Press Conference at Rookwood Weir with Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek

SUBJECTS: Rookwood Weir, water supply to Mount Morgan, Queensland water security

BARRY O'ROURKE: Good morning, everyone, and it's absolutely wonderful to see Rookwood Weir. It is now complete. I'd like to welcome our guests here today and hand over to Tanya Plibersek.

TANYA PLIBERSEK, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER: Thanks so much, Barry. It's such a pleasure to be here today and I really want to thank Uncle Rob for his welcome to country. It's wonderful to be greeted by you and to hear a little bit about the history of this place from the 1940s, but also the fact that, you know, there's been discoveries here that show your people have been here for many thousands of years and working with Sunwater to protect and preserve that history is really important. Thanks, Uncle Rob.

It's a great pleasure to be here with Cameron Dick, the Queensland Treasurer; Glenn Butcher, the Water Minister for Queensland. I have to say Glenn and I work so well together on water infrastructure. It's always a pleasure to be with him on these water infrastructure projects. Local MP, of course, Barry O'Rourke; Tony Williams, the mayor of Rockhampton; and Glenn Stockton from Sunwater who has been our MC today.

It's a really exciting day for Rookwood Weir. This is the biggest weir completed since the Second World War. We're talking about 34 - close to 34,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools that will be produced from this weir for agricultural, industrial, and other uses when the weir is fully operational. That means that land that has previously been used for grazing can be used for higher intensity purposes like macadamia farming, creating jobs and really putting that water to good use, creating wealth for Central Queensland.

This is a project that I'm really proud to be part of today, but, of course, it's not the only investment that the Commonwealth Government is partnering with the State, the great State of Queensland on. We're investing in water right across Queensland with the Queensland Government because we know how important water is for Queensland.

Glenn Butcher and I have worked together on $11.5 million investment to do further water planning and today I'm announcing $4.5 million for a Central Queensland water resource plan because we know that just as Rookwood Weir is important for the future, Queensland's becoming hotter and drier, like most of Australia. We're going to need further investment in great projects like this in the future.

One that we're working on right now is the supply to - water supply to Mount Morgan. I'm very proud to be working with the council and with the State Government to deliver a permanent solution for water supply for Mount Morgan and the Commonwealth contribution to that is now up to $30 million. I'm really excited that we can provide that water to the people of Mount Morgan.

The final thing I want to say about Rookwood Weir, this is great for the local economy. It means jobs and investment, but the work that's been done here to protect nature is also really important. We've got a unique turtle passage here, we've got a fish passage that will help 31 species of native fish survive and thrive. And of course, I know that the Darumbal people have been working on land restoration projects as well.

It just shows that we can invest in our economy, we can build these big water infrastructure projects and we can protect nature at the same time. That's what nature positive investment looks like. Thanks.

CAMERON DICK: It's great to be in Central Queensland today with Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek, my parliamentary colleagues, Barry O'Rourke and the Water Minister, Glenn Butcher, and all of the other distinguished guests here today. Can I thank Uncle Rob, too, for his welcome to country. Can I acknowledge the Darumbal people and their great contribution to the development of this piece of infrastructure, Mal, and everybody else. This is Aboriginal land, and we acknowledge the traditional owners of that land who are here with us today.

Can I say our government gets on with building the infrastructure that Queensland needs, and this is a perfect example of that. This is a major piece of infrastructure, as the Minister has said. The largest weir built in our country since the Second World War, the largest piece of water infrastructure built in our country since 2011. 86,000 megalitres of water, 34,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools that will be held in this weir for about 60 kilometres upstream, about the distance we drove from Rockhampton here today.

But the size of this weir is dwarfed by the economic impact it will have on Central Queensland. This weir will help diversify the economy of Central Queensland. It will create good, long-term jobs for the people of Central Queensland, and it will provide strength to the economy of Central Queensland. Over the next 20 years, this weir will provide about $3.5 billion in additional value to agriculture in this part of Queensland.

This is generational infrastructure for our State and we're proud to have worked with the Australian Government, who I acknowledge today their significant contribution to this infrastructure. It's a significant investment in this region. But it's an investment for today and it's an investment for the future, and that's what water delivers to the people of Central Queensland and our State.

So it's a great day. I want to thank everyone who has been involved, all the alliance partners who work with Sunwater to deliver this piece of infrastructure. It's a great project for Central Queensland and a great project for our State.

GLENN BUTCHER: I'd like to also thank Uncle Bob for his welcome to country here today. It's great to be back at Rookwood Weir. The Premier said to me almost to the day three years ago when she made me the Water Minister here in Queensland, that she said, "Glenn, I want to make sure that you deliver Rookwood Weir." And it's great to be here today delivering that project that this Government said we would deliver and we have delivered.

