CS Energy is supporting drought relief by donating surplus water from the Callide Power Station to farmers and graziers that have the Stag Creek and Awoonga-Callide pipelines crossing their property.
A total of 100 megalitres will be donated, with a maximum of two megalitres available per landholder.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham said the water donation is just a small way the state-owned CS Energy is giving back to the Central Queensland community.
“Due to the operational profile of Callide Power Station this year, I am advised that the power station would not use all of the water that had been purchased,” Dr Lynham said.
“We understand the impact that the drought is having on the region, so we decided to donate this surplus water to drought affected landholders along the pipelines.”
CS Energy is partnering with Sunwater, which operates both pipelines, to distribute and administer the water through its pipeline network.
CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills said the company had been part of the Central Queensland community for many years and that donating the water “was the right thing to do”.
“Each year, CS Energy purchases water from the Gladstone Area Water Board’s Awoonga Dam and it is pumped to Callide Dam via the Awoonga-Callide and Stag Creek pipelines,” Mr Bills said.
“It is important to note that this is a one-off situation and we don’t anticipate having surplus water next year,” he said.
“But we know that every drop counts, which is why we are making this water available now to local landholders, for stock and pasture feeding.”
For more information on eligibility and how to apply for the water, please visit Sunwater’s website. Applications close on 28 February 2020.