WARREGO WATER TO BE RESERVED: BLIGH

A total of 8000 megalitres of unallocated water in the Warrego River catchment will be reserved for future use after the proposed auction of the water was delayed earlier this month, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said tonight.

Ms Bligh announced that the 8000 ML can be held in reserve indefinitely – allowing it to be used in the future or not used as conditions warrant.

“Today’s decision follows requests from both the Prime Minister John Howard and Commonwealth Water Minister Malcolm Turnbull for the water’s auction to be cancelled after they had earlier unequivocally supported its go ahead,” said Ms Bligh.

“I understand that the irrigators will be disappointed. I hope that they understand that the State can not proceed in the face of a request from the Prime Minister,” said Ms Bligh.

“The Canberra-imposed confusion is unfortunate and shows the scant regard that they have for the rural producers involved,” she said.

“This decision however allows for future flexibility. The water may be auctioned sometime in the future or it simply may be allowed to continue as part of the river’s environmental flow.

“Ultimately, this decision will be made on the best available science.”

The Warrego Resource Operations Plan gives the Department of Natural Resources and Water Chief Executive the discretion to reserve the water for future use.

Mr Howard and Mr Turnbull cited their policy reversal on a recent CSIRO report which said by 2030 water in the Warrego could decrease by 6% due to climate change.

However, the CSIRO report also said other climate change modelling showed water could increase by 44% or decrease by 28%.

The CSIRO report also said flows in the Warrego in the past 10 years were no different from the averages of the past 100 years.

“In all the circumstances it is not possible for the auction to go ahead.”

Queensland has agreed to work with the Commonwealth on the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security.

On September 14, Premier Bligh asked the Prime Minister to clarify his position on the Warrego auction after his earlier unconditional support.

In his reply to the Premier on September 18 2007 Mr Howard said that future water availability in the Warrego is highly uncertain.

“By us reserving the water it gives Queensland the flexibility to manage this precious resource for the good of the State now and into the future,” she said.

All registrations of interest to bid for the water which has already been lodged will be returned to the applicants she said.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500