9 October 2014
Inga Stunzner
Queensland Country Life
THREE federal government MPs took to the skies this morning from Rockhampton Airport to inspect prospective infrastructure projects in the region.
Senator Matt Canavan, Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd are flying over dam sites between Rockhampton, Moranbah and Emerald and will be meeting with the Central Highlands and Isaac Regional Councils.
The trio will report on Central Queensland infrastructure projects to federal Treasurer Joe Hockey and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss later this month.
Ms Landry, who had Central Queensland recognised as part of the Northern Australia plan, said water infrastructure projects were vital to further economic development and job growth in Central Queensland.
“I will fight hard to see key dam projects funded in CQ,” she said. “For example, building the Connors River Dam, building a new weir at Rookwood and raising the height of the wall at Eden Bann Weir would provide new opportunities and new jobs in our region.
Ms Landry said raising the wall at Eden Bann Weir and building Rookwood Weir could generate large scale development of horticultural crops for export to Asia.
This would be part of a Fitzroy Agricultural Corridor in an area between the junction of the Dawson and McKenzie Rivers and encompassing the Fitzroy River and the Fitzroy River Barrage.
“The Connors River Dam, between Moranbah and Sarina, is ‘shovel-ready’. Water for agriculture from this dam would allow towns like Moranbah and Dysart to diversify away from a reliance on coal, which is obviously going through a downturn right now.
“We need to fast-track key priority projects and infrastructure to boost employment and business growth in our region.”
Courtesy of Queensland Country Life