I won't back down on dam or mergers: Bligh

Queensland’s first female premier Anna Bligh has ruled out backing down on the Traveston dam or council mergers, but says they could have been handled better.

Queensland’s first female premier Anna Bligh has ruled out backing down on the Traveston dam or council amalgamations, but admitted they could have been handled better.

Ms Bligh said she would not overturn forced mergers of Queensland councils as she had supported them in Cabinet, voted for them in Parliament, and believed they were in Queensland's best interests.

"To be frank, I think we could have and should have handled it better along the way but I supported them because I think they are imperative for the long-term future of Queensland,'' Ms Bligh said.

"I think it would be a very big mistake to walk away from it now,'' she told editors at an APN News and Media conference in Brisbane just hours after her election as leader by the Labor Caucus yesterday.

The Premier-Elect, who was suffering laryngitis and losing her voice, acknowledged both the Traveston dam and the council mergers had caused a lot of heartache, and said the government had to work hard to help local communities heal.

"I don't underestimate how painful it is in some communities, some more than others, and I have a big task ahead of me in reconciliation ... but I don't think the way to do that is to walk away from the tough decisions,'' she said.

On the Traveston dam, Ms Bligh said she firmly believed, after carefully considering advice from all the experts, that the Traveston dam was the best water supply option for south-east Queensland.

She said she had more confidence in that view after the recent deluge on the Coast, which she said would have filled the dam to 60% if it had already been built.

But she admitted there was always the possibility that federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull could knock it back on environmental grounds.

Ms Bligh said if he did so before the next election, it would be without the benefit of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), which is not due to be made public until October. Then there will be six weeks of public consultation before it goes to the federal government.

"I don't think he can make a decision under the act without the environmental work that he has to make a decision on.''

Ms Bligh, who fronted 1000 protesters in Gympie to explain the position on the dam, said she would continue to work with local communities, and travel extensively throughout the state to explain her government's plans.

"I think there's still a lot of people out there in Queensland wondering who Anna Bligh is and I've got an obligation to be out there, meeting with local people, local business people, local councils, so they have got a better understanding of who I am and what I stand for.''

She said she would also ensure the new Local Government Minister was out in the community, helping the transition to regional councils. Andrew Fraser, who was in the controversial job, has been chosen as Treasurer, in a move that has surprised many of his more senior colleagues.

Ms Bligh acknowledged Queensland had to do a better job in managing growth, working harder to anticipate problems before they occurred.

"I want us to plan for that growth and manage it better – I want this growth to drive our economy and maintain our lifestyle

"Our challenge is to stay one step ahead of this growth – this is the task I set for myself as Premier.

"I want the building of our infrastructure – our roads, rail, ports, energy networks, schools, hospitals – and most urgent of all water, to be one of the hallmarks of my Premiership.''

To that end, she announced the establishment of a new Infrastructure and Planning Department to oversee the building of roads, rail, ports, energy networks, schools, hospitals, and most importantly water supply.

Ms Bligh said she would chair a new Infrastructure Cabinet Committee to drive the delivery of all major projects, while her newly elected deputy, Paul Lucas, will lead the new Infrastructure and Planning portfolio.

A big supporter of APN's Queensland on Show expo to lure skilled workers here from interstate, Ms Bligh said there had to be a stronger focus on encouraging people to move into regional Queensland, rather than just the south-east corner, where she acknowledged there were major problems with roads and transport.

Ms Bligh said she would not be “wildly different” from Peter Beattie in her stance on major issues, as she had been a part of many of the major commitments his government had made.

But she said she would “not hold a candle” to his performance as a “self-confessed media tart”.

"I am quieter and more thoughtful – not that I am saying that Peter is thoughtless – but I am more likely to spend a bit longer making a decision… I am decisive, but I want to get it right.''

MP for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara will be elevated to Cabinet, to give better representation to regional Queensland.

Ms Bligh will be sworn in as Premier tomorrow, when she is expected to also announce her new Cabinet. However, she has already indicated that Stephen Robertson will retain the crucial health portfolio.

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Originally published as I won't back down on dam or mergers: Bligh