We are continuing on with major water infrastructure programs here in Queensland and Rookwood Weir, for us, is a special part of that plan of moving forward in Queensland with water security. Not only that, but on the back of that the Central Queensland region, the Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline. Also the support for the Rockhampton Council to get that water pipeline up to Mount Morgan.

These are big investments by not only this Government, but the Federal Government with support from Tanya Plibersek who is with us here today and the mayor, Tony Williams, knowing that water is critical for central Queensland. When we had the Bradfield Report handed down, it said we should be utilising water, where it falls and where it runs and that is exactly what these projects are delivering for central Queensland.

This is a Central Queensland project delivered Central Queenslanders. At the peak, over 360 local workers working on a local project to deliver this fantastic weir in Central Queensland. We know the benefits that are going to come from this. We know the supply chains that are going to come from having macadamia farms along the whole stretch of the Fitzroy River. We know the benefits of the agriculture industry. We also know the benefits of having feedlots to support the cattle industry in the Rockhampton region of Central Queensland. That is why this Government listens to the people that have these things come forward to us and that is why we deliver on this project for Central Queensland.

This is a great day for the region, it's a great day and a great three years where we've had local employment opportunities here in Central Queensland where people live. So as the Water Minister in Queensland, I'm more than ecstatic being here today to open this fantastic piece of water infrastructure in Central Queensland.

BARRY O’ROURKE: Well, good morning. There were those in Queensland and around Rockhampton that did not think Rookwood Weir would happen. It's done. It's built. There was those that were saying it was going to be nothing more than a bathtub. It's 34,000 Olympic swimming pools. It's a very big bathtub for those that were knocking this project.

The difference that this will make for the Central Queensland community is phenomenal. It's going to open up all the agriculture land, macadamias, things like that, but we've also got the big feedlot on the books as well. It's going to provide employment back into Rocky. It's an absolute game changer for us and I'm so proud of the Palaszczuk Labor Government and the Federal Labor Government delivering on such a great project for Central Queensland.

TONY WILLIAMS: Firstly, I would like to welcome and Bob thank you for welcoming us here on country today and acknowledge Tanya, our Federal Minister for Water, Treasurer Cameron Dick, Water Minister Glenn Butcher, and my best friend and good friend Barry O'Rourke, Sunwater, Glenn Stockton and Lisa are happy, I noticed, and the workers that built this project. Thank you very much for inviting me along here today for this transformational project that's really going to change the face of the Rockhampton region.

We've heard about the real funds management with planting the macadamia nut trees on this section of the river. Also a feedlot from Mort & Co that's going to produce 36,000 head on-site at one time but over 100,000 head annually, helping us to keep that beef capital tag of Australia. That's very important. That means jobs and what that means is jobs for our future. That's the local economy is going to be boosted by this project and what it means to have water on the Fitzroy as part of the Fitzroy feed bowl.

We see this project as the starting of many projects to come and more investment into this location. Central Queensland has such a bright future and a great opportunity to do that.

But even on the other side of that, I would like to thank the Albanese and Palaszczuk Government along with the council helping with the permanent water supply for the good people at Mount Morgan. That's been a transformational project that's going to change the outlook for a community there that were relying and they're still on level 6 water restrictions. That's a difficult position for a community to be in, especially like to thank Glenn and Tanya and Treasurer Cameron about helping council with that project to get it over the line because it had some challenges, but one that's going to make Mount Morgan a bright future and one we can all be very proud of. 

On that note, I can keep talking all day, but this is a great day for our region and one that's going to really transform the outlook for many jobs and our future and it’s a great day. Thank you.  

STOCKTON: Good morning. Thanks very much for the welcome to country. I acknowledge the leadership that your people have played in developing this project as we worked our way through. The considerations of how to deliver critical, vital infrastructure, sustainably and safely to provide water security for the long term for people of Central Queensland. To the governments at different levels, thank you again for your support in working this project through and enabling this project to be delivered.

Our focus has been to deliver this project safely, to deliver a quality asset that people can invest in the future with confidence and understanding that the water security will provide for them for the long term and Rookwood Weir will do that. Today marks the completion of the structural works associated with the weir. Once we work our way through then a feel of the weir into storage, we will commission the weir and make water available for our customers going forward.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the project leadership staff that have worked tirelessly here on site through some really trying and challenging conditions including COVID, including six inundation events that have flooded out the works. But each time with a focus on safety of our people, safety of the environment, safety of the works and the project, and then moving forward to deliver a great asset.

My thanks also to the work force. The countless hundreds of people who have dedicated significant amounts of time and effort to delivering this fantastic outcome. Their approach, their mind set, their dedication, is what we see in front of us today. A fantastic outcome and asset. Majority of those people coming from Central Queensland, so taking personal interest in the delivery and what is then provided for the region going forward.

