The long-awaited restoration of the Paradise Dam wall in Queensland's Wide Bay Burnett region will begin next year with the state government announcing they will fund half of the $1.2 billion project.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited Paradise Dam this morning and called on the federal government to match her commitment to reinstate the wall back to its original height.
The wall was lowered by 5.8 metres in 2020 due to structural concerns.
Returning the wall to its original height will mean the dam will be back to its full 300,000-megalitre capacity.
The project's design will be completed this year, with early work to commence in 2023.
"We've worked very cooperatively with the federal government on Rookwood Weir where we have been able to secure joint investment and now we're asking the federal government to match our commitment to this dam," the Premier said.
"The local federal member is the federal Water Minister, so I can't understand why he would not agree to this.
"We expect that ... there will be over 250 construction jobs."
State government eyes construction completion date
Mr Butcher, Queensland's Minister for Water, said the project would take three to four wet seasons to complete from the start of construction in 2023.
"This is a massive project — when you do works on a massive spillway which we have seen recently overflowing, that will be some time out of the project," he said.
"My conversation with Barnaby Joyce a few weeks ago now was very fruitful; he said he would look at supporting it, but that's up to him.
"We've put our money on the table, now we're looking to see if they will support this wonderful project for this region.
"If they (federal government) don't come on board, this Premier will get this dam built."
Meanwhile, Shadow Minister for Water Deb Frecklington has called the Premier's announcement a patch-up job.
"This isn’t an announcement; this is the Queensland government cleaning up its own mess," she said.
"They made a mess and now they want recognition for cleaning it up.
"The Premier’s largest investment in water infrastructure will not capture one extra drop of water for Queenslanders — that is embarrassing."
Growers' welcome announcement but ask for end date
Macadamia and lychee grower Craig Van Rooyen said the announcement was overdue but a "great" announcement for the region.
"Prior to the dam coming down, there was lots of investment coming in; as soon as they knocked that dam wall down it put a lot of investment on hold and really dropped the confidence of this area.
"With this new announcement it will increase the confidence again, investment will start flowing back into some of these farming operations.
"We are going to be without water security for around seven years and that is a massive worry.
"Until they start building that wall, we don't know that it is definitely going to go back up.
"When they start building that wall — that's when we'll know."
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the Premier's commitment.
"I join her in calling on the Commonwealth to match this commitment," Mr Dempsey said.
"Rebuilding Paradise Dam is not only essential for the Bundaberg Region, it's vitally important for Australia's food security."
Federal Minister for Water Keith Pitt says he has continually advocated for the dam's restoration.
"As the local federal member, I have heard first-hand the frustrations and fears from local growers as they waited for a decision on the dam," Mr Pitt said.
"I have previously stated the federal Coalition government stands ready to provide financial assistance and we are now working through that process."
