‘Nation-building’ project pledge LNP draws on vision for dam scheme

THE LNP has upped the ante on developing North Queensland’s water resources, releasing engineering drawings on the proposed New Bradfield Scheme on the Burdekin River.

The scheme is an extension of the Hells Gates Dam proposal for which the federal government has provided $24 million for environmental studies now under way.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington released the engineering drawings the party commissioned from engineering group SMEC Holdings while campaigning at the Mendi Group’s Townsville Graded Sanded quarry in the city yesterday.

The concept drawings show a 3290m-long main dam wall about 120m high on the upper Burdekin River and three saddle dams, 4750m, 452m and 267m long.

Ms Frecklington ( pictured) said the LNP’S New Bradfield Scheme, costing about $15 billion, would supercharge the North Queensland economy and create a decade of secure jobs for the region.

She said the project would take “around a decade” to build and that she would “like to see” it started within the first term of an LNP government.

“The New Bradfield Scheme will stimulate the whole Queensland economy but the biggest benefit will be felt in Townsville,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The scheme will hold more water than 28 Sydney Harbours and its construction will be the biggest job-creation project North Queensland has ever seen.

“This is a nation-building infrastructure project that will secure Townsville’s economic future for generations to come.”

The LNP said the New Bradfield Scheme had been devised by Sir Frank Moore, the father of Queensland tourism, and Sir Leo Hielscher, a former under-treasurer and Queensland Treasury Corporation chairman.

It said its hydro-electric plant would provide enough power for 800,000 homes. Water is to be piped to the state’s west by gravity-fed tunnels through the Great Dividing Range and the water used to irrigate a new agricultural food bowl larger than Tasmania.

LNP candidate for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said the New Bradfield Scheme would benefit workers and businesses across the electorate.

“The New Bradfield Scheme will stimulate every part of our local economy,” Ms Marr said. “There will be more work for construction and engineering firms, more jobs for tradies and more money pumped into our local shops and small businesses.” Mendi Group managing director Jeff Doyle said he had no doubt the scheme would be positive for his business.

Labor’s Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham said the government would soon have a panel of experts working to advise on a “21st century version” of the Bradfield Scheme that was feasible and affordable. Dr Lynham said the LNP’S drawings were marked “not for construction” and proved the opposition had no plan.