Building dams ‘vital’
MAVERICK MP Bob Katter has challenged members of the North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) to a debate over whether more dams, such as the proposed Big Rocks Weir, should be built on the Burdekin River system.
Mr Katter’s challenge follows a 7 News report in which NQCC’S John Connell said there were many other opportunities to use the money that was being set aside for dams.
The Member for Kennedy said Katter’s Australian Party had long advocated for the building of Hells Gates Dam and the Big Rocks Weir on the Burdekin River, representing the views of people in the North.
He said the NQCC and its views represented the people of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and not North Queensland.
“They are the voice of people who have never set foot off a pavement,” he said.
“Their towering ignorance knocks nature out of balance, and here they are at it again.
“Building Hells Gates Dam will mean all the underground aquifers up the Burdekin River will be fully charged all of the time,” Mr Katter said.
“There will be a much greater run and stream flow in the Burdekin. Most of your rainfall goes straight into the aquifers, but if your aquifers are fully charged then it will go down the river.
“This has been the experience on the Leichhardt River in North West Queensland.
“The stream flow has increased since they built Lake Julius at Kajabbi.”
NQCC co-ordinator Crystal Falknau said it was important to future generations that the river remained healthy and there was not another Murray-darling catastrophe.
The NQCC hoped that with the Burdekin Basin Water Plan due for review in the next few years that the plan would outline a sustainable future that had ecological, social and economic benefits for people, communities and nature, Ms Falknau said.
“It is important that the Burdekin Basin Water Plan reflects the current and future needs of all North Queenslanders in a way that is innovative and fair,” she said.
“All major projects proposed for the Burdekin Basin not yet considered in the plan should be put on hold until the review is complete, to ensure the best long-term outcomes.
“This remarkable river belongs to all of us and its future affects us all.”
Mr Katter said that not developing North Queensland’s water resources would be an act of stupidity as the region would be one of the wettest countries on Earth if it were a separate nation.