Department of the Environment

Archived media releases and speeches

The Hon Tony Burke MP

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Murrumbidgee to Googong pipeline given federal environmental approval

Media release
29 October 2010

Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, has today approved the ACTEW Murrumbidgee to Googong pipeline with strict environmental conditions.

These environmental conditions are designed to ensure that the pipeline remains environmentally sustainable, Tony Burke said today.

"After considering my department's thorough environmental assessment, expert advice, and the public comments received, I have concluded that this project can go ahead without unacceptable environmental impacts," Mr Burke said.

"The strict conditions set on this project, which were developed with help from a fish and environmental flow expert, is designed ensure the project is environmentally sustainable, and that nationally threatened species will be protected.

"Before any work can begin, ACTEW must provide for my approval a plan detailing how river flow will be measured and maintained.

"The company must also develop a plan detailing how impacts on nationally threatened fish species, like the Murray cod, trout cod, and Macquarie perch, will be minimised.

"ACTEW must also survey and map out the location of a number of plant species and demonstrate how it will minimise the project's impacts on these nationally threatened plants, as well as on the pink-tailed worm lizard.

"I've also set a specific condition to ensure that Burra Creek is protected."

Mr Burke said his responsibility for this project's approval related specifically to matters protected under national environment law-the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999-including nationally threatened species and ecological communities.

"The assessment was done by public environment report, a comprehensive level of assessment that ensures potential environmental impacts are properly dealt with," Mr Burke said.

Approval decision