Queensland Unveils Major Water Security Funding

The Queensland government is set to significantly enhance its water security with a substantial $545 million investment detailed in its upcoming budget. This funding aims to restore two key south-east Queensland dams to their full operational capacity, a move Treasurer David Janetzki described as effectively creating a new, larger reservoir.

Under the new budget, North Pine Dam and Lake Macdonald Dam are slated to be brought back to their complete service levels. Treasurer Janetzki highlighted the potential impact of this initiative, stating, “If we run those dams to their capacity, we’ll create, effectively, a new dam in Queensland that will be two-and-a-half times the size of the Bjelke-Petersen Dam.” He emphasized the dual benefit for both households and the agricultural sector, adding, “There is an opportunity for us to invest in our existing infrastructure to build that water security, obviously for households but also for agriculture.”

Key Dam Upgrades and Future Planning

The Bjelke-Petersen Dam, located in the South Burnett region, has a capacity of 134,000 megalitres. Meanwhile, North Pine Dam, a vital source of drinking water for the northern Brisbane and Moreton Bay areas, had its capacity reduced to 54 percent last year during upgrade work. Similarly, Lake Macdonald Dam, serving Noosa, saw its capacity drop to 42 percent last year and is currently undergoing improvements.

Beyond immediate upgrades, the budget allocates $10 million for the next financial year to enable Seqwater to continue exploring potential new dam sites. While a definitive timeline for this site scouting remains unconfirmed, Treasurer Janetzki stressed the importance of community involvement, stating that consultation with affected communities would be “imperative” to ensure they “come along for the journey.”

Paradise Dam Rebuild and Fiscal Outlook

The 2026-27 budget will also include $59.8 million for the reconstruction of Paradise Dam, a commitment previously made during an LNP election campaign, with the total project cost estimated at $4.4 billion. When questioned about the commencement date for the 300,000-megalitre Bundaberg dam, Treasurer Janetzki deferred to Water Minister Ann Leahy.

In promoting the government’s second budget, Treasurer Janetzki characterized it as focused on “strengthening” the foundations established in the previous year. He did not commit to a timeframe for returning the budget to surplus within the next four years, instead prioritizing “budget improvements.” Current projections indicate the state’s total debt could reach $204.89 billion by 2028-29, with an expected operating deficit of $1.04 billion in the same year, according to mid-year budget updates released in January.

Regarding revenue, Treasurer Janetzki confirmed that no changes are planned for the state’s coal royalties regime. However, it is understood that the budget will reflect adjustments in other revenue streams. He indicated careful monitoring of stamp duty revenue and responses from other states following recent federal budget announcements impacting property and investments.

“There’s been a lot of uncertainty and instability around the globe, and that has made the challenges significant,” Janetzki commented. “Uncertainty in Canberra, volatility in the Middle East, that’s made our challenge greater, but we have worked through it very carefully.”

Public Service and Government Advertising

The Treasurer stood firm on his commitment to avoid public service cuts, labeling opposition claims of job losses as a “scare campaign.” This comes amid reports within the public service suggesting that temporary contracts, which have been repeatedly renewed, are not being extended.

Addressing the government’s advertising expenditure, which has been visible across various platforms promoting initiatives like 50-cent public transport fares and hospital staffing, Treasurer Janetzki defended the spending. He asserted that the government is committed to spending “less money on advertising than the Labor Party.” Data from Meta’s advertising library indicates the Queensland government allocated $622,251 for advertising across Facebook and Instagram between March 21 and June 18.

Janetzki described the advertising as “an entirely normal part of government”, particularly for measures like making 50-cent fares permanent, which he stated was left unfunded by the previous administration. He characterized the prominent billboards not as political advertising, but as “communication of government policies.” When pressed on the total advertising spend, he reiterated, “Certainly no more than the former Labor government did.”

In response, Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman urged the government to curb its advertising spending, stating, “I don’t know how much money they have spent this financial year, but you better believe we will be holding them to account on that because it has exploded.”