{"id":245143,"date":"2019-09-27T19:20:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T09:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=245143"},"modified":"2020-07-16T15:48:23","modified_gmt":"2020-07-16T05:48:23","slug":"dam-water-releases-are-devastating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/09\/27\/dam-water-releases-are-devastating\/","title":{"rendered":"Dam Water Releases Are Devastating"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_245145\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-245145\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-245145\" src=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary1.jpg 620w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary1-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-245145\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At Paradise Dam with the Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/debs-diary210.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-85802\" title=\"Debs Diary\" src=\"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/debs-diary210.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/debs-diary210.jpg 210w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/debs-diary210-180x300.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/a><strong>September 27, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>We all know how precious water is &#8211; especially right now when more than 66 per cent of Queensland is in drought.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If only the Palaszczuk Labor Government knew that.<\/p>\n<p>I was out at Paradise Dam on Wednesday with the Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett.<\/p>\n<p>The Palaszczuk Labor Government had just announced they are frivolously releasing 32,000 Olympic swimming pools worth of water from that dam.<\/p>\n<p>To release this amount of water without any consultation from the community shows how out of touch this government is.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve spoken to many growers and landowners who are devastated by this decision.<\/p>\n<p>When we have the state of Queensland in so much drought, we cannot afford to waste a precious drop.<\/p>\n<p>How can the Government use $250 million of taxpayers money for bonuses for public servants but can\u2019t invest in water security?<\/p>\n<p>Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to step up and reverse this out of touch decision.<\/p>\n<p>If elected next year, the LNP will prioritise investment in our current dams and build new dams.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_244419\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-244419\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190915speedway2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-244419\" src=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190915speedway2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190915speedway2.jpg 620w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190915speedway2-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-244419\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the Under 16 State Titles I met 250cc Solos title holder Flynn Nicol and BRTS Racing team manager Ivor Harm, who presented race tyres to the four placegetters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Bees Are One Of My Local Heroes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>The weekend of September 14-15 was a huge couple of days for the Kingaroy Junior Motorcycle Speedway Club (The Bees) when they hosted three Under 16 State Title Events at their track in Kingaroy. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I was pleased to offer the club one of my Local Hero Grants to help them with the costs of holding the Titles.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of riders and their families converged on Kingaroy to take part.<\/p>\n<p>This is one of our hardest working local clubs.<\/p>\n<p>The Bees started just five years ago and now have their own track and club house and are securing State events.<\/p>\n<p>Congrats to President Simon Rogerson, Secretary Tracey Tunstall, and all the families and riders!<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations also to the following young sportspeople who were also successful in the latest round of my Local Hero grants:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lucy Dyson<\/strong> \u2013 to help her attend the 10-12 yrs Queensland Athletics Championships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cooper Weil<\/strong> \u2013 to help him attend the 10-12 yrs National Athletics Championships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Taylay Kidman<\/strong> \u2013 to help her attend the U16 State Netball Championships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Kai Allan<\/strong> &#8211; to help him attend the USKU Karate Championships in Japan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_245155\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-245155\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-245155\" src=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary6.jpg 620w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary6-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-245155\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I&#8217;m not the world&#8217;s best table tennis player, but the Clontarf Academy students put me through the paces when I visited them recently<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Kingaroy&#8217;s Clontarf Academy Kicking Goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Kingaroy State High School&#8217;s Clontarf Academy is certainly kicking goals in and out of the classroom. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The aim of the Clontarf Academy is to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.<\/p>\n<p>The boys very proudly gave me a tour of their room and it was an honour to present a Queensland flag for such a passionate group.<\/p>\n<p>I will make sure I brush up on my table tennis skills before my next visit!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_245153\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-245153\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-245153\" src=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary4.jpg 620w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary4-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-245153\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Blackbutt&#8217;s Avocado Festival seems to just get bigger and better every year &#8230; and who can resist those Timbertowns-grown avocados from Mt Binga Orchards?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Av&#8217;in A Great Time In Blackbutt<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>The annual Blackbutt Avocado Festival just keeps getting bigger and better! <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From the skydiving &#8216;Avo Drop&#8217; to the avo roll, toss and golf, the day celebrated all things avocado.<\/p>\n<p>I loved sharing my pesto (made with Avocado oil) with chef Jason Ford for a cooking demonstration making Pesto Avocado &amp; Tomato Fettuccine.<\/p>\n<p>Well done again to Jeff Connor and his organising team for another &#8216;smashing&#8217; event!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_245152\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-245152\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-245152\" src=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary3.jpg 620w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary3-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-245152\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With raffle winner Michelle Rutley and Cr Danita Potter from the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Michelle&#8217;s Our Raffle Winner!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>I recently held a raffle on my Facebook page to raise money for the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Group. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to the lucky winner, Kingaroy local, Michelle Rutley who won a weekend away in Bargara.<\/p>\n<p>Michelle (left) popped down to my office to pick up her prize and Danita Potter came down to collect the raffle proceeds!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_245154\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-245154\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-245154\" src=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary5.jpg 620w, https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190927debsdiary5-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-245154\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I thanked the rural firies who worked to save Peregian Beach&#8217;s communities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Thank You To Our Emergency Services<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Mother nature threw everything it could at our parched regions recently and we saw fire emergencies across our State.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our own patch saw fires being fought at Linville, Esk and in the northern rural areas of the Nanango Electorate.<\/p>\n<p>The smoke haze was a constant reminder of the serious conditions being experienced and the constant threat of bushfire on our doorstep.<\/p>\n<p>I would like to sincerely thank our local crews who helped contain the Linville and Esk fires, along with all the volunteers who supported their hard work.<\/p>\n<p>I know crews also travelled to the North Burnett to assist with the Hawkwood fires.<\/p>\n<p>I travelled to the communities affected in Stanthorpe, Peregian Beach, Bundaberg and the Gold Coast Hinterland.<\/p>\n<p>There is no doubt that this has been a really tough start to the fire season and the firefighters and emergency workers have worked incredibly hard to save properties and lives.<\/p>\n<p>We have a long fire season ahead of us and I encourage all landholders &#8211; whether you\u2019re in town or on a property &#8211; to complete a bushfire survival plan.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, you don\u2019t have to live in the bush to be threatened by a bushfire.<\/p>\n<p>You just have to be close enough to be affected by burning material, embers and smoke.<\/p>\n<p>Please remain vigilant as the dry weather continues, and let\u2019s all pray that rain is on our horizon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office and southburnett.com.au]<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/debs-diary\/\">Read more Deb\u2019s Diary columns<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all know how precious water is &#8211; especially right now when more than 66 per cent of Queensland is in drought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":245145,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[629,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.11 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Dam Water Releases Are Devastating - southburnett.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We all know how precious water is - especially right now 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