TURNING the North West into an agricultural hub has led to a political stoush for Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps and State Member for Mount Isa Rob Katter.
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Mr Cripps lashed out at accusations by Mr Katter in parliament that the project was being stalled by government.
"Can the Minister explain to the House how he reconciles the Government's intention to double agriculture by 2020 with the fact that after nearly 12 months in office the Flinders River is still limited to the 80,000 megalitres of allocation held back by the ALP?" Mr Katter asked.
Mr Katter said demand outweighed the inadequate allocation for the project and potential users were frustrated they were still facing similar obstacles as under the Labor Government.
But Mr Cripps suggested Mr Katter "stop his politicking and stop criticising a process that will grow the economy of the electorate he purports to represent."
"What sort of regional MP criticises a process that will bring jobs and economic benefits to his constituents?," he said.
"I have been working collaboratively with the Flinders River Agricultural Precinct group and have taken on board their feedback throughout the tendering process.
My aim has always been that this initial release of water to encourage the development of irrigated agriculture in the North West is a success."
Mr Katter queried why Mr Cripps was enthusiastic about getting this project off the ground last June, but since the initial meeting in Hughenden in July last year, nothing more had been discussed.
"We have 6.57 million megalitres of water flooding past our fertile plains into the Gulf, and a mere six per cent of the flow could turn the struggling cattle grazing towns in the North West into an agricultural hub," Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter said the Newman Government was deliberating over pricing the water in the system despite no need for cost recovery due to no associated infrastructure.
Mr Katter said he had read the Government's Queensland's Agriculture Strategy: A 2040 vision to double the value of production was "light on detail".
But Mr Cripps said that his intentions to follow through with the project were clear.
"After only three months in Government I took action to release every drop of water available under the current Gulf Resource Operations Plan which covers the Gilbert and Flinders River Catchments," he said.
"I have also repeatedly stated my clear intention to consider releasing more water from these catchments should this initial tender process be well subscribed, and should potential irrigators make a solid and sustainable business and environmental case in support of their applications.
"Mr Katter is well aware that a thorough and transparent commercial tender process is being undertaken by Department of National Resource and Mines officers," he said.