The Queensland government will consider extending a pipeline that runs from Wivenhoe Dam to Toowoomba on to reach the drought-stricken Southern Downs region.
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But the Toowoomba Regional Council has said they should have been consulted more before Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcment, and that the move could place excess pressure on Toowoomba's water supply.
Ms Palaszczuk today announced the 87km extension to the pipeline would be among options considered in a $1 million feasiblity study into contingency water supply options.
"A pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook dam already exists to augment Toowoomba's water supply in times of drought," she said.
"It makes sense to now explore whether it is feasible to extend the supply network to Warwick.
"By linking Warwick through Toowoomba to the South East Queensland Water Grid, we could significantly improve supply security to the city and those who depend on it."
Leslie Dam, which supplies water for Warwick is down to less than 6 per cent capacity, with it estimated that the town has a maximum of 14 months of supply based on current rainfall predictions.
Ms Palaszczuk estimated that a pipeline could be built in one to two years but that she would aim to accelerate that as much as possible.
Southern Downs mayor Tracey Dobie said a guaranteed water supply was essential to the future of the region.
"Some of our farmers haven't had income for over five years and this will mean our industries can stay alive," she said.
Seqwater, operator of the South East Queensland Water Grid, will lead the study, reporting back to government on the preferred option by April 2020.
Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio said any decision made will have a major impact on the Toowoomba region.
"We're open to the feasibility study taking place, but I'm deeply disappointed we weren't more involved in the consultation process considering we are a significant stakeholder that will be impacted," he said.
"While I'm sympathetic to the needs of Southern Downs and have been in ongoing discussions with their Mayor on potential water solutions, I also have a responsibility to the people of the Toowoomba Region and need to make sure our long-term water security is secured."
Toowoomba Regional Council water and waste committee chairwoman Nancy Sommerfield raised concerns on how the decision could place further strain on the existing water assets.
"As part of our current agreement we're able to pump 10,000ML/year which provides the Toowoomba Region with water security until 2049," Cr Sommerfield said.
"We're dependent on the water from the pipeline to Wivenhoe and are pumping for 10 months of the year to reach this allocation, which allows two months for necessary maintenance.
"If we were required to pump more water through that pipeline, this would place a great deal of strain on the current asset, making it more vulnerable to failure. It would also bring our water security from 2049 forward considerably.
"This drought is having a terrible impact on many regions, not just ours and the Southern Downs, but rather than reducing the Toowoomba Region's current water path dramatically, which in turn will impact our resident's water use, I encourage both the State Government and Southern Downs to come together with our Council to discuss potential solutions that would bring long-term water security to everyone. The door has always been open for discussions, but no one has knocked yet."
