Arrow targets water for Dalby
The multi-million dollar coal seam gas project headed by Arrow Energy will significantly increase the reliability of Dalby’s current base water supply, according to Condamine-Balonne Water Committee (CBWC) Chair Barry O’Shea.
Arrow Energy will allow Dalby Town Council to access water produced as a byproduct of gas extraction for the time that the gas fields are operational.
The scheme forms part of the $10 million Dalby Water Supply Redevelopment Project and will increase the town’s desalinated water supply from two megalitres per day to six.
“It’s the biggest water project ever undertaken by the Dalby Town Council,” Barry says.
“It’s ground-breaking. There’s no other place in Australia where a community’s town water is bolstered like this. It’s a win-win situation, for both the citizens of Dalby and for the gas miner – Arrow Energy.”
The Commonwealth Government has contributed $3.3 million to the project. This figure was matched by the State Government, with Dalby Town Council committing in excess of $2 million and Arrow Energy contributing $1.3 million.
“The security of our water supply is enhanced dramatically by this project. If people know they can come and live in a town with an adequate and secure water supply it makes the town very attractive.”
As Dalby Town Council’s spokesperson for utility services - water and chair of the CBWB, Barry has been involved with local and regional water issues for nine years. He says a reliable long-term water supply is not just about sourcing quality water, but teaching the community to be water wise.
The CBWB committee has established a program where students in middle schools go to local water ways to do hands-on study of the water quality and learn ways to conserve this vital and finite resource.
“These children will more than likely be the future land managers. Whether they be in politics, or business, or farming, they’ll be land managers.”
Arrow Energy's innovative use of a previously wasted water resource is an example of water conservation that it hopes the community will follow -because every drop counts. |
