Governments unlock $6M for Big Rocks Weir
Critical pre-construction work on the Big Rocks Weir project will be fast-tracked after the federal and state governments agreed to unlock $6 million in funding.
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CRITICAL pre-construction work on the Big Rocks Weir project will be fast-tracked after the federal and state governments agreed to unlock $6 million in funding.
The announcement comes as Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher and Special Envoy for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald made a visit to the site of the water project, north of Charters Towers on the Burdekin River, on Tuesday.
This funding, provided on a 50:50 split, will flow to Charters Towers Regional Council to fast-track pre-construction activities including geotechnical work, environmental analysis and approvals and the development of a market ready design.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce said the long-awaited project would boost the economy and confidence of communities in the Charters Towers region.
“Supporting over 200 construction and ongoing jobs, this project will provide significant growth and employment opportunities for the region,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This project will provide a reliable and sustainable source of water to help our northern Queensland farmers to recover and grow their businesses into the future.”
Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher said the construction of this weir was a unique opportunity to deliver an infrastructure project that will bring growth to the broader Charters Towers community.
“Local farmers can have confidence in planning for the future knowing that all levels of government are investing in new projects to deliver additional long-term water security,” Mr Butcher said.
“This project will develop a 188-metre-long, 10,000-megalitres-capacity weir at Big Rocks, supporting regional communities through an improved water supply network and creating more local jobs.”
Special Envoy for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald said this is welcome news for the communities of regional North Queensland.
“Some of the water captured by the weir will be available to support up to 5,000 hectares of higher-value agriculture, including avocados, macadamias and citrus, with the rest going toward boosting water security in the Charters Towers region,” Senator McDonald said.
“This is an exciting time for our regions, as the construction of the Big Rocks Weir will also bring with it an improved lifestyle, as well as recreation and tourism opportunities.”
The pre-construction phase will deliver on-site geotechnical work, facilitate environmental analysis and approvals, maximise water yields for local irrigation, finalise engineering for the project, support the development of market-ready infrastructure design, and sure-up the water demand and pricing.
Pre-construction is expected to finish in late 2022, which subject to all approvals will allow construction to start in early 2023 following the wet season.
The Australian Government has committed $54 million to the Hells Gates Dam Scheme, with $24 million to fully fund the detailed business case completed in August 2020 and $30 million towards the construction of the Big Rocks Weir.
The Australian Government’s funding for the weir is being provided through the National Water Grid Fund, which is paving the way to national water security, while promoting economic activity and job creation.
The Queensland Government has committed $30 million towards the Big Rocks Weir project, with $3 million funding pre-construction work and $27 million committed for full construction activities subject to the detailed business case and approvals.
For further information on the Big Rock Weir project, visit www.nqwia.gov.au/projects.
Originally published as Governments unlock $6M for Big Rocks Weir
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