Emu Swamp Dam: SDRC delivers major update on controversial water project

SDRC has given ratepayers the first comprehensive update on the multimillion dollar project in months, and it wasn’t without some debate among councillors.

A detailed new report on Emu Swamp Dam has given fresh insight into current progress on the controversial water security project and when it could move forward.

Southern Downs Regional Council voted in December last year to officially buy into the major development at the cost of 450ML from Storm King Dam, equitable at the time to about $1.125 million.

Mayor Vic Pennisi said at the time that the unanimous decision was “the biggest strategic vote” the council had made in his then-17 years at the table.

A new report tabled as a late agenda item at this week’s SDRC ordinary meeting has now given residents the first major update on Emu Swamp’s progress since April, when the council finalised securing 250ML of unallocated town water from the State Government.

Former Granite Belt Irrigation Project chairman Dan Hunt. State Water minister Glenn Butcher and Southern Downs mayor Vic Pennisi visit the Emu Swamp Dam site.

It included a framework agreement between SDRC and Granite Belt Water Limited encompassing documents such as an infrastructure agreement, water rights transaction deed, water supply deed, and land acquisition contract.

The agenda item stated both the council’s acquisition of 580ML from Emu Swamp Dam and the sale or lease of the 450ML buy-in were both still being finalised under those contracts, which must be signed onto by November 1 to avoid its instant termination.

It also revealed GBWL intend to purchase council land for inundation for the sum of $341,000.

The contractual obligations were the last major hurdles to SDRC’s involvement, with many of the remaining arrangements either completed or the responsibility of GBWL or the Granite Belt Irrigation Project team.

While the report itself wasn’t a matter of contention, discussion around the controversial project wasn’t without some debate.

Cr Pennisi was joined by councillors Stephen Tancred and Cameron Gow in declaring conflicts of interest due to their previous involvement with external project leaders, with Cr Gow opting to remove himself entirely from the discussion and voting process.

It was almost immediately after this that Cr Tancred came under fire for proofreading and making minor changes to a council fact sheet about the project without clearing it with his fellow councillors.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has previously visited the Emu Swamp Dam site, and in April visited Warwick to commit $20 million to improving water security in the region. Picture: News Regional Media

Councillor Jo McNally in particular took issue with the small contribution, arguing representatives needed a clearer stance on conflicts over the ever-contentious Emu Swamp.

“You shouldn’t be participating on any way until we sit around the table here and go, ‘Yep, no you don’t have a conflict of interest, you can participate’,” she said.

“So perhaps for information, it could be determined that Cr Tancred doesn’t have a conflict, and then he could alter it or contribute to it.”

The decision to ask Cr Tancred for expert feedback was staunchly defended by SDRC CEO Dave Burges, who said it was purely for informative purposes and he’d have consulted any councillor with in-depth knowledge a topic for their opinion.

Cr McNally eventually agreed her fellow councillor’s contribution wasn’t in breach of any guidelines, and the report was accepted unanimously.

Cr Tancred also praised the council for its transparency in making the contracts publicly available, and acknowledged it was another small step on the slow path towards beginning construction.

Councillors Sheryl Windle and Marco Gliori were absent from the meeting.

The Emu Swamp Dam project has attracted a combined $55 million contribution from the State and Federal Governments.