Queensland farmers have welcomed confirmation the federal government will fund the restoration of a lowered dam wall amid sweeping cuts to water projects across the state.
There were concerns that $600 million promised by former federal water minster Keith Pitt to fund half the restoration of the Paradise Dam wall near Bundaberg might be reconsidered as Labor audited dam funding across the board.
But the Water for Australia Plan announced in last night's budget includes the $1.2 billion project to be jointly funded by the state government, which lowered the wall in 2020 due to safety concerns.
There are still concerns, however, about the timing of the repair work as growers face a La Niña wet season, with the 170,000-megalitre facility already at 100 per cent capacity.
In a statement, Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said the government was investing in "evidence-based science, planning and construction projects".
"The Australian government will deliver a strong, secure and sensible national water plan for the future – for towns and communities, for industry, and for the environment. All three go hand in hand.
"Constructive and collaborative discussions with state governments and stakeholders have already begun.
"They will continue as we roll out our new Water Grid Investment Framework."
It comes as other Queensland projects like Hells Gate Dam, Emu Swamp and Urannah Dam had their funding withdrawn, reduced or deferred.
Mr Pitt welcomed the Paradise Dam funding but called for more detail to be released.
"I'm very pleased that that is in the budget, but I'm still concerned about when the money will be provided and whether the project is delayed," he said.
Promise now, pay later
Labor senator Anthony Chisholm confirmed the spending would occur over five years.
"That will be working, obviously, in conjunction with the state government who has the lead on the project," he said.
"I know how important the horticultural and agricultural industry is to the local community; there's enormous opportunity for growth.
"This commitment gives confidence for people to go out and invest a bit more money or employ a few more people knowing that the dam is going to be rebuilt."
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive Bree Watson said the project would return the dam to its original 300,000mL storage, but did not account for what was lost in the meantime.
"We have lost millions of dollars in investment, we've had farmers that have had to pull out crops, we've had farmers that haven't been able to plant crops, we've had soaring water prices over those couple of years," she said.
"It's not creating new opportunities, it's simply giving us back what we needed so we can actually get on with the job of increasing our productivity and profitability.
"What we're getting now, and what we've been jumping up and down about, is simply restoring what we did have."
There were still concerns about delays as the region braced for a wet summer, she said.
"We'll be keeping the pressure on to make sure that they're adhering to that [timeframe] as quickly as they possibly can."
