Chamber of Commerce lauds dam announcement

The Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce say they're ecstatic over the Federal Government's dam announcement on Monday.

KICK THE TIN: Chamber of Commerce representatives joined politicians for the dam announcement on Monday. Picture: Matthew Purcell

THE Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce is ecstatic over the Federal Government's dam announcement on Monday.

The chamber has played a big role in progressing the project and chamber representative Stephen Tancred said it was an important step to secure a further $5million to go towards road construction around the dam.

"To have the Acting Prime Minister back in our town just two weeks after the Federal Election means that he has great faith in the Granite Belt's future,” Mr Tancred said.

"Considering all the towns and cities and states that are now clamouring for project support from the newly elected government, this is an important sign that the Granite Belt Irrigation Project is definitely on the radar as an important nation building project.

"The Labor party backed the project during the election campaign, proving that this is a project with strong bipartisan support, which now bodes well for the Labor State Government to also commit financially.

"It was also pleasing that the Southern Downs Mayor spoke publicly at the announcement about council possibly being interested in also obtaining water from the dam for urban use.

"This is very encouraging as the project was planned as an urban plus irrigation dam for the past 20 years, and there is no use advancing our major industry and leaving our town water users behind.”

Chamber vice-president Scott Bradburn was at the dam announcement with secretary Amanda Harrold, dam subcommittee chair Stephen Tancred, farming rep Tim Carnell and past-president Vic Pennisi. Chamber president Bill James and past-president Ian Henderson sent apologies.

"The project could not have got to its advanced state without a lot of blood, sweat and tears from these three chamber presidents,” Ms Harrold said.