Dam good move

STANTHORPE families and farmers will have access to a larger, more secure water supply after Queensland’s independent Co-ordinator-General approved the $76 million Emu Swamp Dam project.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the project would create up to 145 jobs during construction and secure Stanthorpe’s future water needs.
“This additional water supply, a new 10,500 mega-litre dam at Emu Swamp located about 15 kilometres south-west of Stanthorpe, will enable the region’s agricultural sector to grow and prosper,” Mr Seeney said.
“It will also provide an estimated $139 million injection into the state’s economy through construction and the operation of the dam and its pipelines.”
The former Stanthorpe Council had been investigating building a new dam since 2006 in response to requests from residents and farmers for extra water. Southern Downs Regional Council will construct the dam on the Severn River and build a 23km pipeline from the dam to the existing Mt Marley water treatment plant.
The Co-ordinator-General has attached 50 conditions and recommendations to the project that the council must abide by, such as establishing an environmental offsets plan to result in no net loss of vulnerable flora and fauna species.
The Co-ordinator-General’s report now goes to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for a decision on issues pertaining to the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act under the assessment bilateral agreement.
Southern Downs MP Lawrence Springborg said the announcement that Emu Swamp Dam had been approved was great news for his community.
“Farmers and residents will be able to breathe a sigh of relief now that this project has been approved, a project that we have been waiting for, for 25 years,” Mr Springborg said.
“Obviously the council still has to go through the process of approval funding, but a major hurdle has been cleared. The dam will underpin the Granite Belt’s future for generations to come.
“I’d like to thank council, local growers and the community for their tenacity and patience in pursuing the dam over such a long period of time.”
The Queensland Co-ordinator-General’s report on the Environmental Impact Statement is available online at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/emu-swamp-dam