Another step towards the construction of a 10,000 megalitre weir on the Burdekin River 26km north of Charters Towers has been taken, with the announcement that the draft terms of the reference for the Big Rocks Weir's environmental impact statement have been released.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the draft terms were open for public comment from Monday.
"Big Rocks Weir is now one of three major water infrastructure projects in the broader Burdekin catchment currently undergoing full environmental impact assessment processes," Mr Miles said.
The other two that have also been declared as coordinated projects and are undergoing assessment are the proposed raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam wall, declared a coordinated project in July 2020, and the proposed Urannah Project, declared in May 2020.
The final terms of reference for the $2.9b Urannah Project's EIS were released at the end of March.
"The Queensland government supports progressing investigations into the construction of the weir as proposed at Big Rocks on the Burdekin River," Mr Miles said. "Major infrastructure projects such as these are helping us to plan for better water security and more jobs for Queenslanders."
Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the proposed Big Rocks Weir project could boost North Queensland's economy and create jobs for the north.
He said it would augment urban and agricultural water supply in the Charters Towers region, supporting ongoing jobs growth and water security.
According to Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Frank Beveridge, this was a meaningful step towards construction.
"Council has and will continue to advocate for the construction of Big Rocks Weir," he said.
"During construction it will create more than 170 full-time jobs.
"Once built it will increase water supply for high-value agriculture and ensure water security for Charters Towers."
The draft terms of reference set out the matters the council must address when preparing the EIS, and Cr Beveridge encouraged residents to look over the draft document and provide any feedback they may have.
Public comment can be made until 5pm on Monday, June 7.
Mr Miles said the public would be able to make submissions on the draft EIS later in the "rigorous assessment of all environmental, social and economic effects, informed by extensive community consultation".
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
