Deputy Prime Minister announces $600m Paradise Dam funding match

Days after the State promised $600m to fixing Paradise Dam, the Federal Government has agreed to match it but not without blaming Labor for breaking it in the first place and listing where the eye-watering figures could have been spent instead.

Fixing Paradise Dam is essential for Wide Bay Burnett farmers and the nation’s food bowl but the staggering repair bill means a big whack of Federal money is off the table for the region’s other critical projects.

This was the position of Hinkler MP Keith Pitt on Friday as Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce officially revealed the Federal Government would match the State Government’s $600m to restore the dam to its full capacity.

The call for the price match was made earlier this week when the Queensland Premier promised a $600m share during a press conference at the dam.

Speaking to reporters at the Macadamias Australia factory in Bundaberg, Mr Joyce said it was important to end uncertainty over the dam’s future as farmers in the region had spent “the last two years in limbo”.

“It’s all well and good for the Queensland Labor Government to say they’ll fix the dam, but the funding they’ve committed falls well short of what’s required to complete the job,” Mr Joyce said.

“Our investment will help provide the water security the region needs while supporting 250 construction jobs and unlocking new and expanded opportunities for farmers and businesses.”

Mr Pitt said taxpayers wouldn’t be in this position if the Queensland Labor Government had built the dam properly in the first place.

“Despite desperate pleas to fix it from our local agriculture sector over the last two years, we’ve had nothing but delays and excuses from the state government about why it couldn’t be done,” Mr Pitt said.

“While I am pleased that we are able to deliver the money that’s necessary, it breaks my heart to think that this funding could have gone to a new Level 5 hospital for Bundaberg or to dual-carriage the Maryborough-Bundaberg section of the Bruce Highway.”

During her announcement Ms Palaszczuk said it was “time to get on with the job”.

News Courier Mail 8.2.2022, Paradise Dam, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, at Paradise dam with Deputy Premier Steven Miles, Bundaberg member Tom Smith & Minister Glenn Butcher Photo Paul Beutel

“Returning Paradise Dam to its original height and reinforcing the wall will deliver long-term water security for the region and keep communities located further downstream safe,” she said

“This rebuild will also support thousands of long-term jobs and deliver significant flow-on benefits for local businesses and contractors, making it an important initiative in the economic recovery of this region.”

Lawyer Tom Marland, who is leading the class action against Paradise Dam, said growers joining together to create a “uniting force” was the driving factor for funding to finally be put on the table.

“Our whole economy in some way relies on water security, so we do thank the efforts that have gone in by our local government, our state government and our federal government, but I really think it’s testament to what happens when farmers get together,” he said.

“But we wont rest until that dam’s restored.”

The Federal Government will establish a project team to work with the Queensland Government to ensure the rebuild progresses without further delay and Paradise Dam is built back better and to modern standards.

Early works for the rebuild will commence in 2023.