It’s been in the pipeline for more than two decades but a dam at Lake Coolah, near Narrandera, could be set to hit the national agenda following massive upheaval in water policy.
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As a result of this week’s leadership change that resulted in Malcolm Turnbull becoming the nation’s new Prime Minister, the Nationals have negotiated to have water policy moved from environment to the agriculture portfolio, which is expected to be retained by Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Joyce, who will oversee how water is managed in the Riverina should he retain his job as Agriculture Minister in the looming cabinet reshuffle, has been following the issue of a dam at Lake Coolah, which could store up to 500,000 megalitres of water, since visiting the site last November.
The $50 million water infrastructure planning fund announced by the government in July has also given hope to the proposal.
The federal government would be mad not to seriously contemplate the Lake Coolah dam proposal, according to Griffith-based irrigator Chint Quarisa.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out it would be good to build more storages,” he said. “I can’t see the logic in not building a dam. I think the cost would be a worthwhile investment.”
Irrigators have been crying out for more water this winter following low water allocations being made available and Mr Quarisa, a vocal critic of water policy, believes a new dam in the region would help alleviate concerns.
Griffith mayor John Dal Broi also wants to see the dam built.
“I would certainly request (the government) at least carry out a proper investigation into proper costings for Lake Coolah,” he said.
“With so much water committed to the environment, our only avenue to increase the economic base of our valleys is to have more water. The only way we can grow is to have more water.”
The proposal, along with another potential dam site near Gundagai, has the backing of member for Riverina Michael McCormack.
“Why would you not seriously look at potential water infrastructure sites in the greatest food bowl in the nation? It just makes good sense,” he said.
Mr McCormack, who spoke with Griffith’s Build More Dams working group on Wednesday, said water’s move into the agriculture portfolio presented a massive opportunity for the dam proposal.
