News
25 November, 2021
Somerset and Lockyer water decision delayed
The much-vaunted and long awaited Lockyer and Somerset Water Collaborative project has been delayed again, with Water Minister Glenn Butcher saying more information is required from the Collaborative.
The $200 million project, funded jointly by farmers and the State and Federal Government, is intended to create a guaranteed water supply for farmers, using recycled water from the Bundamba waste water treatment plant.
Despite assertions by the Collaborative members the business case was complete and only required ministerial sign off, a government spokesperson said the case required ‘additional information for Seqwater to analyse the proposal’.
“Seqwater and the Collaborative are currently working together on this additional information which will be an addendum to the Detailed Business Case and will be considered as a possible application to the National Water Grid Authority.”
Jim McDonald, State MP for Lockyer, and a staunch supporter of the Collaborative, said he was ‘pleased to support the Collaborative, their partners and the new company who are pushing forward for funding the project.’
Mr McDonald said the farmers had raised $50 million for the pipeline, with an expectation the Federal Government would contribute $100 million and the Queensland Government would also pay $50 million.
“The Collaborative have done a great job under the policy conditions,” Mr McDonald said.
For the full story, see this week's edition of the Sentinel News
