Federal Minister for Water Resources and Maranoa MP David Littleproud this week called on the Queensland Government to “take swift action and build dams to avoid becoming dependent on New South Wales”.
Mr Littleproud’s call comes after the Federal and NSW governments announced a partnership to finalise planning for the Border Rivers Project on the Mole River.
“The project also has the potential to secure water for Stanthorpe and Warwick if the Queensland Government had the will,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This is an embarrassment for Queensland.
“The Queensland Government is going down the path of becoming a dependent state.
“We are reaching the point where the State cannot and will not provide for its own people.
“Queensland can’t just depend on siphoning New South Wales dry.
“I applaud the New South Wales Government for finally coming to the table with real ideas for water security.
“Sadly we haven’t seen the same on the Queensland side of the border
“We have Emu Swamp Dam in Stanthorpe ready to go, we just need the Palaszczuk Government’s approvals.
“If the Queensland Government had the will, construction could be underway in weeks.
“The Commonwealth stands ready, growers stand ready we just need the state in behind us.
“The state should just roll up its sleeves and get the work done, so we are better prepared next time drought hits.”
The Federal Government has committed $47 million for the proposed Emu Swamp Dam on the Granite Belt and local growers have committed $26.3 million, along with a commitment to fund any unforeseen cost ‘overruns’.
The Queensland Palaszczuk Government has committed $13.6 million but dependent on conditions, one of which is that they will not be hit with cost overruns, effectively a non-issue.
Talks are still ongoing between Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham and Emu Swamp Dam ‘proponent’ the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce – and its commercial entity Granite Belt Water – with a view to finalising the Queensland Government’s commitment to helping fund Emu Swamp Dam.
Mr Littleproud hosted a ‘listening tour’ of the Warwick and Stanthorpe regions in the first week of October with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg as part of a directive by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to members of his cabinet to gain a fuller understanding of the drought situation “on the ground”.
