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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Mr LAWLOR: Minister, I refer you to the first dot point on page 8 of the Ministerial Portfolio Statement and the reference to water infrastructure. I also refer you to the government's recent decision to support the Gold Coast City Council's proposal to raise the Hinze Dam. Could you please advise of the benefits of raising the Hinze Dam? And are there any alternative proposals?
Mr PALASZCZUK: On 4 July the Premier and I announced that the government would be progressing the raising of the Hinze Dam. As the honourable member would know, the raising of the Hinze Dam has been proposed by the Gold Coast City Council. The raising of the Hinze Dam has also been identified as a water storage option in the south-east Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy stage 2 interim report which the Brisbane Lord Mayor and I launched in January this year.
As well as progressing the raising of the Hinze Dam, the government has announced that it will progress water harvesting from Canungra Creek, Coomera River and other suitable locations. Combined these projects will provide an additional 16,000 megalitres of water each year.
The honourable member's question refers to any alternatives. The state opposition's policy document does not provide any alternatives. The document has no reference to the Hinze Dam despite the fact that it is the Gold Coast's major water source. However, an alternative has emerged. Late last week the National Party's member for Gaven told ABC Radio that he does not support the raising of the Hinze Dam and that he advocates a Coomera River Dam at Canungra. What the member for Gaven is saying, in effect, is that his party does not support more water and greater flood protection for the Gold Coast that a raised Hinze Dam will provide. I am not sure whether this is National Party policy, whether it is coalition policy or whether it is simply the member for Gaven's own policy.
Mr Seeney interjected.
CHAIR: The member for Callide should cease interjecting and the minister should address the chair.
Mr PALASZCZUK: Madam Chair, I will continue. I believe there is a need for clarification because the state director of the National Party, Brad Henderson, issued a media statement on 27 October last year in which he said-
There are many issues-transport,roads, a lack of policing and mental health resources and the raising of Hinze Dam to name a few-that all need urgent State Government attention. So why does the National Party state director say that the raised Hinze Dam is important but the National Party member for Gaven says it is a waste of money? I believe that the member for Callide needs to clarify this issue very quickly within his own party. I would strongly suggest to him that he back the raising of the Hinze Dam.
Mr Seeney: Absolutely.
Mr PALASZCZUK: A raised Hinze Dam and water harvesting is sustainable. The Coomera Dam cannot be built. The member for Gaven knows this. The member for Gaven has proposed a dam that all three levels of government reject. The member for Gaven must know that the federal defence department has already ruled out providing land from its Kokoda Barracks to allow for a dam at the Coomera River at Canungra. The defence department site has undergone $120 million in upgrades in recent years. I have kept within my time limit, Madam Chair.
CHAIR: Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that. The committee will now break for morning tea. We will resume at 10.45 with non-government members' questions.
Proceedings suspended from 10.25 am to 10.44 am. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 2:21 PM
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