The Labor Government is proposing to lower the Paradise Dam by over 17 meters in a move that would devastate local farmers and the entire region according to Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett.
Paradise Dam was completed in 2005 and was specifically designed to provide water for irrigation for the agriculture sector in the Wide Bay/Burnett region but sustained damage in 2013 from flooding which compromised its safety and viability.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said there is absolutely no way we can allow this to happen.
“If the level at the dam dropped by 17 meters, water security would be a thing of the past for our region, putting properties, our agriculture industry and lives at risk,” he said.
“This cannot be an option, our farmers rely on this dam.
“By drastically reducing the amount of water available for irrigation, you are destroying the lifeline of the region and putting high value tree crops at risk.
“Crops including macadamias and avocadoes that require a constant and reliable water supply are just some of the growth crops in our region that will be put at risk.
“These industries are high value and create thousands of local jobs. It is simply inexcusable to put these industries and their jobs on the line.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington slammed the move by Labor, describing the decision to lower the dam walls instead of repairing them as an abandonment of the people of the Wide Bay/Burnett region.
“Instead of making an investment into the region’s future and economic prosperity, Annastacia Palaszczuk has caved to inner-city green groups, once again putting the needs of those in regional Queensland second to those in the Southeast,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Worse still, Labor neglected the safety of Queenslanders by not resolving the dam safety issues putting Queenslander’s lives at risk.
“It is an absolute disgrace that Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are ignoring the communities this decision actually affects.
“The LNP acted by completing emergency repairs to the spillway dissipater and reinforced the primary spillway apron in June 2013 to stabilise the damage.”
Ms Frecklington said that in contrast to the Palaszczuk Labor Government the LNP had a plan for developing the state’s water assets and infrastructure, creating jobs for our rural and regional communities.
“If elected, an LNP Government will raise the Burdekin Falls Dam wall, get the Urannah and Nullinga Dam projects shovel ready and finally deliver Rockwood Weir for Central Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We will also develop of a 30-year water security plan for Queensland in consultation with Seqwater, Sunwater and local governments and establish a mechanism for reviewing the current price targets.
“The LNP has a plan for water in Queensland unlike Labor who clearly has no plan.”
12-10-18