Weir works right to go Council set to begin pre-construction on $30m dam

CHARTERS Towers Regional Council has been given the green light to start preliminary works on the Big Rocks Weir.

A deal between the council and Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham will see the council act as proponent for $3 million worth of pre-construction activities.

It will be an economic shot in the arm for the regional centre, with the council expected to use local contractors to complete the preliminary works. The initial $3 million from the Queensland government is part of a larger $30 million funding for the project that was committed as part of the Townsville Regional Recovery Action Plan.

Townsville Enterprise Limited conducted a business case study into the weir earlier this year, which suggested the project would generate an economic boost of $35 million annually to the Charters Towers region. It is understood the initial pre-construction works will strengthen this business case study, as well as further research into the project.

A handshake deal between Dr Lynham and Charters Towers Mayor Frank Beveridge was reached last week, with the project expected to be signed off in the coming days. The suspension of parliament ahead of the state election will not delay pre-construction works.

Dr Lynham said water security was critical to jobs, growth and North Queensland’s economic recovery.

“The Palaszczuk government has committed to build Big Rocks Weir to support local agriculture, create jobs and improve water security for Charters Towers,” he said.

“The government will provide council with $3 million to conduct environmental and other regulatory approvals, geotechnical assessments, detailed weir design, and water product and pricing definition.

“The Palaszczuk government wants to support council to undertake these necessary activities so construction can start as soon as possible.”

Cr Beveridge said council would work closely with the state government, through water service provider Sunwater, to fast track pre-construction activities. The 10,000 megalitre dam on the Burdekin River is expected to provide more than 170 construction jobs and ongoing employment in the agricultural sector of 117 jobs.