Regional Water Supply Scheme

The $180 million Regional Water Supply Project involves linking the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour bulk water supplies to meet the demand for water in the region up to and beyond 2030.

The population of the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour region, which will be served by the water supply, is expected to more than double in the next 50 years.

The water supply schemes that now service the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour needed to be upgraded to ensure a reliable and secure bulk water supply during periods of drought.

Two key elements make up the Regional Water Supply Strategy - A 'non-build' Water Efficiency Program and a $180 million 'build' Project which includes:

• a 30,000ML off-stream storage at Shannon Creek - currently being filled with water. It is expected to be filled by November 2010.
• 87km of underground pipeline distribution system linking the Nymboida River to the Reservoir at South Grafton, the Shannon Creek Storage near Coutts Crossing and Karangi Dam at Coffs Harbour - all completed by late 2006.

Timeframe

The emergency construction of the 62.5km of 600mm diameter pipeline from the "Crossover" near Coutts Crossing to Karangi Dam, and the Glenreagh booster pump station, was completed in December 2002 after six months of work.

Construction of the 15.4kms of 900mm diameter pipeline from the Nymboida Weir to the "Crossover" and the 4.2kms of 750mm diameter pipeline from the "Crossover" towards Rushforth Road Reservoir near Grafton was completed in July 2004.

In January 2006, State and Federal approvals were obtained to allow the completion of the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour Regional Water Supply Project, including construction of the 30,000 megalitre Shannon Creek Storage, west of Coutts Crossing, and construction of the only outstanding pipeline section from Blaxland Creek into the Shannon Creek storage site.

The Stage 2 construction works, costing around $99 million, were completed in November 2008.  

These works were for the construction of the Shannon Creek Storage facility including the upgrade and bitumen sealing of sections of the existing Geregarow Road and Shannondale Road, a new bridge over Koukandowie Creek and construction of a 4.6km access road into the storage site, off Shannondale Road.