In March 2017, 87.4% of Queensland was drought declared. One Nation committed in January 2017 to a ‘hybrid’ Bradfield Scheme approach to water security to drought-proof the State. This would be a visionary and nation-building approach to water security. During the last federal election, the Commonwealth committed $2 billion to water storage infrastructure to drought-proof the nation. The CSIRO was commissioned to assess the storage potential for central and northern Australia.
Currently, there are 68 large dams and barrages (greater than 10,000 megalitres) and 261 smaller surface water storages across Queensland. These are used to supply drinking water, irrigation, industry and business. There have been more than enough feasibility studies—what we need is action.
One Nation will revisit proposed water security schemes. This could include new dam infrastructure, building on existing infrastructure by raising dam walls, enabling landowners to secure their own future through on-farm storage or by better use of surface and ground water resources.
