PM Transcripts

JAUSTRAI
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 19 DECEMER 1977
BUNDABERG IRRIGATION PROJECT GRANT TO QUEENSLAND
The Prime Minister announced today that the Commonwealth Government
is to make an additional grant of $ 1.5 million available this
financial year to the Queensland Government towards the Bundaberg
Irrigation Project. The grant is to enable completion of the
Gin Gin Channel from the Monduran Dam to the Burnett River near
Maryborough. The Prime Minister had announced the Government's intention to
provide this grant prior to last Saturday's election.
The Prime Minister said that the offer would be in the form of a
further non-repayable grant to Queensland on the basis of a dollar
for dollar matching contribution by the State Government.
Mr Fraser said that legislation would be introduced as soon as possible
into the new Parliament to give effect to the Government's decision.
He added that the Commonwealth has decided to provide this further
assistance to Queensland because of the extremely dry conditions
in the region and the need for the earliest possible availability
of Monduran-Dam water for the irrigation of sugar cane crops.
Since 1970, the Commonwealth Government has provided $ 17.2 million
towards the Bundaberg Irrigation Project including the
Monduran Dam, the main pumping station and initial work on the
Gin Gin Channel.