WATER FOR WOORABINDA

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace has announced that the Woorabinda Aboriginal Community has been offered a water entitlement of up to 3,000 megalitres per year.

Minister Wallace said the water would be used for irrigation purposes on a property known as Foleyvale near Duaringa in Central Queensland.

"Foleyvale is operated by the Woorabinda Pastoral Company, which is wholly owned by the Woorabinda Local Council," Mr Wallace said.

"The offer of the water is part of the Bligh Government’s overall package to support Woorabinda Council and community to achieve greater control over its own future."

Minister Wallace stated that the offer was made subject to a number of conditions.

These conditions include that an appropriate technical assessment and business case is undertaken to ensure that the proposal is technically feasible and financially viable and that sufficient funding is available to undertake the project.

Minister Wallace added there would be a time limit of 5 years for the project to be substantially established and any agreed entitlement would revert back to the State Government should the project not proceed.

Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr met with Woorabinda Local Council yesterday on behalf of the Bligh Government to make the offer.

"This offer was made in recognition that Foleyvale has the potential to generate income, provide training and jobs as well as provide alcohol and other substance diversionary opportunities for the community," Ms Nelson-Carr said.

The Woorabinda Aboriginal Community was the first indigenous community to go dry under its Alcohol Management Plan on 1 July 2008.

Media contacts: Paul Childs, Minister Wallace’s office, 0407 131 654 and Karla Steen, Minister Nelson-Carr’s office, 0417 603 409.