The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government will provide an additional $1.5 million to assess the benefits and viability of the Coalstoun Lakes Irrigation Pipeline project as part of the North and South Burnett Feasibility Study.
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd said this funding commitment builds on the $2 million already being invested in this study.
"Work on the study is already under way and will identify and investigate options for new infrastructure to increase water supply and security in Queensland's Burnett region," Mr O'Dowd.
"This additional $1.5 million from the National Water Infrastructure and Development Fund will help us get a better understanding of how an expanded Coalstoun Lakes Pipeline could support cane, peanut, avocado and other irrigation crops in the region.
"It is important we get this crucial ground work completed because Queensland Labor cannot be trusted to deliver.
"After five years in Government, Annastacia Palaszczuk still hasn't developed a water strategy. What hope does that give the people of Queensland in this drought?
"Queensland Labor is anti-dams, anti-regions and anti-jobs."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Liberal and Nationals Government has a strong track record when it comes to water infrastructure.
"We are taking action and initiative to secure Australia's water future committing more than $3.5 billion through the $1.5 billion National Water Infrastructure Development Fund and the $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility to build dams, weirs and pipelines," Mr McCormack said.
"The $100 million National Water Grid Authority is a key component of the Government's future water security measures - to take politics out of the debate and to insert the science, to break through talk and to begin serious water security for a growing Australia in the 21st Century.
"The Authority will consider propositions such as elements of the Bradfield Scheme - which the Queensland LNP is also committed to - and provide a long term strategy to harvest and store water in the wet years for use in the dry years.
"Funding feasibility studies for projects such as the Coalstoun Lakes Irrigation Pipeline is about water security for all Australians."
The feasibility results will be provided to Government by July next year. Ends
