A Palaszczuk Labor Government proposal to lower the Paradise Dam by over 17 metres instead of repairing the damaged walls is the latest move in Labor’s anti-farming agenda.
Paradise Dam was completed in 2005 and was specifically designed to provide water for irrigation for the agriculture sector in the Wide Bay/Burnett region but sustained damage in 2013 from flooding which compromised its safety and viability.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington slammed the move by Labor, describing the decision to lower the dam walls instead of repairing them as an abandonment of the people of the Wide Bay/Burnett region.
“Instead of making an investment into the region’s future and economic prosperity, Annastacia Palaszczuk has caved to inner-city green groups, once again putting the needs of those in regional Queensland second to those in the Southeast,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Worse still, Labor neglected the safety of Queenslanders by not resolving the dam safety issues putting Queenslander’s lives at risk.
“It is an absolute disgrace that Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are ignoring the communities this decision actually affects.”
LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the decision to lower the dam walls would have direct implications on farmers and irrigators in his region.
“By drastically reducing the amount of water available for irrigation, high value tree crops are put at risk,” Mr Bennett said.
“Crops including macadamias and avocadoes that require a constant and reliable water supply are just some of the growth crops in our region that will be put at risk.
“These industries are high value and create thousands of local jobs. It is simply inexcusable to put these industries and their jobs on the line.
“The LNP acted by completing emergency repairs to the spillway dissipater and reinforced the primary spillway apron in June 2013 to stabilise the damage.”
LNP Member for Callide Colin Boyce said that when it came to agriculture more water meant more production resulting in jobs and prosperity for rural and regional communities.
“The fact that Labor has been sitting on its hands for the last three years since the initial damage to the dam walls putting downstream communities are risk is simply outrageous,” Mr Boyce said.
“Shockingly, we’ve found out that the State Government has completely rejected Federal assistance to repair the dam wall, instead they’ve just going to pull it down and hurt the entire community.
Ms Frecklington said that in contrast to the Palaszczuk Labor Government the LNP had a plan for developing the state’s water assets and infrastructure, creating jobs for our rural and regional communities.
“If elected, an LNP Government will raise the Burdekin Falls Dam wall, get the Urannah and Nullinga Dam projects shovel ready and finally deliver Rockwood Weir for Central Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We will also develop of a 30-year water security plan for Queensland in consultation with Seqwater, Sunwater and local governments and establish a mechanism for reviewing the current price targets.
“The LNP has a plan for water in Queensland unlike Labor who clearly has no plan.”
