Water pipeline project not in our interest

 I would like to state my personal assessment of the proposed Papua New Guinea to Australia water pipeline project.

I do not think this project is in the best interest of the country. 

Interest of the country is not just the mere 25 per cent stake that the Government will own but also the environmental and social needs of the people like access to clean, fresh drinking water and the right to maintain current resources for future generations.

Firstly, the project has identified a water reservoir which it will commercialise to feed demand in Queensland and other parts of Australia. 

The natural water reservoir is located in Mount Giluwe in the Imbonggu electorate of Southern Highlands Province and will be piped via a 3.5 diameter pipe. 

Mount Giluwe has the second highest altitude in PNG after Mount Wilhelm in Chimbu Province. 

So from observation I believe that all stream, creek, and river systems in the Southern Highlands, Enga and Hela Provinces are coming from the water reservoir in Mount Giluwe which the project will harvest. 

Thus, the acceptance and implementation of the project will indeed reduce some water levels in the three provinces of Southern Highlands, Hela, and Enga. This will further worsen draught problems which the Mount Giluwe and surrounding areas are prone to as water level will then be already reduced by the commercial activity. 

The costs will be sky high as a result of the marginal damages to people’s livelihoods imposed by the project.

Secondly, the natural water identified in the project is located right in the Highlands of PNG and is surrounded by rugged terrain, which is almost impenetrable. 

The implementation of the project will therefore require significant construction and ground work. 

This will involve excessive costs and involve the destruction of previously untouched, virgin environment and currently beautiful, enchanting landscapes in Southern Highlands.

Thirdly, the project will disturb other commercial and household activities should a major development take place in Imbonggu and Southern Highlands. 

This will create inefficiency in development as well as in commercial household activities. The inefficiency will impose marginal costs which the entire country will shoulder.

Finally, if the Government is very adamant that the project should go ahead, it should consider natural water from the Strickland River and the Beaver (Wasi) Falls which are located to the south of the current project site. 

These water sources have very high gravity as they drain from some 700 to 800 meters above sea level and harnes

Mickey Haharo, Via email