Senate debates

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Motions

Burdekin Falls Dam

4:13 pm

Photo of Ian MacdonaldIan Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

   (a)     notes that:

       (i)     water has been cascading over the Burdekin Falls Dam spillway for a record breaking 313 days since 6 October 2010,

       (ii)     the dam is currently holding 1.87 million mega litres of water which in volume equates to 3.3 Sydney harbours,

       (ii i)    the dam's catchment of 130 000 square kilometres is equal to the size of Victoria,

       (iv)    since October 2010, some 26 960 908 mega litres of water has passed over the spillway of the dam, equivalent to approximately 53 Sydney harbours, and

       (v)     Commonwealth funding for the construction of the dam was first committed in the 1982-83 budget of the then Fraser Government; and

   (b)     congratulates those in the Federal Government and Queensland Government who, since the time of that first funding had the foresight and fortitude to ensure the completion of the mighty Burdekin Falls Dam and the creation of the Burdekin River Irrigation Area.

Question agreed to.

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, can you record that the Greens were a no. I did say no.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes, but the motion was carried. I called for the ayes. Are you seeking leave?

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

It is now noted.