LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today joined Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause to call on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to secure Beaudesert’s water supply by bringing forward connection to the SEQ water grid.
“Drought and water security is Queensland’s number 1 issue,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Secure water supplies means secure jobs.
“Water is vital for Beaudesert, Rathdowney and Kooralbyn, and the commercial and irrigation allocations of dozens of local businesses depend on the Logan River and Maroon Dam.
“With the prolonged drought, all these businesses face drastic cuts to water allocations from Maroon Dam, causing huge losses in agricultural production and loss of local jobs.
“Labor should bring forward plans to build the Southwest pipeline and ensure that the funding allocation for the pipeline is released publicly and budgeted for in the 2020-21 budget.”
LNP Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause said SEQWater already has work underway to connect Beaudesert to the water grid in 2021 through the Southwest pipeline.
“This work needs to be fast tracked and Labor need to release costings and budget for it,” Mr Krause said.
“Canungra is now having water trucked into its reservoir from Beaudesert owing to drought and the shutdown of its water treatment plant.
“If the drought continues in the longer term, Kooralbyn and Rathdowney will also face town water shortages.
“To ensure secure water supply for Beaudesert, and the broader region such as Kooralbyn, Rathdowney and Canungra, and continuing allocations for farmers and other businesses from the Logan River and Maroon Dam, this pipeline need to be a priority.”