Work on Big Rocks Weir is set to start following Charters Towers Regional Council funding pre-construction activities.
Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham said water security was critical to jobs, growth and North Queensland’s economic recovery.
“Queensland has a plan for economic recovery and traditional strengths like agriculture underpin that plan,” he said.
“The Government will provide Council with $3 million to conduct environmental and other regulatory approvals, geotechnical assessments, detailed weir design, and water product and pricing definition.”
Charters Towers Mayor Frank Beveridge said Council would work closely with the State, through water service provider Sunwater, to fast track pre-construction activities.
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“Council is committed to the continued development of this region-changing project,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the State Government to bring this project to fruition. “
The Queensland Government has committed another $27 million for the construction of the 10,000 megalitre weir about 26 kilometres north-west of Charters Towers on the Burdekin River.
Construction of the weir is expected to support more than 170 jobs at its peak.
It is part of the $1.2 billion in funding the Queensland Government has committed to water infrastructure since 2017.
Lynham said the Charters Towers Regional Council had made a council resolution to be the proponent to construct, own and operate the weir into the future.
“The Palaszczuk Government wants to support Council to undertake these necessary activities so construction can start as soon as possible,” he said.