NO DECISIONS MADE ABOUT BAFFLE CREEK, SAYS WATER MINISTER

No decisions have been made about putting any new water infrastructure, including a dam, in the Baffle Creek catchment, Water Minister Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace said two water plans were currently being done by the Department of Natural Resources and Water in the Baffle Creek area.

A 10-year Water Resource Plan is looking at the amount of water needed for the environmental health of the river systems within the basin and what can be taken for other purposes.

The second study, a 50-year water supply study for the Wide Bay Burnett Region, is investigating future supply needs and potential sources of water to meet these needs.

Both of these studies are in their early stages and no recommendations have been made to the government – no decisions have been made.

The draft plans for both of these studies will be released to the public for submission once the government has considered the initial recommendations.

Depending on the complexity of both of these water planning processes, they can generally take up to two years to complete.

Given these timelines it is very difficult to see – as a newspaper reported this morning – that a proposal for a new dam will be going to Cabinet within months.

This is not true – and unfortunately this allegation was not put to the government.

Regional water supply planning involves looking at all options for future water supplies for a region – including desalination, groundwater, dams, water recycling as well as demand management.

Any options that may be discussed during consultation on a regional water supply strategy may not be included in the final plan.

“I make no apologies for planning for the future water needs of Queenslanders,” Mr Wallace said.

“Water security is vital to our future prosperity and lifestyle and we have to continually plan ahead.”

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