Today, myself, Michelle Landry MP and and Senator Matthew Canavan have called on the Queensland Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher to honour the Labor party’s election promise and apply for funding for the Urannah Dam as soon as possible.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Queensland Labor Party made an election commitment to support the Urannah Dam project, as announced by Labor candidate for Burdekin Mike Brunker (see Facebook post below).

In April 2019 the Australian Government announced $10 million through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund for the detailed business case for the Urannah Project. As part of the Federal Liberal National Government’s 2020/21 Budget, we allocated an additional $2 billion towards the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, bringing our total investment in building dams, pipelines and weirs to $3.5 billion.

The draft detailed business case for the project is nearly finalised and has been provided to the Queensland Government.

Member for Dawson George Christensen said the project was a game-changer for North Queensland.

The Urannah Dam project is transformational, as it will open up vast tracts of high use agricultural land and create more than 1800 jobs during construction and into operation.

It’s just the kind of big infrastructure project we need in Central and North Queensland to boost our economy during these difficult times.

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the Urannah Dam is crucial to the future prosperity of towns in North Queensland, such as Collinsville.

“Over the years, Collinsville has seen its fair share of economic downturn and declining population. I would argue more than their fair share.

“With Urannah Dam under threat by cashed up activists and the Labor Party’s opposition to a coal-fired power station in Collinsville, North Queensland’s future energy needs and economic future is under threat and only the LNP are fighting for the region,” Ms Landry said.

Senator for Queensland Matt Canavan said that it’s important that the Queensland Government honours their pre-election commitment to the project.

“This project will provided vital water security to the region, and much needed jobs to help aid Queensland’s economic recovery” Senator Canavan said.

“The additional 1,200 jobs that will be provided during construction could be critical in aiding the regional recover after the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with the 675 jobs provided once operational will ensure a continued flow on effect.”

The project will provide an additional water storage capacity of up to 1.5 million megalitres, facilitate an irrigation precinct of up to 25,000 hectares and provide 1.5GW electricity supply and 7GWh pumped storage capacity.

In the 2020/21 Budget the Federal Coalition Government allocated an additional $2 billion towards the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.

The project has an expected construction date of 2022 and would involve a $2.9 billion commitment.