RECORD DAM LEVELS PROVIDE BIG BOOST TO BUNDABERG WATER ALLOCATIONS

Bundaberg farmers have good reason to smile today thanks to a major increase to their water allocations.

Water Minister Craig Wallace said significant inflows into Paradise and Fred Haigh dams recently, had boosted levels and prompted SunWater to carry out a water allocation review.

Mr Wallace said SunWater had advised him that announced allocations for both the Kolan and Burnett subschemes had now been set at 81% for medium priority water allocations and 100% for high priority water allocations.

This is up from 48% and 27% respectively.

The good news came on the back of Paradise Dam setting a new water level record this week, after reaching 45.3% and holding 135,519 megalitres.

The record level at Paradise Dam means Burnett Water customers who hold medium priority water allocations can enjoy an even higher announced allocation of 100%, he said.

“I am very pleased to see Paradise Dam has benefited greatly from this recent wet weather and is providing the additional water availability that will underpin the future growth of the region,” he said.

“To have such a large allocation increase across the whole scheme is really the best news these farmers can get at the moment, after years of low water allocations due to drought,” Mr Wallace said.

“Thanks to some very useful rainfall across the region our dams are now approaching much healthier levels and able to provide much-needed water to farms, industry and townships.

“This boost to allocations will enable our farmers to plan ahead and offer them a range of options they may not have had previously due to lack of water.

“I am sure our farmers in the Bundaberg region will be looking to the future with some renewed optimism and confidence,” he said.

Mr Wallace said SunWater would be advising its customers of the increases today.

Dam levels as of 25/02/08 are Paradise 45.3% (135,519ML) and Fred Haigh 38.1% (213,891ML).

Media contact: Minister’s office 3896 3688 or Paul Childs 0407 131 654.