{"id":277922,"date":"2020-09-22T15:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T05:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=277922"},"modified":"2020-09-22T15:03:27","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T05:03:27","slug":"water-security-fake-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/09\/22\/water-security-fake-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Security ‘Fake News’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LNP Opposition Leader and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 22, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says the Labor Government\u2019s announcement last week that Barambah Creek farmers now have water security is nothing but fake news.<\/p>\n

Mrs Frecklington said some local farmers from the Barambah Creek Groundwater sub-areas had actually been given reduced water licence volumes after negotiations with the Department of Natural Resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese negotiations with the Department have been taking place since 2017, but it appears the method used by the government to calculate the entitlements has not delivered a fair result,\u201d Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt became obvious that cracks started to appear in this process in late 2019 when several producers approached me with their concerns.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it is very disappointing that the Minister thinks these licences give people confidence to expand their businesses as it is completely false.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact, some of the entitlements do not allow for the current sustainability of their farming business, let alone the growth of that business.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is extremely concerning, as this area through Mondure, Wheatlands, Byee and Wooroonden is an important part of the South Burnett economy and an extremely productive and fertile area.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is very concerning that after such a long time negotiating these licences with the government that many farmers are not getting a fair deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would call on the Minister to urgently reconsider the allocations for those who are disappointed with their outcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe LNP is the only party in Queensland that has a plan to create new water infrastructure throughout the State, including the New Bradfield Scheme.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs well as building more water infrastructure, the LNP will also slash the price of water from July 1, 2021 for the more than 5,000 SunWater irrigators by almost 20% – including the more than 160 on the Barker Barambah Scheme.”<\/p>\n