MOUNT Isa Mayor Tony McGrady has called for an urgent national summit of federal and state government to develop a national strategy on water.
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Cr McGrady said he was outraged at the lack of recognition and response for the North West’s drought-related water crisis in the release of the Agricultural Competitiveness green paper by Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce this week.
A national summit is the only way to develop fair management and implementation of water resources for regional areas, Cr McGrady said.
Mr Joyce said the paper was designed to outline fresh ideas on “a range of vitally important issues for the future of our nation including infrastructure, drought support, trade and finance”.
But with a list of nine potential water infrastructure projects that could warrant possible Commonwealth involvement in Queensland alone, Mount Isa failed to make the list.
Cr McGrady said with the green paper’s focus on ensuring regions had adequate water resources to promote economic growth and development, he saw the omission of a new dam proposal for Mount Isa and the North West as a gross oversight.
“Mount Isa has a long-held reputation for being the premier mining city of Australia, and a consistent source of royalties, and to maintain the ongoing operations, along with a readily available workforce, state and federal government must realise that this city is in need of assistance in terms of water infrastructure,” Cr McGrady said.
“There has been a recent stream of very reputable data that recognises Mount Isa’s growth potential and resource-rich potential, but none of this will be achievable without an ongoing and cost-effective water supply.
“Currently, both industry and residents are relying on the limited water supply the city possesses, and paying dearly for it. Our people are paying to keep Mount Isa alive and well, while both state and federal [governments] continue to reap the benefits of what the North West produces.
“I will be contacting the federal member and every Queensland senator to come together and form a coalition for water justice for this important part of this state.”
Queensland sites named likely to be suitable for further consideration for possible assistance to accelerate feasibility studies, cost benefit analysis or design include Burdekin Falls Dam (including water for Bowen) Nullinga Dam for Cairns, and Urannah Dam for Collinsville, Queensland.