The ABC reports (26.5.16) on the federal government’s announcement that it would commit $150M to the construction of dams and other water infrastructure projects in Queensland, including $130M to build a new dam on the Fitzroy River inland from Rockhampton. The proposal is reliant on a matching contribution from the state government.
‘The Coalition has announced it would spend $130 million to build the Rookwood Weir on the Fitzroy River if re-elected.
‘They will also spend $20 million for 14 feasibility studies for new dams in the state, hoping they would boost agricultural production by $1 billion and create more than 2,000 news jobs.
‘The announcement comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce visit Capricornia today, one of the Coalition’s most marginal seats.
‘The funding comes from $2 billion of funding the Federal Government has allocated as part of its dams policy.