CONNORS RIVER DAM

29 February 2008

A proposed new Northern Bowen Basin dam could provide up to 56,000 megalitres of water a year and help fuel growth in the region’s mining industry, Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said today.

Speaking while visiting Bowen, Mr Lucas said the Coordinator-General has declared the Connors River Dam a significant project.

“This means the Coordinator-General will coordinate a whole-of-government response to make sure the project’s assessment is both thorough and swift,” Mr Lucas said.

“It is not an indicator of government support for a project, but the beginning of a rigorous assessment and community engagement process, which will consider the project’s environmental, economic and social impacts.

“If it stacks up, the guaranteed water supply from this dam would be a great benefit to the region’s booming mining industry.

“The construction phase of this dam alone would create more than 150 jobs, be an economic shot in the arm to the region and play a role in attracting more people to live here.”

The proposed dam is located on the Connors River near Mount Bridgett in Broadsound Shire, about 235 km north west of Rockhampton and 120 km south of Mackay.

The Queensland Government’s Statewide Water Policy released in August 2006, included funding of $56.5 million for the development of the dam, and $60 million for the construction of a network of water distribution pipelines to supply water to industry and communities.

It is expected the Coordinator-General will release the Connors River Dam draft Terms of Reference for public comment in April 2008.

Project proponents SunWater will then prepare a detailed EIS in response, expected in early 2009.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the Environmental Impact Statement when it is released.

A decision on whether to proceed with the project is not expected before December 2010.

Media contact: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223