Call for federal seed funding to see Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative to completion

Described by Mr Millar as one of the most successful environmental water saving programs introduced by any government, he would like to see enough money put into the program that all capping and piping works can be completed, not just see phase four through to completion.

He estimates that $10m will be needed for bore rehabilitation/capping and piping works programs after June 30, which he said is not much compared to the benefits it would bring.

“It pays for itself in the water it saves, and it’s permanent infrastructure that will last for 60 or 70 years,” he said.

The program has been funded equally by federal and state governments, along with graziers, which Mr Millar said gave all parties “skin in the game”.

“I respectfully ask you to consider even an additional $2m to $3m, which equates to $6m to $9m, with the corresponding input from the state and landholders.”

He said it was important to get away from the stop-start nature of the program, depending on the colour of government in power, which meant that skilled people working in the program had no certainty of employment.

The Great Artesian Basin underlies most of the Gregory electorate, and the renewed push for CSG exploration/development to redress east coast gas shortages, which will potentially result in greater extraction of water and potential loss of pressure, particularly in gas field areas, was also raised by Mr Millar.

“Without wanting to get into the geotechnical arguments of the water savings made by GABSI works potentially being lost through further CSG development, I wish to make the point that the GABSI program has been very good for western and far western Queensland, especially during the prolonged drought,” he said.

“Everybody recognises it as a great program. It’s a no-brainer, really,” he said.