{"id":274475,"date":"2020-09-02T14:29:08","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T04:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=274475"},"modified":"2020-09-02T20:46:29","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T10:46:29","slug":"panel-reviews-bradfield-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/09\/02\/panel-reviews-bradfield-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Panel Reviews Bradfield Scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (Photo: Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 2, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Government announced on Wednesday that an independent panel chaired by Prof Ross Garnaut will conduct a comprehensive government examination of the Bradfield inland irrigation scheme.<\/p>\n

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the panel would also include Queensland Farmers Federation chief executive officer Dr Georgina Davis and James Cook University’s Prof Allan Dale.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that access to affordable water for irrigation can foster expanded agribusiness and jobs in regional Queensland,” the Premier said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the globe faces harsh economic headwinds, it\u2019s important to continue to capitalise on opportunities here in our State.<\/p>\n

\u201cProjects like this have the potential to support a new generation of farmers, landholders and regional communities if it\u2019s done in a way that is realistic and affordable.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy continuing to have a strong health response, we\u2019re able to look towards the future with exciting projects like this and keep delivering on Queensland\u2019s plan for economic recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

The panel\u2019s job will be to assess the financial, economic, environmental, social and technical viability of a Bradfield Scheme, or \u201cBradfield-like\u201d concepts, as well as make recommendations for any further assessment.<\/p>\n

Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said nation-building water infrastructure like a Bradfield scheme was usually driven by a national government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Premier first raised the Bradfield Scheme in October last year and offered to work with the Commonwealth Government on a revised scheme,\u201d Dr Lynham said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Queensland Government is not waiting any longer: we are taking the lead and comprehensively re-examining a Bradfield Scheme concept.\u201d<\/p>\n

The panel\u2019s terms of reference include:<\/strong><\/p>\n