Nullinga Dam site reserved for later
21 August 2019
The Palaszczuk Government will
protect the proposed
Nullinga Dam site and pursue alternative
water
supply options for the Far North.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today announced the release
of the
business case which says water would cost five to six times more
than any prospective
water users could pay.
“The State Government will pursue other water supply options to support
development and jobs and lock down the
dam site as a precautionary
measure for the future,” Dr Lynham said.
“We’re doing our bit for FNQ.
“The Morrison Government have said they can fully fund this project and
now there’s nothing stopping them.
Dr Lynham said the state government continued to support expansion of
irrigated agriculture as an essential part of the
Queensland economy.
“Sunwater is progressing the $28 million project to modernise the
existing open channel irrigation scheme on the Tablelands, including
with channel lining, new meters and better electronics,” he said.
“It’s forecast to save more than 8000 megalitres of water alone. That’s
more water that farmers can actually afford for more crops.
“Sunwater and the Government will work with local irrigators to identify
more affordable water projects like this to ensure industry can expand
and create jobs.”
Dr Lynham said the Palaszczuk Government recognised that there might be
strategic benefits for FNQ in preserving the site.
“The Co-ordinator General and the Department of Natural Resources, Mines
and Energy are working on the best way to do this now,” he said.
The State Government’s independent expert infrastructure advisor,
Building Queensland, will today (Friday) publish the detailed business
case funded by the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
BACKGROUND
The Nullinga Dam proposal is to dam the Walsh River in Far North
Queensland, about 55 km south-west of Cairns and 24 kilometres
south-west of Mareeba.
Costed at up to $975 million, Nullinga Dam was first proposed in the
1950s, but Tinaroo Falls Dam was built as the more favourable option.
Building Queensland completed a preliminary business case last year and
the latest detailed business case released today (Friday).
The business case identifies that:
-
Cairns Regional Council has plans in place to cover water supply for at least the next 40 years
water would cost upward from $15,900 per megalitre but customers only wanted to, and could, pay around $2000-$3000 per megalitre. -
both the smaller and larger dam options considered “would result in poor economic returns and poor financial outcomes”
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media inquiries: Jan Martin 0439 341 314
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