By DANE LILLINGSTONE
WHAT started as a discussion around a $10,000 contribution at Southern Downs Regional Council turned into a debate about the fate of Emu Swamp Dam.
The council general meeting was considering a grant of $10,000 for the Emu Swamp Irrigators (ESI) as a way of jointly owning the business plan that is currently being completed by consulting firm Jacobs.
ESI has put up their own $55,000 for the business plan and the $10,000 was part of an invitation to include the council and the Project Control Group in the process. $20,000 has already been allocated in this year’s budget for the dam.
It was stated in the meeting that since 1980 in excess of $3.5 million has been spent by Stanthorpe Shire Council and now Southern Downs Regional Council on investigations, studies and reports by consultants and specialist firms in relation to Emu Swamp Dam with some suggesting the total amount spent to be much higher. A total of 64 studies and reports have been compiled since that time.
Debate broke out among the councillors on whether Emu Swamp was still viable.
Mayor Peter Blundell asked fellow councillors if it was worth it.
“Having contributed that amount of money, it’s hard to walk away,” he said.
“Is it good value water, is it the best value water or not? We are continually required to put more funds in this project.”
Councillor Neil Meiklejohn agreed with the mayor.
“I’m struggling to see the value in this. Is it financially viable or not?” he said.
Councillor Jamie Mackenzie said they were looking at three options – walking away and claiming it a waste of money, looking for an alternative or allocating the $10,000 in the hope that the final business case result will result in Federal Government funding.
Councillor Vic Pennisi said he would remove himself from the final council vote on the $10,000 but warned that something would have to happen.
“This work, at some stage, has to happen,” he said.
“To be financially viable, we need assistance from the government. This report will see if we have that support.”
Deputy mayor Ross Bartley said it was a necessary process.
“To wipe $3.9 million off the slate of ratepayer’s money? I can’t do that,” he said.
“If you want growth in your community, you need water.”
“I sat there at that Warwick Shire Council meeting when we had to debate whether to truck water to Stanthorpe Shire Council. It made national news on Channel 7 – town without water.
“If it means spending a further $10,000 to further it, so be it.”
In the end the vote went 4-3 in favour of the $10,000 allocation with Cr Pennisi leaving the room for the vote.
The investigations into Emu Swamp Dam will continue with a meeting between Cr Blundell, selected councillors and Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce on what Federal funding will be available for water in the Southern Downs in the future.
