THE RIGHT PLAN FOR QUEENSLAND’S FUTURE
- Five new or upgraded weirs to be built on Thomson River, Longreach
- New weir on Boyne River, Mundubbera
- New weir on Barambah Creek, Murgon
- LNP to progress planning for Scenic Rim Water for Warrill Irrigation Project
- LNP to rebuild Paradise Dam to fix Labor’s failures
- LNP commits to a review of all current water plans to deliver affordable and reliable water supply for farmers and families to expand agriculture and meet future population demands.
The LNP has today announced a comprehensive plan for water security and capacity to meet the needs of a growing Queensland with new weirs, increased capacity of existing dams and a commitment to review current water plans.
The boost to water security will deliver dependable water supply and flood mitigation, with the LNP committing to deliver weirs including:
- Cooranga Weir built on the Boyne River south of Mundubbera in the North Burnett to secure 10,000ML of water
- Barlil Weir built on Barambah Creek north west of Murgon in the South Burnett to secure 3,000ML of water.
- 5 new or raised weirs along the Thomson River, to secure an additional 900ML of water.
The LNP will also rebuild Paradise Dam and deliver a detailed business case for the Water for Warrill irrigation project, focused on moving high priority water, increasing production volumes and supercharging investment certainty in the Scenic Rim.
The LNP will also urgently embark on a review of water sources for South East Queensland, including how population growth in this corridor will be catered for, after Labor has failed to deliver new water storage over the past decade.
Each of the 23 Queensland regional water plans will be reviewed to determine if unallocated water can be provided to boost agriculture productivity and reduce costs for families, to boost affordability and reliability of supply.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP’s Watertight policy was an achievable and detailed plan to secure the water for Queensland’s future, with new water storage and better water management.
“The LNP’s Watertight plan will turn on the tap for water security now and into the future,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“By building our water storage capacity we will have a watertight plan come drought or flood.
“The LNP will immediately review the pipeline of projects to ensure shovels hit the ground, with affordable and stable water being delivered now and into the future.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Water and the Construction of Dams Deb Frecklington said Labor's failure to deliver new water storage would cost Queenslanders every time they turned on the tap.
“Queenslanders are looking down the barrel of higher water prices in the middle of a cost of living crisis, under Labor’s failures.
“A list of water security projects are shovel ready, but under Labor, they’ve never seen the light of day.
“We will build new water capacity with weirs along the Thomson River in Longreach, Boyne River in Mundubbera and the Baraambah Creek in Murgon, while also rebuilding Labor’s failed Paradise Dam in the Wide Bay.
“The LNP will also deliver a detailed business case for the Water for Warrill irrigation project to benefit agriculture in the Scenic Rim.”
The LNP has also ruled-out recycled water and desalination plants while committing to reviewing all regional water plans in the next four years.
“Projects across the state that have been stalled will have a voice to begin mounting a business case for future funding,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The LNP’s water storage vision means recycled water for drinking, and desalination plants, can be ruled out under the LNP, but they remain on the table for Labor.
“We know desalination is one of the most expensive water sources and astronomically increases the cost of water for Queenslanders.
“Labor is ideologically against dams, which damns the livelihoods of our food bowl farmers and producers.
“Only by increasing our water storage capacity and better managing our water supply and storage can we deliver water security for Queensland’s future.”
LNP Candidate for Gregory Sean Dillon said the LNP’s commitment to the Thomson River Weir Project would support farmers and the Longreach community.
“Water security is a priority for Longreach and it’s a priority for the LNP,” Mr Dillon said.
"As a former Mayor I know only too well the importance of a safe reliable water supply for the community.
“The LNP’s commitment allows for the expansion of industry and therefore jobs integral to the future of Longreach and the Central West.
“Our State needs a fresh start and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”