By Dominique Tassell
The Granite Belt Irrigation Project has responded to inquiries about the current state of the Emu Swamp Dam project.
When asked about how the project will move out of its current pause phase, Lloyd Taylor, CEO of GBIP’s operator Granite Belt Water Limited, said that “the project has a funding agreement with the Queensland Government that outlines the milestones to be achieved for funding“.
“Granite Belt Water has met all of the Queensland Government funding requirements and milestones.“
Mr Taylor then responded to questions about land acquisition for the project, stating that “Granite Belt Water remains open to and continues to negotiate with landholders who wish to engage with the project“.
“The project has been paused while awaiting decisions by the funding stakeholders,“ he said.
When asked how the project is justifying the lease of an office on Stanthorpe’s main street when there have been only two updates provided this year, Mr Taylor stated that “activity relating to the project is based out of the Stanthorpe office and it will remain in place for the near future“.
The first release of the year, published on 1 April, responded to the announcement of an additional Australian Government contribution of $126.5 million to the project.
The second release, published on 20 July, stated that “customers of the scheme remain committed“ to the project.
This came after The Guardian reported on 23 March that a number of irrigators had withdrawn from the project.
In its 20 July release, GBIP stated that they are “funded by $23.4 million from local irrigators“.
Mr Taylor stated that “between the Southern Downs Regional Council (SRDC) and irrigators, the annual yield of the 3900ML scheme remains fully subscribed, and those stakeholders are committed to the development of the dam, as it offers a significant opportunity to bolster the water security of the region“.
