LNP refused to say if it will help Toowoomba ratepayers cover the cost of $270m Cressbrook Dam upgrade

The dam safety regulator is forcing the TRC into a $270m upgrade to Cressbrook Dam that won’t increase its storage capacity. While the council has reached out to Labor and the LNP both have sidestepped a pre-election commitment.

The LNP has refused to say what help it will extend to Toowoomba ratepayers to cover the cost of the $270m Cressbrook Dam spillway upgrade, saying that it won’t have a full picture of the cost unless it wins government.

The project was mandated by legislation that changed in 2007, after the dam was built, and outlined it would reduce the flood risk downstream.

But importantly it will not add storage capacity.

Successive Toowoomba Regional Councils failed to budget for the upgrade, which must be completed by October 2025, so the burden has been left to the current cohort.

Paying for the project will require the council to push back several key infrastructure projects and bring about an instant and ongoing $350 rate rise for each homeowner.

The TRC has sent a business case to Department of Water that outlines two funding submissions of $100m and $200m, but it is unclear if Water Minister Glenn Butcher or Treasurer Cameron Dick will make a decision before the Labor Government enters caretaker mode ahead of the Queensland election in late October.

Deb Frecklington the Shadow Minister Water sidestepped questions about funding the $270 million Cressbrook Dam upgrade. Photo: Steve Pohlner

If they do not make a decision, then current polling suggests it will be up to the LNP to follow through.

When asked directly if the LNP would either fund the project or alter the legislation mandating it if they win the election, Opposition Water spokeswoman and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington avoided answering.

“The LNP is committed to bringing water security investment back to Queensland and will be investing in water projects across the state,” she said

“The LNP has been listening to those councils affected by the regulation changes, and if elected in October, will work constructively with them to ensure their communities’ long-term water security.”

Shadow Treasurer and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki also held back from making a commitment, saying he would only get a full picture of the costs involved across the state if the LNP wins the election.

“We will work constructively with the council if we are fortunate to form government,” he said.

“Speaking as Shadow Treasurer, there are a whole range of dam upgrades across the state that I have no visibility of right now, and it would be inappropriate for me to commit to anything until I have all the data and information, and I will only get that data if we are successful in October.

“The council has had 15 years to identify the funding that is necessary to undertake this project, I will be working with the council knowing that the 15 years has passed, but I will be having those constructive discussions.”

At a council meeting on Tuesday, deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff said it was a “question of fairness” regarding Toowoomba Regional Council footing the full bill.

The same legislation that mandates the Cressbrook Dam upgrade also affects dams owned by 14 local governments including Gladstone, Mackay, Cairns and Cloncurry.

It also affects the dams owned by SEQ Water, the state government-owned bulk water authority, where upgrades are estimated to cost $6bn.

Ms Vonhoff said unless the state government contributed funding then Toowoomba residents would have to pay for Cressbrook through the rate rise and for SEQ Water’s upgrades through taxes, while residents in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the South East Corner would be spared that extra expense.

“As a taxpayer, we will be subsidising that $6bn amount, we will be subsidising every person in South East Queensland who drinks water from those dams,” she said.

“Are they helping pay for ours?

“Is it fair that people in Cairns have to pay twice, that people in Ipswich have to pay twice, that people in Mackay have to pay twice?”

The Toowoomba Regional Council is waiting Water Minister Glenn Butcher to make a decision about funding the Cressbrook Dam spillway upgrade. Picture: David Clark

The 14 councils affected by the legislation will meet next week to discuss how they can secure financial support from the state government.

“That fairness question is central to what we are talking about,” Ms Vonhoff said.

“For some councils, they will never be able to pay for these upgrades.”

Water Minister Glenn Butcher said he was waiting on his department to review the business case before making a decision.

“This is critical given the sizeable request from council,” he said.

“Let’s remember the LNP’s alternative Treasurer is also the Member for Toowoomba South.

“He has said nothing about supporting Cressbrook, or any water security project for the Darling Downs for that matter.

“So ratepayers need to know that the LNP will always take Toowoomba for granted.”

Originally published as LNP refused to say if it will help Toowoomba ratepayers cover the cost of $270m Cressbrook Dam upgrade