The Hon Michelle Landry MP
Assistant Minister for Children and Families
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia
Federal Member for Capricornia
Ken O’Dowd MP
Federal Member for Flynn
MEDIA RELEASE
After an announcement of the completion of the first stage of the water sales process, Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd, have called upon the Queensland Government to ensure water prices are affordable for farmers, primary producers and graziers who seek to purchase water from Rookwood Weir.
The calls come after the Queensland Government announced the first stage of water sales process completed and an announcement of Sunwater and construction partners receiving approval to enter Stage 2 of construction.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the construction of Rookwood Weir and water sales are making progress but questions still need to be answered on the final price of water.
“Rookwood Weir was always envisaged to be a transformational water project for Central Queensland.
“The issue of affordability with water from Rookwood Weir is raised with me almost as often of the reduced capacity of the weir. It needs to be addressed as a priority,” Ms Landry said.
“If the Queensland Government refuses to build Rookwood Weir to the full 76,000 megalitres of high-priority water as originally promised, at the very least, they need to ensure water remains affordable for the farmers who wish to purchase water.”
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said the Queensland Government needs to do the right thing by Central Queensland farmers.
“While I think most Central Queenslanders would welcome the progress of Rookwood Weir so far, the price and availibility of water from the weir still causes great uncertainty amongst farmers, graziers and primary producers.
“The Federal Government has assisted the progression of Rookwood Weir at every opportunity, and we respectfully ask the Queensland Government to help ensure water prices are reasonable for Central Queensland farmers,” Mr O’Dowd said.
