- The proposed Hells Gate Dam in North Queensland set to receive $5.4 billion from the Federal Government to deliver water security for Northern Queensland
- The Government says it will guarantee the funding to build the dam in the upcoming 2022-2023 Federal Budget
- The dam go-ahead is subject to a business case in June this year, as well as other environmental approvals
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison says delivering water infrastructure in North Queensland is vital to securing a strong economy while supporting farmers and industry
- The dam will be the largest in Queensland, opening up 60,000 hectares of irrigation across the region
The proposed Hells Gate Dam in North Queensland has received $5.4 billion from the Federal Government, which intends guaranteeing the funding to build the dam in next week’s 2022-23 Federal Budget.
The go-ahead for the project is subject to a business case in June this year as well as environmental approvals.
The dam will deliver water security for the northern Queensland region, especially the agriculture sector.
Hells Gate is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs and inject up to $1.3 billion of gross regional product into the region’s economy during construction.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering water infrastructure in North Queensland was vital to securing a strong economy while supporting farmers and industry.
“We need to build more dams in Australia. Building dams makes our economy stronger by supporting our agricultural industries to realise their true potential,” he said.
“Water is a precious resource and we need more dams to better use that resource.
“We’ve done the homework on Hells Gates Dam and it’s now time to get on and build it. We have put our money on the table, so let’s cut the green tape, get the approvals and get it done.”
The proposed project comprises a 2,100-gigalitre dam in the Upper Burdekin catchment area, 120 kilometres north-west of Townsville.
The dam would be the largest in Queensland, opening up 60,000 hectares of irrigation across the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would help North Queensland realise its full potential.
“North Queensland holds enormous agricultural opportunity and this funding for Hells Gates is part of our plan to unlock this major irrigation expansion,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Irrigating the regional soils of the Burdekin will help the region realise its full potential as a producer of the food Australians and the world needs, driving us closer to taking agricultural production to over $100 billion a year by 2030. This will create more jobs and generate more wealth for our nation.”
“The sooner water flows in the west, the sooner we can sell more products to the world and earn the money that will help make Australia as strong as possible as quickly as possible,” he concluded.