The Building Queensland report on the future options for Paradise Dam has all but dried up said the Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett.
Mr Bennett took to the floor of State Parliament last week to ask the Minister for Water when the people of Bundaberg and Burnett can expect a decision, with the report now six months overdue. *
“Building Queensland’s very own Options Assessment states a decision upon the preferred long?term option(s) of the dam was due at the end of 2020,” he said. **
“Enough is enough, it’s now six months on and our farmers and growers are still in limbo, waiting for answers about their future.
“Water allocations are due to be announced on 1 July 2021 and producers are very concerned about how much water they will actually be able to access.
“Sunwater’s estimated water allocations could be as low as 10 percent.
“How can any farmer be expected to make a decision about their future without knowing if there’s any future water security?
“Our growers provide the food on our tables, including that of Minister Butcher’s.
“I’m sure he enjoys his dinner so the least he can do it let our farmers know if they will be able to grow it or not!
“They can’t be kept in the dark any longer.
“I’m calling on the Minister to simply release that date on the future options report and show our growers a little respect.”
* Question On Notice on asked Friday 18th June: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/876-2021.pdf
** BQ Options Paper (bottom page 5): https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/54554/Building-Queensland-Paradise-Dam-Options-Assessment.pdf
ENDS.