Delays to Paradise Dam works may increase class action against state government

A class action against the state government may be enlarged as farmers count the costs of the “mismanagement” of Paradise Dam. 

A lawyer representing farmers claiming losses from the “mismanagement” of Paradise Dam warns it could become more expensive for the government if there are further delays to a restoration project.

Bundaberg agribusiness lawyer Tom Marland has joined calls for the federal government to lock in its $600m contribution towards the $1.2bn restoration of the facility.

Mr Marland is representing farmers in a class action against the state government over losses experienced after the dam’s capacity was reduced.

He said they were finalising the claim against the government, and the more delays, the larger the losses claim would be.

“Any delays in funding for the reinstatement of Paradise Dam will increase the risk of further losses in our local farming community,” Mr Marland said.

“Farmers have already spent millions of dollars mitigating the risks to their livelihoods as a result of the lowering of Paradise Dam to roughly 50% of its original capacity.”

Marland Law principal Tom Marland is leading a class action against the Queensland Government in relation to Paradise Dam.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and for Flynn MP Colin Boyce raised concern about if the federal government would honour its election commitment to help fund the restoration.

Their questions arose after Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was “carefully considering all dam funding announcements from the previous government.”

Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher described the claims as an unnecessary worry, and said federal and state governments were committed to the funding.

“For the federal LNP to say they don’t think this is going to happen, is another nasty lie that they’re spreading before the Federal budget comes out in October,” he said.

“We will be delivering this $1.2bn, with the support of the Federal Government moving forward,” he said.

He said significant early works funding had already been secured and the federal government had no intention of backing down from further funding.

Water flows over the wall at the capacity-reduced Paradise Dam after years of drought. Picture: SunWater

“In this year’s budget, we’ve (state Labor) already committed $30 million to deliver early works, on this fantastic local project,” he said.

Mr Marland said any lack of secured funding will only further delay the restoration of the dam and further add to the losses felt by farmers.

He said they were in the process of finalising the claim size.

“The Paradise Dam class action is still forging ahead not only to ensure that the state government keeps its promise to repair the dam but also to try and recoup the significant losses already experienced in this region because of the mismanagement of Paradise Dam,” Mr Marland said.

“If a lack of federal government funding cause the reinstatement of the dam wall to be delayed, then losses will continue to be incurred in our community and those additional losses will be included in the claim against the Queensland Government”.