It isn’t often a routine media announcement from the state government results in such a flurry of phone calls, emails, and “did you hear?” conversations. Last week’s revelation that the state government is putting $3 million into Emu Swamp Dam was one of those times.
The $3 million project
It is an odd one. The $3 million, announced 15 June, gave a slim 11 day window for applicants to propose how they would deliver technical, economic, social and environmental investigations into the dam. Despite the small window, a 13-page guideline has been produced. The findings must be completed within 18 months.
While $3 million seems almost a token nod to dam proponents, the Water for Warill detailed business case and the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Collective Water Scheme detailed business case came in at $1.7 million—albeit six years ago.
By any standard, it is a very quick turnaround between announcement and closing of applications, begging the question if any parties were made aware ahead of the announcement. The Town & Country Journal asked Minister for Water Ann Leahy if there is a stand-out applicant. Her office responded not surprisingly that “it would be inappropriate for the Minister to pre-empt the outcome of an open tender process.”
Is there really much opposition?
The outspoken supporters and the detractors of the dam are historically clear. Barnaby Joyce, James Lister, David Littleproud, Vic Pennisi and some members of the former council have been active supporters of the project while Mayor Hamilton, in her pre-mayoral days, ran a long-running campaign against the project. As mayor, however, Cr Hamilton has become more circumspect. Water security is the ultimate goal.
Instead, the sentiment is that any state government interest in water security is positive and that feasibility studies for all water security options necessary for residents to make the correct decision.
Indeed, the Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network—not exactly a warm supporter of Emu Swamp The Prequel—“welcomed” the Queensland government’s $3 million commitment to investigate the dam’s viability.
“This funding represents a meaningful and positive step forward for water security in the Granite Belt and Southern Downs region”, a spokesperson told the Town & Country Journal.
There’s a catch to this bipartisanship. The Regional Water Assessment recommended a “full suite” of options which should be investigated. In addition to the dam, the Warwick to Stanthorpe pipeline and dam evaporative covers for agricultural water storage. The pipeline and the covers are not covered in the $3 million announcement.
Mayor Hamilton says she appreciates the state government’s commitment to water security and the SDRC supports the plan. The mayor also pointed out that there are options on the table.
So why Emu Swamp?
The decision to focus on only one option has left some confused. Four months ago, the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said on their website that they do not support the dam. Is it likely, therefore, to go beyond this $3 million and, if so, on what grounds are the funds committed?
The Town & Country Journal asked Minister Leahy’s office twice to detail who from the region she has recently met with to inform her decision to resurrect the dam project, but she declined to provide the information.
MP James Lister has been a tireless advocate of Emu Swamp Dam while in opposition in state parliament and now as part of government. His regular call of “what about Emu Swamp?” in chambers is well known.
Mr Lister did not wish to discuss how Minister Leahy came to her decision, or who she has consulted with, but he told the paper who he and the minister met with when she visited the shire two weeks ago. Of course, the decision had already been made at that point and announced in a meeting with SDRC officials.
Mr Lister introduced Minister Leahy to Liza and Mario Cannavo, tomato growers in Severnlea. They also met with Cr Russell Wantling, because, Mr Lister pointed out “no story on the Granite Belt water situation is complete without his input” after the work he carried out in the last drought.
Mr Lister and Minister Leahy also met with Connie Taylor, of the Granite Belt Grower’s Association, and her husband Ray. Ian Henderson was on the list, founder of Australian Vinegar.
They also met with Graham Parker, who owns a print shop in Stanthorpe and is the former president of the Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce.
Absent from the meet-up was Michelle Feenan, the current president of the Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce.
Change to original plan?
If any dam project in the area is funded it may have very different parameters than what was envisioned by GBIP. According to Sunwater, the Granite Belt Irrigation Project (now deregistered), “is being re-evaluated by DRDMW under the Southern and Darling Downs Regional Water Assessment.”
“While the re-evaluation process is undertaken, the Queensland Government has preserved relevant assessment and development work already done by the project’s previous proponent, Granite Belt Water Limited.”
“Sunwater is working with Granite Belt Water Ltd to transfer and hold key Granite Belt Irrigation Project assets, including its Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act approval, while the RWA evaluation progresses.”
Minister Anne Leahy told Inside Water magazine recently that “work will build on previous studies and address the challenges that have previously impacted the project, ensuring all options are properly assessed”.
Emu Swamp at a glance:
12,074 megalitre irrigation dam and water-supply scheme on the Severn River, 15 km south-west of Stanthorpe. Latest estimate of $84 million investment to realise. The dam would link to “irrigation properties”.
The project features, amongst others, in the Queensland Government’s Southern and Darling Downs Regional Water Assessment.
Source: Queensland Coordinator General.
