#GoQld: Rookwood Weir approved amid row over federal-state funding

IT’S a vital Queensland project first flagged during the Beattie era. Now Barnaby Joyce says the State Government is the only thing standing in its way.

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A DAM to help to droughtproof regional Queensland and provide a boom in farming production has received its final tick of approval.

Federal Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce will today announce Rookwood Weir has passed its final environmental approvals and only needs state government funding to begin construction.

The Rockhampton-based weir was promised in 2006 by then-premier Peter Beattie who said it would be built by 2011. The Commonwealth predicts the $300 million project will create 2100 jobs.

It was one of the priorities identified by The Courier-Mail’s #goqld campaign.

Mr Joyce said the weir was “shovel-ready” and the Coalition had $130 million to half-fund it, but it was being held up by the State Government.

“It’s been stalling on the business case for months, despite the fact that $2 million to finalise that business case is being funded by the Federal Coalition Government,” he said.

“It is predicted to fuel a $1 billion boom in farm production and create up to 2100 jobs.”

Mr Joyce has been in an ongoing battle with the State Labor Government over the weir and funding for studies into a network of 14 dams across the state.

State Water Minister Mark Bailey previously said Mr Joyce was using stunts and argued the business case was not yet ready for Rookwood, while investigations were also taking place into raising Eden Bann weir, also near Rockhampton.

Federal Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan said water infrastructure projects were vital to boost the economy in regional Queensland.

“More water means more wealth and more jobs – and jobs are what central and north Queensland needs,” he said.

Mr Joyce said the State Labor Government was concerned about losing Greens preferences in the lead-up to the election, which could be held later this year.