A division of the Liberal Party of Australia
STATE INACTION ON NORTH WEST WATER CRISIS
13 August, 2008
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North Queensland Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald today called on the Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, to better explain how the State Government’s Water Resource (Gulf) Plan will help Cloncurry and its current water crisis.
Senator Macdonald’s call follows a radio interview in Mount Isa this morning (Wednesday) when Ms Kiernan said that the Government’s plan had addressed water issues in the North West.
Senator Macdonald said that he has been travelling across North West Queensland in the past 10 days and locals that he had spoken to were unaware of the plan and its impact on the North West.
“I have spent some time speaking with locals, land owners and councils about the need for a coordinated and strategic approach to water conservation and harvesting across the North, and the State Government’s plan has not been mentioned.
“If there is a plan for action nobody but Mrs Kiernan seems to know about it.
“I am keen to have Mrs Kiernan detail how the Water Resource (Gulf) Plan will address the severe water crisis in Cloncurry.
“I find it concerning that this so called plan has left this town with less than two months worth of water, and tap water that is not safe to drink
“I will not reciprocate in the personal abuse that Ms Kiernan used in her radio interview today, but I will take her up on the issues that need addressing in the North West of Queensland, especially water and health services.
“Community leaders from Georgetown to Burketown, to Cloncurry to Charters Towers are desperate for action on water projects like the Gilbert River Dam, water for Burketown, the Julius Dam pipeline extension to Cloncurry, the O’Connell River diversion at Richmond and the Flinders River harvest at Hughenden.
“Landowners who have proved that agriculture can add value to the beef industry and provide food for Australia in the future are desperate to get some cooperation from the State Government for sensible water allocations.
“The frustration of people wanting to do things is quite visible as the State Government seems incapable of making a decision.
“I am looking forward to Mrs Kiernan providing indicating where in the plan there is action, rather than rhetoric and words for Cloncurry and for all of the other projects that could sustainably change the face of North West Queensland” Senator Macdonald said.