RESTRICTIVE pricing on readily available water is stifling development, jobs and industry in the North West, Robbie Katter says.
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The State Member for Mount Isa is calling on the State Government to review its $1420 per mega-litre pricing so that producers can afford access to water from the Great Artesian Basin.
“We can forget about job creation and stimulating the industries and economies of rural communities if this water isn’t priced so that it’s accessible,” he said.
“Water is a natural resource that costs zero – it doesn’t need any infrastructure.”
We need to give producers an opportunity to do what the Government should be doing which is developing their land and creating jobs and boosting associated industries
- Robbie Katter
“Our producers just need the State Government to get out of the way and take away some regulations so that they can develop and value-add to their property and the district.”
“We need to give producers an opportunity to do what the Government used to do - and should be doing now – which is developing their land and creating jobs and boosting associated industries.”
“At the moment, we’re doing the opposite by imposing deterring prices for the water and regulations on how much water they can take.”
Mr Katter said the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) needed to be realistic and practical.
“There is a need for some regulation on how much water can be taken, but at the moment water management is out of control,” he said.
“There are proactive landholders who are willing to spend millions of dollars on development – but their hands are tied with the exorbitant water prices that have been set.”
“This is also a small component of a big issue relating to water from the Flinders River which also faces the same imposition.”
Mr Katter said the pricing was stifling development in the North West, on some of the best farming land in the country.
“We have beautiful black soil plains that are perfect for grazing and growing fodder – it’s crying out for development,” he said.
“Is the government serious about Northern development and unlocking our potential?”
“If they are, then they need to make water affordable and accessible for small-scale farming operations.”
“All of this talk about Northern development and supporting farmers is ridiculous unless they address the real practicalities of the costs and availability of water that’s sitting there running out to sea.”