Water security a main priority

IT seems strange that while we are in the midst of a record-breaking wet season, Far North Queenslanders need to discuss water security.

But that is exactly one of the main priorities Cairns Mayor Bob Manning will be bringing up with politicians he meets with in Canberra this week when he goes in to bat for more infrastructure funding for the Far North.

The Nullinga Dam proposal has been sitting on the table for decades, with the only progress seen to date being a half-hearted preliminary business case that was released this time last year. While there is currently no shortage of water, particularly on the Tablelands with Tinaroo Dam overflowing, thought does need to be given to the future of the region and its bulk water supply. In January last year, Tinaroo was sitting at a record low level, a sight that could very much return in the near future. The revised business case for the Nullinga Dam proposal, which you would dearly hope this time includes MSF Sugar’s intent to use a hell of a lot of the water, is expected to be released next month, just in time for a May federal election.

Mayor Manning says building the dam is a no-brainer, considering the strain a population of 570,000 people estimated to be living in the Far North within the next 30 years, is expected to have on water supplies.

Building the dam sooner than later will not only ensure our taps don’t run dry, it will also boost the region’s agricultural industry, maximising our export and distribution industries, therefore supporting countless jobs across the region.

There has been far too much dam talk, to date. While things are good, let’s make hay while the sun shines. Daniel Bateman daniel.bateman@news.com.au