So I waited until after April Fool’s Day to give some important updates on Emu Swamp Dam, just in case you thought I wasn’t serious.

On 1 April 2023 the Coordinator-General’s evaluation report lapsed.  This report included the environmental impact study (EIS) required under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act).

In short this means that Emu Swamp Dam is no longer a coordinated project under the SDPWO Act.  It now appears on the “Projects discontinued or on hold” page. 

It is important to note that Emu Swamp Dam has now been included in the Regional Water Assessment (RWA) program.  If it is shortlisted it will proceed to a detailed analysis to see whether a business case for the dam can be made out.  There is no commitment from the State or Federal government at this stage to proceed with any option recommended through the RWA process.  There is also no commitment of any government money to any option which may be recommended under the RWA.

However what we can say at this stage is that if Emu Swamp Dam proceeds in the future then it will either require a fresh application under the SDPWO Act or to progress under a different pathway, such as a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation.

What we can also say is that if Emu Swamp Dam proceeds it will not be done by Granite Belt Water Limited.  GBW Chair Jack Noye publicly announced on 15 December last year that GBW’s role in the project was finalising.  The company has terminated land and investor contracts, and we understand it is being wound up. 

What has only just been revealed by James Lister MP in a 30 March question on notice (question 357) was that documents and approvals for the project were transferred to SunWater on 19 January 2023.  It certainly appears from Mr Lister’s comments that “those behind the dam” are unhappy with the lack of communication from SunWater.  I wonder who the “lawyers representing Emu Swamp Dam” are acting for?  We know their client is not the dam itself, because the dam is not a legal entity.  So who is it that Mr Lister would like to see SunWater compelled to engage with?  Maybe the problem is that there isn’t a person or entity for SunWater to engage with? 

So suddenly now that “those behind the dam” are the ones being kept in the dark, not getting any answers or engagement, they don’t like it.  When it was us, the residents and ratepayers of the Granite Belt, that were not getting any answers or transparency, then that was all fine with the Mayor.  As an example, they (including the Mayor) must all have known since at least the transfer on 19 January that the project was being parked with SunWater.  But we all only find out when James Lister MP asks a question on 30 March.  If Mr Lister could be told this information, there is absolutely no reason that it could not have been disclosed in the interests of open and transparent government.  Why the big secret?