Mixed news for dam plan

Project heads involved in the Emu Swamp Dam project said there's no cause for alarm after the dam build didn't get a mention in Tuesday night's Federal Budget.

Deputy PM Michael McCormack and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on their visit to the proposed Emu Swamp Dam site. Picture: Matthew Purcell

PROJECT heads involved in the Emu Swamp Dam project said there's no cause for alarm after the dam build didn't get a mention in Tuesday night's Federal Budget.

Granite Belt Irrigation Project chairman Dan Hunt said he still trusts the government will support the build.

"I'm not sure whether it's big enough to be visible in the Federal Budget. There's still money there within the fund so there's funds available, I'm fairly confident of that,” Mr Hunt said.

"I wouldn't take it as a negative at this stage. They're still committed - that's certainly what the federal politicians have been telling us anyway.”

They also missed the boat on the Queensland Government submitting the project for funds.

The State Government had until Monday afternoon to submit an application for the project to receive funding through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, a move it opted not to do.

"The State Government still has some questions they want answered and we've asked them what they're looking for,” Mr Hunt said.

"The NWIDF stays open until it is expended. It's a process we have to go through with them to work out what can be resolved before the project starts. We have to give them enough comfort that there's certainty in the delivery of the project for it to actually happen.”

In positive news for the project, however, it received $450,000 from the Federal Government to continue work.

"That will keep us going with the environmental approvals because while we've got all the approvals in place, the project has changed somewhat.”

The Co-ordinator General, Barry Broe, has also extended the necessary environmental approvals until April 2, 2020.