THE LNP has promised to invest $10 million towards the environmental impact statement to help ensure the development of Nullinga Dam in Far North Queensland.
Nullinga Dam is on the Walsh River in the Atherton Tableland is proposed as a future water supply to serve growing urban demand in Cairns. It is also expected to stimulate irrigated agriculture in the region, by supplementing existing supplies.
LNP Hinchinbrook MP and northern development spokesman Andrew Cripps said Labor had put the infrastructure project in the too-hard basket.
The project formed part of the LNP’s $1.3 billion plan to build water infrastructure and dams across the state.
“Our funding to get an EIS done will get the project to a shovel-ready stage,” Mr Cripps said.
“Labor have neglected to do any of the work to get the Nullinga Dam to a point where we can start construction.
“We want to build dams, the Federal Coalition wants to build dams but Labor is standing in the way.
“They don’t understand what this will mean for local industry and agriculture.
“Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk who has refused all federal funding for dams in Queensland because of green group pressure, we will partner with the Federal Coalition to get the EIS done.”
LNP Candidate for Hill, Mario Quagliata, said water restrictions in Mareeba had reignited calls for improved water security in the region.
“Nullinga Dam will be a future water supply to serve the growing the urban demand in Cairns and to boost agriculture in the region,” he said.
“A site on the Walsh River in the Atherton Tablelands has been identified as the best spot to guarantee our water supply.
“Locals are telling me they need water security to grow their businesses.”
