02-May-2011
Portfolio Media Releases
The Coalition's Dams and Water Management Task Group is this week visiting North Queensland to examine existing water assets and to assess possible enhancements.
The Group, chaired by Andrew Robb will visit Hughenden, Richmond and Georgetown on Tuesday and Wednesday for site inspections and talks with local government officials, graziers and community representatives.
"The catchments and river systems of northern Australia are critical to our water management both now and in to the future and it is important that the Task Group gains a full understanding of not only its current role, but also its further potential," Mr Robb said.
The visit will include fly-overs of the Burdekin Dam and the site earmarked for a Mount Beckford Dam near Hughenden.
The group will also include Senator Barnaby Joyce (Deputy chairman), Senator Ian Macdonald and Senator Simon Birmingham. The Task Group also comprises Greg Hunt and Senator Bill Heffernan.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott formed the Task Group to end our nation's 'dam phobia', which has been largely driven by political correctness.
The group is tasked with identifying potential future dam sites and related areas of improved water management.
"Dams and other water management techniques play a vital role in water storage, irrigation and food security, but also in flood mitigation and can play a role in the generation of zero emissions hydro-electricity," Mr Robb said.