Dam bid outlines benefits to crops

A NEW dam proposed for the Atherton Tablelands will help create higher-value crops and significantly boost the region’s agricultural industry, a business case has outlined.

Tablelands Regional Council has released the Tablelands Irrigation Strategy Preliminary Business Case (PBC), which examines options for the development of a 35,000ML dam on the Millstream in the Woodleigh area.

Mayor Joe Paronella said the aim was to drive sustained expansion of the region’s agriculture base and provide further opportunities for tourism.

The PBC was developed through funding from the National Water Infrastructure Fund.

“The dam would allow the transition of land use from predominantly beef to a variety of higher-value crops, adding an estimated $1.35 billion to the region’s agricultural industry,” he said.

“Increasing the contemporary tourism attractions in the region has the potential to also add a $9.28 million benefit.

“From here we will be pursuing $7 million funding for the development of a detailed business case and environmental impact assessment to further prove the technical viability, social and environmental impacts, and economic benefits of the dam and associated irrigation infrastructure.”

FNQ Growers chairman Joe Moro backed plans for the proposed dam, saying it would help increase productivity on the land.

“I think it’s a good idea and I think that’s part of what this report shows, that it is a viable option,” he said. “Once you add water you can then increase the productivity per hectare of land and that creates job, creates opportunity, creates wealth and extends through the community.

“That’s really what the Northern Australia push is all about, but we need to get outcomes and that’s the real challenge for the next stage, and that’s not only this project but a lot of other projects.”

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