THE LNP has committed to building more than $1.3 billion worth of critical water infrastructure and dams across the state.
LNP leader Tim Nicholls said under the LNP the Urannah Dam, Nullinga Dam, Rookwood Weir and raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam will finally become a reality.
He said this project formed part of the LNP’s $1.3b plan to build critical water infrastructure and dams across the state.
“Labor hates dams and refuses to progress them,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Our plan will see the first dams built in regional Queensland in more than a decade.
The Queensland Dam Company will be Queensland’s version of the Snowy Hydro Authority.
- Tim Nicholls
“We will fund and complete the planning and Environmental Impact Studies for Urannah, Nullinga and the Burdekin Falls Dam projects to get them shovel-ready.
“We will also upgrade the Haughton Channel in Townsville and duplicate the Ross River Dam Pipeline.
“We will build the Rookwood Weir and once the EIS and feasibility study for Urannah is finished, we will build it too. This is our plan for water security in Queensland.
“These projects have stalled for too long under Annastacia Palaszczuk, who is captured by green groups.”
LNP deputy leader Deb Frecklington said the LNP would set up a Queensland Dam Company based in regional Queensland to ensure these projects got underway.
“The Dam Co will be Queensland’s version of the Snowy Hydro Authority, the company set up nearly 70 years ago to sort out and deliver the Snowy Hydro Scheme, a project which changed this country.
“It will allow for investment in our dams by the Federal Government, which has billions of dollars ready and available for dams and water infrastructure – we need to get our share.
“Only the LNP will build dams in regional Queensland because we understand that these projects create jobs, support industry and agriculture and guarantee water security.”
LNP opposition agriculture spokesman and Burdekin MP, Dale Last, said the LNP’s dam plan would be a game-changer for Central and North Queensland.
“Not only will these dams support thousands of jobs across the state, they will also bring a massive economic boost to towns and cities doing it tough like such as Proserpine, Bowen, Ayr and Mackay,” Mr Last said.
“The last dam built in regional Queensland was the Paradise Dam near Bundaberg more than 12 years ago.
“With growing water demand for food and fibre production and the development of the Galilee Basin, Labor have refused to entertain building new dams – the LNP will build the dams we need.”
LNP’s dam promises
Urannah Dam
Stage 1 of the $780 million Urannah Dam will have a storage capacity of 863,000 megalitres and would yield 146,000ML a year (after environmental release) which is equal to 1.7 Sydney Harbours. The LNP will start the feasibility study within the first 100 days and will contribute $10m to develop a $20m Environmental Impact Statement. We will be seeking a matching commitment from the Federal Government. Once the EIS and feasibility study is complete, Urannah Dam will be built.
Nullinga Dam
The LNP will contribute $10m to develop a $20m environmental impact statement to progress the Nullinga Dam project in Far North Queensland. A matching commitment from the Federal Government will be sought. Nullinga Dam has been proposed as a future water supply to serve growing urban demand in Cairns and to stimulate irrigated agriculture in the region, by supplementing existing supplies.
Rookwood Weir
Stage 1 of the $260m Rookwood Weir project would have a capacity of 65,400ML. The LNP will deliver this project with the Federal Coalition which committed $130m to the project more than 500 days ago.
Burdekin Falls Dam
The LNP will commit $10m towards a $20m environmental impact statement to raise the Burdekin Falls Dam by 2m which will increase the storage capacity by 590,000ML to 2446,000ML. A matching commitment from the Federal Government will be sought.
Haughton Channel Upgrade and Ross River Dam Pipeline Duplication
The LNP will invest $225m upgrading the Haughton Channel and duplicating the Ross River Dam pipeline. An LNP Government will call for expressions of interest for construction and design contractors within the first 100 days of government. The new pipeline will provide an additional 234ML/day of raw water supply, bringing the total capacity to more than 356ML/day.
