27th June 2009

By Bill Hoffman

Infrastructure and planning minister Stirling Hinchliffe says people affected by resumptions for the water grid pipeline had a right to expect their properties to be returned to their original state.

He said the Southern Regional Water Pipeline Alliance gained access to properties under the state development and public works organisation act of 1971 which stated that properties had to be fully re instated.

The comments come as anger grows at the alleged theft of topsoil from a number of properties over whom water grid easements had been declared.

The alliance denied yesterday that any of its workers or contractors had already been dismissed as a result of allegations of soil theft.

Mr Hinchliffe said he fully supported the investigation which has been launched into the claims top soil was taken from properties along the Northern Pipeline Inter connector Stage 1 project route.

He said the water pipeline alliance was taking the allegations seriously and had engaged an independent consultant from Price Waterhouse Coopers to investigate the matter fully.

“It’s important the concerns of affected landowners are fully and independently investigated,’’ he said.

“I’m pleased the Alliance is treating this matter seriously and that the investigation will be conducted independently by PWC.

“PWC investigators have already started conducting interviews in relation to the allegations.

“Under normal circumstances top soil dug out in preparation for the laying of the pipeline is stockpiled on site and reused.

“However, wet conditions during the pipeline’s construction did result in some top soil being taken off site.

“In some instances top soil was purchased from local suppliers to ensure the dirt returned was of the same quality as the original.’’

Mr Hinchliffe said the Act allowed landowners a right to claim compensation for any damage to their property arising from activities undertaken.

He said he would ask the Director General to verify reports from the Alliance regarding the independent investigation.

“The Northern Pipeline Inter connector is an important piece of water infrastructure for South East Queensland,’’ he said.

“I appreciate the continued understanding and patience shown by residents impacted by its construction.’’

A pipe layer who was made redundant in November last year yesterday told the Daily that he had seen a lot of excess spoil taken off properties but not top soil.

Shane Morrison said alliance workers had also screened a lot of top soil to ensure that good quality soil was returned to properties.

He said he would be very surprised if anyone was pocketing $500 a truck load for top soil because “A” grade soil from nurseries was cheaper.

Morrison said top soil had been scraped from a 30 metre wide right of way from Morayfield to Nobles Road and retained to one side before a 1.5 metre wide by three metre trench was dug and the 1.2 metre diameter pipe laid on a bed of gravel.

He estimated there would have been 1.5x1.5 metres of spoil left as excess along the whole route which had been removed.

Lawyer Peter Boyce who is representing a number of affected land owners says they should be compensated for any top soil taken and also for any other dirt that was removed.