JOINT STATEMENT
The Palaszczuk Government is investing millions to keep taps flowing in the Southern Downs with the Premier today announcing a $20 million drought resilience package for the region.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while recent rain had provided much needed relief to the Southern Downs region including good inflows into Leslie, Connolly and Storm King Dams, it hasn’t been enough to solve long-term water security issues for the Southern Downs.
“In late 2019, in response to low supplies in the region’s dams, my Government committed to plan for a new pipeline from Toowoomba to Warwick,” the Premier said.
“This commitment was in addition to $15 million in emergency assistance provided to cart water into Stanthorpe.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
For the first time since July 2017 farmers drawing water from the Upper Condamine catchment will get access to their irrigation allocation.
Until June 30, medium priority irrigators can draw up to 75 per cent of their allocation.
The decision affects up to 80 producers, from Cecil Plains to Warwick.
They include Cecil Plains cotton producer Stuart Armitage who will draw and store his allocation to water a summer cotton crop.
“It is a big plus for us,” he said.
“The price of cotton is good at the moment so we should be able to make a reasonable income out of it.
Wet weather continues to deliver for Upper Condamine irrigators miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The past year’s swelling tourist numbers have been accompanied by a spate of development applications for exciting new accommodation sites, breweries and distilleries, and more.
Check out our wrap of the 10 most exciting developments headed for the Southern Downs:
KILLARNEY RIVERFRONT FARMSTAY
Already one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Southern Downs, Killarney is set to gain an exclusive new tourist park.
The 10-site Booyong Tourist Park will be situated on 100ha of agricultural land near the Condamine River, with riverfront views available at six of the sites.
Developer Paul Stumkat stated in his application the tourist park would make the most of the natural scenery and provide guests with “an easily accessible bush camping experience”.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
A booming Easter weekend has given Warwick businesses a sweet dose of visitors, days after a potential Brisbane lockdown left a sour taste in their mouths.
Lake Leslie Tourist Park owners Adam and Caroline Bennett were said they were blown away by the numbers of campers for the weekend.
âEaster was the best event ever, the biggest weâve had in the eight years since weâve been there,â Mr Bennett said.
âIt was just absolutely phenomenal.â
Mr Bennett said Leslie Damâs recent rise after flooding across the state had also boosted numbers.
âThere were certainly a few that have never been here before but are definitely coming back,â he said.