Ladies and gents, today is a really important day. Delivering bulk water infrastructure like this doesn't come easy. It does take time, it takes substantial investment. It takes courage to make decisions and I would like to thank all those involved in bringing this to life. Thank you very much.

JOURNALIST: So, Treasurer, there was a lot of talk about, you know, how big this project is and how important it is. It shows key infrastructure projects are pretty important. How do you feel then, you know, about the federal cuts to all the infrastructure projects happening? Are we not going to see another Rookwood Weir?

DICK: This is a perfect example of the Federal Government and the State Government working closely together and I want to particularly acknowledge Minister Plibersek for her commitment to water infrastructure in Queensland. You've just heard today we - the commitment the Federal Government made to this project, the commitment they made to that really important water pipeline to Mount Morgan which provides sustainability for water there into the future and, of course, this additional investment today from the Minister to do further planning work for water in Central Queensland.

So our argument is with the Federal Infrastructure Minister. So we will continue to seek for Queensland what we see is our fair share. But when we work together, we deliver great projects like this. There's a lot that's happening in Queensland. A lot of that is being funded by the Federal Government, which I acknowledge. But we're the big growth State so we're looking for more investment in our State in the future.

JOURNALIST: Do you know what day the Deputy Premier is heading to Canberra to speak with the Federal Infrastructure Minister?

DICK: No, not precisely but it's in the next couple of weeks.

JOURNALIST: And have you raised concerns about infrastructure with Minister while she's here or others in Canberra?

DICK: We've been raising that consistently. I don't think anyone in Canberra has any doubt about Queensland's position on infrastructure, but we will continue to work positively on those projects that deliver for Central Queensland. Things like the Mount Morgan water pipeline, these sorts of projects, and then additional projects that are being rolled out across Queensland. We've got a very big investment into water infrastructure. We know how important water is. Water's the lifeblood of the economy, of communities, and the environment and so working across all of those various areas to deliver for our people is very important. Anything else?

JOURNALIST: So obviously just similar questions, seeing lot of projects slashed because of cost blowouts. This project had a massive cost blowout. What, you know, are we going to see less projects like this? What are your concerns? Have you talked to the State while they're here?

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Well, when it comes to water projects, Glenn Butcher and I are working really well together. We've got about $750 million in the pipeline for investment in Queensland water infrastructure projects just from the Commonwealth Government's side. We've got about $600 million that will go into Paradise Dam near Bundaberg, $107.5 million that will go into the Cairns water supply. As I mentioned, we're putting $30 million into Mount Morgan. That's just an example of the work that's currently funded.

We're also, as I mentioned, doing $11.5 million of planning work with the Queensland Government to make sure that when we spend a dollar on water infrastructure, we get maximum value for money, for every taxpayer's dollar we spend.

What we saw with the previous Federal Government on infrastructure projects is infrastructure project by press release. They were great at announcing projects, they just weren't any good at funding them. The Commonwealth Government's going to spend $120 billion on infrastructure. I know every State and Territory is keen to get the maximum share of that money. I think it was Paul Keating that said never stand between a State treasurer and a bucket of money. I completely understand that, and to the Queensland Government, you know, trying to do its bit and get its share for the people of Queensland. But we're a Federal Government, we have to manage for the whole of the country.

We know we had a $33 billion cost blowout because of promises made but not kept by the previous Federal Government. We've got to deal with the cards that we've been dealt and we also know that these massive cost blowouts are contributing to the inflation problem that we've got across Australia. We've got a responsibility to manage both the cost blowouts and the inflation problem that is, you know, the greatest challenge that our economy's facing at the moment. We've got a great relationship with the Queensland Government, particularly in water investment, and they will keep advocating for the people of Queensland and we will keep managing the national economy in the interests of the nation.

JOURNALIST: There's some concern from local farmers that water will be directed into Gladstone. What's your response to this and how much will be directed to Gladstone?

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: I will let the Sunwater people talk about the specifics of the project. What I would say is we are determined with the $750 million that we've already committed and the further planning work that we're doing, to address some of those future water needs for Queensland. We know that the next drought - we're already experiencing it in parts of Queensland. We know that Australia is getting hotter and drier with climate change. Water is going to become - it's always been important, it's going to become even more important in the future and we want to work in the same great partnership we've had with the Queensland Government on water infrastructure to date. We're going to keep working on that and, of course, we've been so lucky to work with Rockhampton Council as well, we'll keep working with local government as well. Thanks.

