Queensland Water Resources appointed to advance Emu Swamp Dam

• The Crisafulli Government has appointed Queensland Water Resources to progress investigations for Emu Swamp Dam.
• The project will further investigate the feasibility of the proposed dam with the aim to strengthen long-term water security for Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt.
• The Crisafulli Government is boosting water security across regional communities, after funding dried up under the former Labor Government. 

The Crisafulli Government has appointed Queensland Water Resources to advance the Emu Swamp Dam proposal, as part of its commitment to strengthen long-term water security and drought resilience in the Southern Downs region. 

The proposed dam would provide an additional water source for the Stanthorpe region, supplementing Storm King Dam, the town’s primary water supply, particularly during periods of prolonged drought. 

The former Labor Government didn’t build a single dam during their decade of decline, leaving Queensland with ageing water infrastructure, a $6.5 billion cost blowout in water projects, botched dams, failing regional water security and the most expensive water bills in the nation. 

Queensland Water Resources will build on the substantial work already undertaken through earlier investigations, review key challenges and examine the most practical pathway for the project.  

The work will also consider Emu Swamp Dam within the broader Southern Downs water-security system, and how existing and future infrastructure can work together to strengthen water security for Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt. 

The initiative builds on significant Crisafulli Government investments to improve drought resilience to the Southern Downs region, including progressing upgrades to surrounding water treatment systems and upgrades to the Leslie Dam.  

The Crisafulli Government's Watertight Water Security Plan is also helping ensure that Queensland has the water capacity it needs today and the supply certainty it needs for the future. 

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy welcomed the appointment saying it marked a significant step towards certainty for the region’s water future. 

“Our Government is committed to supporting regional communities with the infrastructure they need to be resilient, productive and prepared for the future,” Minister Leahy said. 

“For Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt, greater water security means increased drought resilience and greater confidence for communities, agriculture, business and future investment. 

“Emu Swamp Dam has been considered for many years, and this work is an opportunity to build on that foundation and provide a clearer understanding of a potential pathway forward.” 

Member for Southern Downs James Lister said that Stanthorpe had previously run out of water completely, so obtaining and storing new water for the town and local Granite Belt farmers was absolutely vital. 

“The town of Stanthorpe and our local horticultural industry ran out of water completely for more than a year in the last drought, and that was a major blow to the social and economic fabric of the community,” Mr Lister said. 

“I was dismayed when the previous Labor State and Federal Governments, who had clearly learned nothing from the last drought, cancelled funding for Emu Swamp Dam.  

“I thank Water Minister Ann Leahy and the Crisafulli Government for getting on with the job of creating long term water security for Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt, where it is so badly needed.” 

Queensland Water Resources Executive Director Kevin McAlpine said the appointment was an opportunity to focus on practical solutions. 

“This is about more than revisiting a dam proposal. Our objective is to identify a practical pathway towards greater long-term water security for Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt,” Mr McAlpine said.