Queensland’s Coordinator-General has declared the proposed $2.9 billion Urannah Dam to be a new coordinated project.
The project will now go through an impact assessment process to determine any significant environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts it may have on the region.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project had the potential to create up to 1,200 full-time equivalent jobs during construction and 675 full-time jobs once operations had begun.
The proposed project, which includes a new dam on the Broken River, would have a capacity up to 1.5 million megalitres, as well as a water pipeline network and an irrigated precinct for high-value agriculture.
It would also feature a pumped hydro-electricity power scheme in the upper Broken River Valley, north-west of Mackay.
Assistant Minister for State Development, Julieanne Gilbert said the proponent, Bowen River Utilities, would now begin preparing a comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS).
“This project potentially means water security and jobs for our part of Queensland,” Ms Gilbert, who is also the MP for Mackay, said.
“The ongoing rigorous assessment will include extensive community consultation, so locals can help shape the requirements of the EIS.”
Minister for State Development, Cameron Dick said the Government would continue investigating proposals for new water infrastructure for central and northern Queensland.
“If there’s a big job-creating project proposed for Queensland that has merit, we’ll look at it,” Mr Dick said.
“These assessments are extremely thorough, and through the independent Office of the Coordinator-General we look to identify the most optimal projects for our regions,” he said.
