Labor and KAP challenge LNP on Hells Gates Dam commitment

The LNP’s signature announcement for North Queensland is under fire with claims the government is misleading voters.

The LNP’s signature announcement for North Queensland — funding of $5.4bn to build Hells Gate Dam on the Burdekin River — is under fire with claims the government is misleading voters.

Meanwhile, government MP Phillip Thompson maintains they will build the dam, subject to business case findings and the agreement of the state government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last month funding had been “locked in”.

But budget papers show total commitments for multiple water projects across Australia amount to only $834.5m out to 2025-26.

Of the Queensland projects, only the Big Rocks Weir near Charters Towers, Paradise Dam upgrade near Bundaberg and Emu Swamp dam on the Southern Down look close to starting.

No timing has been provided for Hells Gate and environmental assessment is needed.

“It’s pie in the sky from the major parties. It’s a baseless announcement,” Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Herbert Clynton Hawks said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce visit Townsville Port to announce funding of $5.4bn to build Hells Gates Dam. Picture: Adam Taylor

“They are pretty much misleading voters with an announcement that has not got the prior planning done for it,” Mr Hawks said.

Labor candidate for Herbert John Ring published an image of Mr Morrison and Mr Thompson on Facebook with the words “Standing at Hells Gates — all announcements no substance”,

Mr Ring said budget documents showed less than 10 per cent of the $5.4bn commitment would be injected into the community by 2025.

When asked about the budget papers and construction timing, Mr Thompson said the funding was “guaranteed” .

“It’s guaranteed funding to build the dam, subject to the completion of the final stage of the business case, expected in June this year. We have received the draft business case and so has the Queensland Labor Government,” Mr Thompson said.

“We don’t need a single cent from the Queensland Labor Government, all we need is them to agree to build the project.”

Charters Towers Mayor Frank Beveridge said the council was very enthusiastic to see the idea raised with funding but he acknowledged there would still be much work to be done on the project, not just in planning but in reaching agreement with the state.

It would take “some work” to get the two governments on the same page, Cr Beveridge said.

As someone in the middle of the planning process for the $60m Big Rocks Weir — with construction expected to begin next year — Cr Beveridge said he knew how complex these projects were.

Originally published as Labor and KAP challenge LNP on Hells Gates Dam commitment