Newsroom

July 4, 2024

North West Queensland’s water assets should be in local hands, not controlled by SunWater in Brisbane, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and member for Traeger, Robbie Katter said.

“It is great to see Mount Isa City Council Mayor, Peta MacRae, and Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor Greg Campbell, joining forces to put pressure on the Queensland Government to stop profiteering from the region’s water resources, and returning control of water infrastructure to the councils,” Mr Katter said.

“If these two councils take ownership of the local water assets, it will not only result in greater regional water security but will save residents millions of dollars in water rates each year.

“For far too long have the Mount Isa and Cloncurry councils and communities been shamelessly exploited by the greedy bureaucrats in the south with astronomical water prices and arbitrary dividends.

“The KAP and I have been pushing for the Queensland Government to relinquish control over water assets to the Mount Isa City and Cloncurry Shire Councils and we will keep backing the councils in their efforts.

“It is ironic that we have two large, state-owned dams in our back yard, Lake Julius, and Lake Moondarra, so we have bountiful water, yet we don’t use the water as it is too expensive.

“Again, North Queensland’s resources are being flogged to pay for Brisbane’s luxuries.

“In the North West, access to water is directly linked to community health outcomes, yet chronically high water charges from the state government are obstructing families from ensuring their children’s health. The development of children in this region hinges on affordable access to water, given the presence of lead. Water is needed for dust suppression and maintaining green yards to prevent lead dust exposure.

“By cutting out the middleman, it is not just about saving money – it's about taking back what is ours and ensuring every community member in North West Queensland has affordable access to water, a basic human right,” Mr Katter said.