Pipeline project review up for comment
An independent environmental assessment of the planned Orange to Carcoar water pipeline has found the pipeline “is unlikely to result in a significant adverse environmental impact.”
The 134-page review by environment consultants Geolyse was on public exhibition for 30 days for community comment. The deadline for comment was Tuesday 26 April.
The proposed project is a 57 kilometre 2-way underground pipeline to carry drinking-water between Orange and Carcoar, via Spring Hill, Millthorpe and Blayney. It is proposed that most of the pipeline would be built in road corridors, with only small sections in private agricultural land.
The project is being overseen by Orange City Council and Central Tablelands Water with funding worth $21.2 million from the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Water Security for Regions program.According to the Review of Environmental Factors (REF), the pipeline can be built “without degrading the health, diversity and productivity of the environment for future generations and without jeopardising biological diversity or ecological integrity.” The review finds the project “does not require any change to existing water access licenses”.
The deadline for community comments is Tuesday 26 April, 2016.
The Orange to Carcoar project is one element of the larger ‘Central Tablelands Regional Water Security Pipeline Project’ that will see a pipeline built by Cabonne Council from Orange to Molong Dam, to supply drinking water to the villages of Yeoval and Cumnock.
The review finds the potential for adverse environment impact is primarily restricted to the pipeline’s construction phase.
The proposed pipeline route would cross nineteen watercourses and work would happen in heritage conservation areas, as well in or near endangered ecological communities.
The review recommends measures to prevent potential heritage impact and finds that the construction work won’t result in potential pollution if erosion and sediment control practices are used and remediation measures are implemented progressively.
The review (REF) document is available in two parts.
Review of Environmental Factors Part 1
Review of Environmental Factors Part 2
A hard copy of the REF is available for inspection at the Orange Civic Centre, corner of Byng Street and Lords Place, Orange.
Submissions from the public are welcome and the exhibition period is for 30 Days concluding at 5pm on Tuesday, 26 April 2016.
Written comments on the REF can be :
- emailed to council@orange.nsw.gov.au or
- mailed to PO Box 35 Orange NSW 2800 or
- hand delivered to the Orange Civic Centre, corner of Byng Street and Lords Place Orange.
Consultation has concluded
