Ibis Dam ownership transferred to council

[Member]

Media Statements
Minister for Energy and Water Supply
 The Honourable Mark McArdle

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Ibis Dam ownership transferred to council

The State Government has handed over ownership of Ibis Dam along with a $700,000 grant to Tablelands Regional Council to cover dam operating and maintenance expenses for the next five years.

The Ibis Dam, located at Irvinebank in north Queensland, has been completely refurbished to meet dam safety requirements and provide a source of non-potable water.

Minister for Water Supply Mark McArdle met Tablelands Regional Council Mayor, Rosa Lee Long today, to hand over an ownership certificate commemorating the council’s new ownership of the dam.

“The Newman Government has fulfilled an agreement made with Tablelands Regional Council in February last year to hand over ownership of Ibis Dam to the council by 1 July 2013,” Mr McArdle said.

“Transferring ownership of a state asset to local government is consistent with the Newman Government’s desire to empower local communities to better serve their own interests.

“Tablelands Regional Council will be able to make future decisions on the use, operation and maintenance of the dam on close consultation with the local community.

“The State looks forward to the council and Irvinebank community building on their new ownership by generating local employment and opportunities in tourism and agriculture.”

Mr McArdle said the Department of Energy and Water Supply had recently completed a safety upgrade of Ibis Dam and replaced the water pipeline from the dam to Irvinebank’s two header tanks.

“The State Government has been carting water to Irvinebank residents since the old pipeline was decommissioned in mid-2012,” he said.

“The new pipeline was commissioned in January this year and was in operation until April when the dam level was dropped to enable repairs to address seepage issues.

“The Irvinebank community responded positively to the water restrictions imposed as a result of the disconnection of the old pipeline and they benefitted from the employment opportunities during the upgrade.

“We expect the dam to refill this coming wet season to again supply water to Irvinebank and enable water restrictions to be lifted.”

Mr McArdle commended the community of Irvinebank and the Council for their efforts over the past 20 years which have led to their vision and aspirations for the dam being realised today.

“The Irvinebank community was strongly in favour of gaining local ownership of the dam and this transfer is a positive result for all parties.”


Could we perhaps see another barramundi / sooty grunter fishery to be developed in NQ? Ed.