PLANNING WORK BEGINS ON NULLINGA DAM

Water Minister Craig Wallace today said preliminary planning had started on the proposed Nullinga Dam, west of Mareeba.

Mr Wallace, who was in Atherton for the Beattie Government’s Community Cabinet, said tenders for the environmental assessment were now being evaluated. The successful tenderer to do the environmental study will be announced later this month.

Mr Wallace said Opposition Water spokesman Ray Hopper, who has called for a start on the project, had not done his homework.

“While he puts out a press release calling for a start on the Nullinga Dam, the preliminary work has already begun,” he said.

“Mr Hopper also does not appear to know that the Beattie Government last year committed $6 million for design work for the dam.”

The community will be able to comment on the proposed Nullinga Dam when the draft Far North Queensland Regional Supply Strategy is released later this year.

Economic, environmental, cultural, social, geotechnical and engineering studies will be undertaken to ensure the Nullinga Dam project is viable.

Nullinga Dam, on the WalshRiver, is one of many water supply options being considered as part of the Far North Queensland Regional Supply Strategy.

Preliminary assessments indicated Nullinga is a preferred water supply option to augment the Tinaroo Falls Dam but further investigation is needed.

Additional water supplies will be needed in the Cairns/Atherton Tablelands region due to population growth and the unreliability of current water supplies during extreme dry periods. Water also may be needed for industrial expansion and horticultural development on the Tablelands.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.