Dam surprise for mayor

THE first Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones knew about his region potentially being home to two new dams was reading about it in a newspaper.

Premier Campbell Newman yesterday announced the possibility of building dams on Tenthill Creek and Lockyer Creek, along with another six sites around the south-east.

The sites, near Murphys Creek and Gatton respectively, are being investigated as flood prevention options, although the Premier stressed that it was “early days” in the process.

However, Cr Jones said he was “surprised” to first hear about the potential sites in the news.

“I would have preferred they came and spoke to us first, because if we were satisfied it was a good idea we would get behind it,” Cr Jones said.

“Instead, they went to the media.

“Generally, we think that the more water that can be stored the better; however, we certainly wouldn’t be prepared to say these (dams) are good or bad.”

Cr Jones said he was in favour of building infrastructure to pump excess water from dams into aquifers.

Mr Newman said dams at the identified sites had the potential to protect “thousands” of buildings.

“This is very early days and I stress to those landowners in the areas affected that there is a lot of work that needs to be undertaken before any plans are implemented,” Mr Newman said.

“But it is our duty to do whatever work we can to investigate all possible options.”

The study will be released before Christmas, Mr Newman said.