Monday, 4 June 2007
Council votes to proceed with the raising of Hinze Dam

Gold Council City Council has voted to proceed with the raising of Hinze Dam.

It did this today following receipt of a written assurance from the Deputy Premier confirming that costs associated with the project could be fully recovered by Council from the Government.

“This is a good outcome for the people of the Gold Coast and South East Queensland,” said Mayor Ron Clarke.

Last week Council had refused to endorse a Coordination Committee recommendation to approve spending of up to $382 million on the works delivery phase of Hinze Dam Stage 3, following the State Government announcement of a takeover plan for water infrastructure throughout South east Queensland.

“In the interests of the ratepayers of the Gold Coast we needed a Government assurance that our proposed spending on the dam would be reimbursed,” said Mayor Clarke.

“We are pleased that that assurance has been forthcoming and we are looking forward to getting on with the project as fast as we can.”

He said that because of the good work carried out to date by the Hinze Dam Alliance, the project was now running four months ahead of schedule.

“We now expect an on site start-up by October, rather than January next year”, he said.