Frecklington aims to get dam project ‘ shovel ready’
IF RAISING the Burdekin Falls Dam stacks up, an LNP state government would “absolutely” commit to building the project.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington was in Townsville yesterday to officially commit $ 10 million towards an environmental impact statement to get the project “shovel- ready”.
The LNP has committed $ 176 million to building Rookwood Weir, near Rockhampton, as well as funding to get two other North Queensland dams shovel ready.
Ms Frecklington questioned what the State Government’s plan was for dams in Queensland.
“We are looking forward to hearing from the Palaszczuk Government what their plan is for dams in Queensland,” she said.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the State Government had already committed $ 236 million in the Powering North Queensland Plan in June last year to the Burdekin Falls Hydro Power Station, subject to feasibility assessment, and to dam improvement works that would enable a future raising.
“Subject to feasibility investigations and other dam construction works, construction of the hydro power station could start from 2020, and support up to 200 jobs,” he said.
“The improvement works at the dam are currently being considered as part of a busi- ness case between Building Queensland and government- owned SunWater.”
Dr Lynham said the business case would ensure the dam continued to meet design standards, and support about 250 jobs, as well as the proposed hydro- electric power station. “Proper investigation and
feasibility studies are an es- sential part of making respon- sible decisions about spending millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money,” he said. “We welcome the LNP’s cheer leading for what we are already doing.” Kennedy MP Bob Katter called for the Opposition to fund Hells Gates dam instead of looking into raising the wall at the Burdekin.