The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has welcomed an announcement by the state government today that it will reinstate Paradise Dam to its original height and capacity providing water security for irrigators in the Bundaberg region.
The announcement follows a commitment to inform local irrigators of the government’s position prior to end of the year.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said the government’s response and endorsement of the final recommended option for the dam is a welcome relief to Bundaberg’s agricultural community who held grave concerns about its future water security and the impacts to industry investment.
“The Bundaberg region has so much more agricultural and economic development potential subject to reliable water particularly in a changing climate,” Dr Davis said.
“QFF has always supported community safety and has been calling on the government to reinstate the dam’s full capacity, as well as to investigate the water security of the system.”
“Irrigators also deserve certainty around the capacity of the various parts of the distribution system and identification of water constrained areas that require modernisation.”
“We acknowledge the work the government, the many stakeholders on the Paradise Dam Industry Forum and QFF’s local member organisations have done to arrive at this outcome.”
Dr Davis said growers now sought to understand the impacts from the essential works to ensure the timely reinstatement of the dam’s full capacity.
“Water allocations are currently at 100 per cent for Bundaberg irrigators and they must continue to have access to their full water entitlement.”
“We look forward to continue working with the Queensland Government to ensure that ongoing protections are provided to existing nominal allocations, and that new water development opportunities for this important agricultural region are identified.”