The $3 billion Urannah Dam project is inching closer to fruition thanks to a bilateral agreement between the state and federal government this week.
Stakeholders are excited to see the final designs set with the completion of the Environmental Impact Study underway and early stage works due to commence within the next two years.
Forecast to be the biggest economic development in our region in the next decade, the dam will hold 1.5 megalitres of water, create an irrigated agricultural area of up to 25,000 hectares and feature an extensive pipeline which will connect to Moranbah.
The broader project will encompass the Bowen Renewable Energy Hub which is expected to relieve energy consumption throughout the Whitsundays.
The Bowen Collinsville Enterprise non-profit organisation have been the driving force behind the project for the past six years, working with limited resources and lobbying to receive funding where possible.
LNP Candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox has been supporting project for many years and welcomes this weeks’ announcement.
“I have been backing the plan to build the Urannah Dam for a number of years and I want to pay tribute to the vision and determination of the team at Bowen Collinsville Enterprise group for setting us on a path to transform our region,” he said.
“The construction of Urannah Dam will open up hectares of agricultural land for high value produce like avocadoes, mangoes and macadamias to further grow our reputation as a prime horticultural producer.
“It will also create about 1800 jobs which will be a massive shot in the arm for small communities across our region like Bowen and Collinsville.
“Urannah will be able to provide a reliable water supply to our mining towns and support close to 100 other projects spreading benefits even further.
Chairman of the Bowen Collinsville Enterprise group, Paul McLaughlin, says that this project stands to transform Collinsville in the same way as the Fairbairn Dam helped grow the town of Emerald many years ago.
“This is the biggest economic development this region will see in a decade,” he said.
“It will be fantastic for everyone involved.”
An artist’s impression of the Urannah Dam
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