July 30, 2020
Work could begin soon on preparing a business case for the Barlil Weir, Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said on Thursday.
The proposed weir, 8km north-west of Murgon on Barambah Creek, has previously been identified as infrastructure of significance by the Department of State Development and was one of several key projects identified by the recent $2 million Burnett Water Feasibility Study conducted by consultants Jacobs for the South Burnett and North Burnett regional councils.
Mr O’Dowd visited the proposed site for the weir on Thursday with representatives from a local irrigators’ group and farmers.
“I talked to the farmers about the Water Feasibility Study and taking Barlil Weir to the next stage,” Mr O’Dowd told southburnett.com.au
He said the next stage was developing a business case which could be put to SunWater.
Mr O’Dowd said he believed there was about $500,000 left over from the South Burnett half of the original $2 million Federal Government funding.
“I am hoping there is enough left over to do the business case for Barlil Weir,” he said.
During his day-long visit to the region, Mr O’Dowd also spoke to South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto and councillors before dropping into the Wondai Art Gallery to inspect kitchen extensions paid for by a $31,000 Federal Government grant from the Building Better Regions Fund.
He also inspected a new wheelchair-friendly grandstand erected at Proston Showgrounds, also constructed with funds from the Building Better Regions Fund.
In Hivesville, Mr O’Dowd met with members of the Hivesville Progress Association.
Association president Barbara Hockey showed Mr O’Dowd the site of a project the group hopes to complete in Hivesville’s Memorial Park if it can get Federal support.
The group wants to enclose the rear of the current barbecue area so it can house a refrigerator, small water tank and storage area. It also wants to put gutters on the building and extend the concrete slab.
Mr O’Dowd encouraged the group to apply under the next round of the Stronger Communities program.
The group also discussed several local projects which have been on the backburner for some time, including a proposed rail trail from Hivesville to Proston, and the need to push for a more secure and potable water supply for the town.
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