Damn - there are plenty of options ...

From the Courier Mail:

27 April 2006

Disposal driven by drought

DROUGHT. That's the key reason Queensland's energy assets are being sold off to the private sector for more than $1 billion.

It's all about tackling the ravages of climate change and ensuring Queensland's economy has a future.

But for a Government faced with fighting an election as southeast Queensland residents endure some of the toughest water restrictions in decades, it sure has a muddled policy platform.

A year ago today Premier Peter Beattie and former treasurer Terry Mackenroth told Queenslanders the Government would build the Wyaralong Dam, near Boonah, by 2015. They apologised to local residents whose property would have to be resumed, but defended the decision as essential.

Yesterday that story had all changed when the Government had a few more dollars in its pocket courtesy of the electricity asset sell-off.

New dam options had suddenly materialised and could be built by 2011.

The Government will investigate a site at Tilley's Bridge near Rathdowney to replace Wyaralong.

According to the Premier, it could hold more water but would involve relocating the Palen Correctional Centre and the Mt Lindesay Highway.

But there is nothing new in this. The former Water Resources Commission investigated Tilley's Bridge in 1990 but recommended the development of another site – at Mary River, near Gympie, the other new dam the Government announced yesterday.

The Opposition will fight the next election on the Government's failure to plan and deliver for Queensland's water needs.

It will be tough for the Government to convince voters it's on top of the water shortage when it is clear the dam solutions have been known for years.

See - Disposal driven by drought.