Pimpama Coomera Waterfuture - news archive
Alliance is with you – as dreams are turned into reality at Pimpama-Coomera
18 May 2006
A new Alliance has been formed that will turn tomorrow’s dreams for water use, conservation and recycling into reality.
The special group involving Gold Coast Water and private sector partnership will be charged with the responsibility of creating one of Australia’s first truly water-sustainable communities according to Gold Coast City Council’s Water Sustainability Committee Chairwoman Cr Daphne McDonald.
The project centres on the fast-growing Pimpama-Coomera area in the Gold Coast corridor.
“Because it is a new area that is being developed, this presents the opportunity to put our plans for the future into reality today,” she said.
“As much as wastewater pipelines and treatment revolutionised the way we manage the disposal of human waste, this next phase – under the Pimpama Coomera Waterfuture Master Plan – will pioneer the way for communities of the future.
“The Master Plan will see the introduction of recycled water and rainwater into homes as substitutes, in relevant areas of use, for high-quality drinking water.
“At the moment we use drinking water to hose gardens and flush toilets when recycled or rainwater could do the job.
“As well as dramatically curbing water consumption, the Master Plan will ensure more and more of our recycled water is put to good use – rather than being dumped”.
Cr McDonald said an Alliance between Gold Coast Water and engineering consultants MWH has been formed to deliver results by turning the Master Plan into action and infrastructure.
The team is currently working on the development of a new wastewater treatment plant and recycled water treatment plant in Pimpama. The recycled water treatment plant will produce the recycled water that will flow to homes throughout the region.
The Master Plan was endorsed by Gold Coast City Council in 2004 following extensive planning and consultation with the local community, residents and interest groups.
“The Pimpama Coomera Alliance will combine knowledge and expertise from Gold Coast Water and private industry to form a unique partnership to deliver a project of this scope,” said Cr McDonald.
“As the implementation of the Master Plan progresses, other partners will be integrated into the Alliance.
“Indeed this will be a collaborative effort to manage and use water resources wisely and it will involve customers, the community, tradespeople, developers and Gold Coast Water.”
Area Councillor
Area Councillor David Power said the Pimpama Coomera region was a new urban development, which would experience a high proportion of the City’s population growth in the near future.
“About 150,000 people are expected to live in the region by the year 2056,” he said.
“As such, the ability of the Pimpama Coomera region to sustain future growth and economic prosperity will rely heavily upon proper management and use of water resources.
“Plans to implement smarter water systems now will position the region at the forefront of Australia’s water sustainability goals.
“Indeed what will unfold here is the first chapter in a futuristic view of water supply and conservation practices,” said Cr Power.
Work in progress
Cr McDonald said that, importantly, the Pimpama Coomera project was an essential and integral part of the Gold Coast Waterfuture Strategy 2006/2056 - a blueprint for ensuring a water supply for current and future generations of Gold Coasters.
She said although the Master Plan would be implemented progressively over the next 50 years, the Alliance had responsibility for managing the multi-phase rollout of a number of programs.
The first issues in the pipeline for the Alliance were:
- Construction of wastewater and recycled water treatment plants by the end of 2007 and
- Construction of wastewater and recycled water network infrastructure by the end of 2007
An ‘Expression of Interest’ process for the construction of the wastewater and recycled water treatment plants is currently underway, with a contract expected to be awarded by August 2006. Work should start on this part of the project in the second half of 2006.
“In a nutshell, this is another landmark event for Gold Coast Water and the community it serves,” said Cr McDonald.
“At Pimpama Coomera residents will be involved in an innovative approach to ensuring sustainability of water services.”
Cr McDonald said Gold Coast Water would be continuing its high level of community involvement during the implementation of the Master Plan by continuing to consult and involve all sectors of the community.
“GCW and the Alliance will continue to proactively approach and discuss the program of work with the Gold Coast community, especially those within the Pimpama and Coomera areas,” she said.