. Construction was expected to be completed in late 2006.
Meanwhile, Council is one step closer to selecting a preferred site for a new central waste facility. Council resolved in late November to undertake further geotechnical studies on a site south of Bega before deciding whether or not to proceed with a full Environmental Impact Statement.
Independent consultants had identified more than 40 potential sites for a central waste facility between Pambula and Bega. The one on which Council will undertake further studies has been identified by consultants as the preferred site based on a range of different factors. These include location, topography, geology/soil conditions, access and its distance from homes and water bodies.
Council has been searching for a new waste facility site for several years because of diminishing space at its remaining landfills in Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden. Council has assured local residents that the new waste facility would not be a ‘super tip’ thanks to a significant increase in recycling levels in recent years and a focus on new waste disposal technologies.
