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NUMBERS CRUNCHED: Trevor Herse
and John Hodgkinson's solution could have averted the destruction of the 1974 and 2011 floods. |
THE men behind a bold plan to flood and drought-proof southeast Queensland will get the chance to present their proposal to the State Water Supply Minister.
This follows a report in The Sunday-Mail that revealed the clever dream of accountant John Hodgkinson, Gold Coast retiree Trevor Herse and grazier Ron McMah.
The trio want little-known Borumba Dam near Imbil connected by pipeline to Wivenhoe and Somerset and expanded into a mega-facility capable of holding two million mega-litres - four times the volume of Sydney Harbour.
The integration would have a dual purpose. Water could be pumped to Borumba from Wivenhoe and Somerset before a major flood, and in times of drought it could be pumped back.
Mr Hodgkinson said he welcomed the opportunity to meet with Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Mark McArdle, along with department representatives.
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LIKES SOLUTION: John Craigie at his house at Pine Mountain which flooded in January 2011 during the Brisbane Floods. |
He said he believed the financial case was crucial to the proposal advancing.
"We believe it is cost effective when compared with the other main option of desalination plants and this is something we will be trying to get across," he said.
The trio believe their project would take three years to complete and cost an estimated $1.9 billion, comprising $1.4b for a new 300m high dam wall and $500m for the pipeline.
Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said the Queensland Government was open to all ideas in planning for SEQ's water future.
"I will be meeting Ron McMah, John Hodgkinson, and Trevor Herse to discuss their proposal, with a representative from Seqwater,'' Mr McArdle said.
"We believe it is cost effective when compared with the other main option of desalination plants and this is something we will be trying to get across," he said.
The trio believe their project would take three years to complete and cost an estimated $1.9 billion, comprising $1.4b for a new 300m high dam wall and $500m for the pipeline.
Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said the Queensland Government was open to all ideas in planning for SEQ's water future.
"I will be meeting Ron McMah, John Hodgkinson, and Trevor Herse to discuss their proposal, with a representative from Seqwater,'' Mr McArdle said.
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"We've learned from the 'super storm' that hit New York and the floods that devastated southwest England last year, that it is impossible to 100 per cent flood-proof SEQ.
"However, we can never stop learning and I am keen to hear more about their proposal and suggestions concerning flood mitigation.''
Mr McArdle said that the previous government had rejected the proposal, but he was open to meeting with the trio.
"All ideas are on the table as we look at maximising flood protection for SEQ,'' he said.
"If the proposal was to be considered, it would be up to Seqwater to thoroughly assess its viability against a number of criteria including future water security, infrastructure costs and environment and financial considerations.
"This would be a lengthy exercise."
This meeting follows the launch of the Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper by the Newman Government in December.
This paper will guide the development of a 30 Year Water Sector Strategy to ensure affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water and sewerage services across Queensland.
"However, we can never stop learning and I am keen to hear more about their proposal and suggestions concerning flood mitigation.''
Mr McArdle said that the previous government had rejected the proposal, but he was open to meeting with the trio.
"All ideas are on the table as we look at maximising flood protection for SEQ,'' he said.
"If the proposal was to be considered, it would be up to Seqwater to thoroughly assess its viability against a number of criteria including future water security, infrastructure costs and environment and financial considerations.
"This would be a lengthy exercise."
This meeting follows the launch of the Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper by the Newman Government in December.
This paper will guide the development of a 30 Year Water Sector Strategy to ensure affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water and sewerage services across Queensland.
16.1.13