BUTCHER: I can help answer that one. So when we built this weir, it was 50% going to agriculture, 50% of the water allocations going to either local governments or to industry in Queensland, in Central Queensland. What we're seeing is the Gladstone to Fitzroy - Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline is supported by water allocation out of the Fitzroy River. This is what I talked about earlier about making sure that we utilise the water that's available with allocations for industry in the Gladstone region.

We have expectations in Gladstone of a huge hydrogen industry coming to Gladstone and with hydrogen you need water for that support. Just be mindful, this is the second largest catchment in Australia which captures water from as far south as Toowoomba region, coming into this area.

So to say that this is a Rockhampton river is not really correct. This is a Central Queensland area that is supported by a fantastic water source in the Fitzroy River, that is helping deliver projects like the hydrogen industry and industries in the Gladstone region for the future of Central Queensland. This means jobs on the ground in Gladstone, this means jobs for people in Rockhampton in the Gladstone region, it means construction jobs on the Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline construction. As we've seen here, Central Queenslanders want to be part of Central Queensland work and that's exactly what we saw as part of this project.

JOURNALIST: Just this has been a massive project, it's not been without controversy. You know, there was a bit of a cost blowout, I think Sunwater then had to pick up that extra bill. What can you tell us about that? 

STOCKTON: The project has had its challenges and what I'm really proud of, though, is the team stuck to the project and delivered a fantastic asset. The project is more than the weir. The program work has included three bridges, one of which has been delivered in Riversmith, Foleyvale about to hit completion and Hanrahan's Crossing, also being delivered. It also incorporates the major upgrade of the intersection works at Gogango and updated Thirsty Creek Road. So safer access for the people of Central Queensland to where they work and live. 

It's also providing for environmental outcomes associated with a new fish passage that the Fitzroy Barrage in conjunction with the Rockhampton Regional Council. In addition to the substantial environmental investments, we've made here at the weir structure itself. A substantial program of work, delivered in exceptional circumstances given the nature of inundations we faced here on-site, six inundations over the course of the period of construction. 

Two and a half years ago we commenced in river works. To see the nature of this structure delivered today with six inundations taken into account is a fantastic result and it will be testament to the skills of the people who were involved in delivering this asset. The cost of work has increased, but it has been responsibly managed and I'm proud of the outcome.

JOURNALIST: Just on those six inundations which contributed to the delay and the blowout, given where you're building were you kind of expecting some inundation? 

STOCKTON: We were and we planned for inundations. To be fair the nature of the weather conditions we faced over the last three years were quite unique to the times we're in and six inundations was over and above any allowance we would have had for a structure of this type.

JOURNALIST: Just confirming, the allocations, it's still 50% agriculture, 50% local water security industry? 

STOCKTON: The allocations haven't changed. So 50% agriculture. We've taken two tranches of water sales to market both of which have been successful. There will be a third tranche to take up the main portion.  

JOURNALIST: When's that third tender allocation going out? 

STOCKTON: I will expect that to occur through the course of next year.

JOURNALIST: And it's about 36,000 megalitres so far. Do you know what the next round will offer? 

STOCKTON: I think the residual is approximately about 6,000 megalitres [indistinct].

JOURNALIST: And then just some other kind of controversies along the way. I think there was some issues with some landholders not being compensated. Has that resolved and also it was at one stage looking to be downsized to 50,000 megalitres instead of 75. Has that all been resolved? 

STOCKTON: We resolved those issues, to my understanding. The project we actually increased the size of the weir. Initially we had the smaller structure envisaged through, again, the work of our alliance partners were able to design and deliver a larger structure without any detriment to the environment or to the performance of the river. So really pleased with that outcome. 

I would like to thank our stakeholders, in particular our adjacent landholders for their ongoing support. We've been here for a while and we have been a neighbour of theirs through the course of that. I'd also like to thank the people of Gogango in particular, as we've moved substantial materials through their township and we have, I think, worked together to solve the challenges or the concerns that individuals may have raised.

JOURNALIST: And when is it going to fill up?

STOCKTON: As soon as we get rain. And Uncle Rob mentioned this. This is a really large catchment. Five rivers flow into the Fitzroy and I am really pleased that this catchment has the capacity to support significant investment in the future. The weather events of the last three years have demonstrated how quickly this river will flow and flood and we're looking forward to testing this weir.

JOURNALIST: Once it fills up, that 36,000 megalitres will they be able to access that, people with allocations, straight away? 

STOCKTON: So the process from here, we have completed practical construction of the weir. Once we have water behind the weir, we will undergo what we call a wet conditioning process, which is us running the systems and the processes that are contained within the weir structure to make sure they all function as planned and designed. From there, we need to finalise our environmental approvals, which are well underway. Landowners that have taken up allocation through the tender process have also got some documentation to provide on sustainable land management practices for the utilisation of that water and once we have those in place then water will be available. I'm expecting water to be available March, April next year.