Water scheme idle as farmers struggle

FUSING into the already created infrastructure in the Lockyer Valley is a no-brainer according to LNP spokesperson, Jeff Seeney.

Mr Seeney said a $2.4 billion recycled water scheme had been built but was virtually sitting idle as farmers continued to struggle with water problems.

“The infrastructure is there – we just need to use it,” Mr Seeney said on a visit to Jordan’s Access off the Gatton/Esk Road.

Mr Rickuss said the Lockyer Valley should be taking advantage of the recycled water scheme instead of letting the water go to waste.

“To have this scheme and the pipeline within view of such fertile areas such as the valleys surrounding Brisbane and Ipswich and not supplying much needed extra water is ridiculous,” Mr Rickuss said.

Mr Seeney said a full review of all the region’s water projects should be carried out to see what was appropriate, and what was a reasonable price water could be supplied to industry and agriculture.

“Lake Dyer, Lake Clarendon and Atkinson Dam are all off-stream storages, with infrastructure in place that could be part of the scheme.”

Qualipac director, Troy Qualischefski, was in favour of the idea, stressing the importance of water.

He said this idea needed to be given serious attention and be put at a reasonable price.

He said farmers were realistic that a price has to be paid for the water, but the government also needed to realise what price they put on water.