Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington … “key water security projects for Kingaroy, Blackbutt and Nanango won’t see the light of day for another five years”  (Photo: Nanango Electorate Office)

October 10, 2023

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has urged residents to have their say on the Draft Bundaberg Burnett Regional Water Assessment although she believes the process has simply kicked South and North Burnett water projects “into the long grass”.

The draft report was released by Sunwater last week.

It followed months of consultations with key stakeholders in the South and North Burnett, Cherbourg and Bundaberg council areas.

Beginning the preparation of a detailed business case for the proposed Barlil Weir on Barambah Creek was identified as a “key short-term action” in the draft assessment.

Mrs Frecklington, who is the Shadow Minister for Water, described the assessment process as “more about fixing a political problem, not a water security problem”.

“The Labor Government has spent another $3 million on a report which has taken a further 18 months to decide which water projects will be lucky enough to considered by them for further investigation,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“While I welcome the announcement of the three projects which are being considered, it is obvious this report has created a situation where projects in the South Burnett and North Burnett have been kicked into the long grass.

“So much work has been done by the South Burnett to investigate and develop key water security projects for Kingaroy, Blackbutt and Nanango but these won’t see the light of day for another five years.

“Primary producers in Coalstoun Lakes have been totally left out of further planning, with the pipeline project from Paradise Dam priced well out of contention.

“Just a few years ago this project was costed at $57 million. Now we’re being told it is a $793 million project. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Mrs Frecklington said there was “so much opportunity” which could come with water projects in the South and North Burnett, but this latest assessment meant they could be put on hold for the foreseeable future.

“At this stage the report is still considered a ‘draft’,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“Consultation is being held in Kingaroy and Murgon on October 27. Submissions can also be made by November 2 via an online feedback form.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to have their say and reiterate the importance of the projects which have missed out on support.”

Consultation sessions will be held throughout the assessment area, including:

  • October 25 – Gayndah, 11:00am-2:00pm at the Golden Orange Hotel Conference Room (3-5 Maltby Place)
  • October 25 – Mundubbera, 9:00am-noon at the North Burnett Community Services Meeting Room (69 Stuart-Russell Street)
  • October 27 – Kingaroy, 10:00am-1:00pm at the KCCI Business Hub (195 Kingaroy Street)
  • October 27 – Murgon, 2:00pm-5:00pm at the BIEDO Office (80 Gore Street)

There will also be one-hour online forums where people can find out more about the shortlisted recommendations and ask the project team questions.

Registrations for these online forums can be made on the Sunwater website (scroll to near the end of the page)

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