Queensland Grant (Dawson River Weirs) Act 1973

Queensland Grant (Dawson River Weirs) Act 1973

This law authorises the Commonwealth (Australian federal) government to give money to Queensland to help build two weirs (small dams that hold back river water) on the Dawson River near the town of Baralaba in central Queensland.

What does it actually do?

• Provides funding up to $550,000 to reimburse Queensland for money it spends on the construction project. This means Queensland pays the bills first, then claims the money back from the Commonwealth.
• The money covers a broad range of related costs, including:
  • Building the two weirs themselves (designed to store approximately 11 million cubic metres of water)
  • Outlet works (the structures that control water release)
  • Access roads to the building sites
  • Relocating existing roads or services disrupted by construction
  • Clearing trees from the area that will flood
  • Setting up workers' construction camps with power, water, sewerage and communications
  • Acquiring (buying) any land needed for or affected by the works

Who is affected?

• Queensland state government — it receives the money and must meet the conditions attached to it
• Residents and landowners near Baralaba — roads, services, and land in the area may be relocated or acquired