Water prices to be slashed for Queensland farmers if the LNP wins the election

Queensland farmers have been promised a massive reduction in water prices if the LNP is successful at the polls come October.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has pledged a 20 per cent reduction in water costs for Queensland farmers. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Farmers will pay 20 per cent less on their water in a jobs-boosting election commitment made by LNP leader Deb Frecklington.

Ms Frecklington made the announcement from the Burdekin as part of her economic plan to stimulate the economy should the LNP win the October 31 state election.

It comes as part of the party’s plan to “supercharge” the regions and unleash industry through new dams and water infrastructure.

“Today we complement our bold dam-building plan by slashing water costs for farmers,” she said.

“Cheaper water means more secure regional jobs, and a near 20 per cent reduction in water costs is a major job creator for regional Queensland.

“I want Queensland to be Australia’s food bowl, and cheaper water costs will be a catalyst for that.”

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and Burnett MP Stephen Bennett at Paradise Dam southwest of Bundaberg.

The LNP dam plan includes major infrastructure projects like the New Bradfield Scheme and Nullinga Dam.

“SunWater currently services nearly 5000 irrigator customers throughout rural and regional Queensland by providing water for crops like fruit, vegetables, cane, cotton and grains,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The LNP understands water prices are already too high, and without affordable water, Queensland businesses and farms won’t be able to employ Queenslanders.”

As part of the ambitious plan, the LNP would implement recommendations from the Queensland Competition Authority to modernise water service provider SunWater.

“The RAB (regulatory asset base) approach recovers costs from customers as incurred yearly rather than attempting to estimate the replacement cost of an asset at the end of its life,” she said.

Minister for Natural Resources Dr Anthony Lynham said the LNP needed to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to water infrastructure.

The state’s Natural Resources Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, said the Opposition must first explain their lack of action on water projects when Ms Frecklington was an assistant minister.

It comes as the Palaszczuk Government locks in a $50 billion infrastructure guarantee as part of their plan for economic recovery, including investment in water projects.

“The only thing the LNP did while in government was to can a dam – the Connors River Dam – and prepare dams for sale,” Dr Lynham said.

“The LNP’s plan to undertake a statewide water asset audit is just code for preparing those assets for sale.”

Dr Lynham said his government were working to support the state’s food and fibre sector as the fallout from COVID-19 continues.

“We are freezing irrigation prices for a year and absorbing dam safety costs,” he said.

“Thousands of Queensland farmers will now see their irrigation water prices remain the same or fall next year.”