Queensland Grant (Maraboon Dam) Act 1968

Conditions Queensland must meet

Queensland doesn't get a blank cheque — the Commonwealth Minister holds meaningful oversight powers:

• Queensland must demonstrate reasonable progress on irrigation and water-use infrastructure to actually put the stored water to work
• Queensland must provide detailed financial statements certified by its own Auditor-General (an independent government financial officer)
• The Commonwealth Minister must be satisfied the work is built according to its stated purposes
• Any contract worth more than $500,000 requires the Minister's prior approval
• Queensland must answer any information requests about design or construction before claiming payments

Other key mechanics

• The Commonwealth Treasurer can make advance payments before all conditions are formally verified
• Any overpayments or advances that exceed what Queensland legitimately qualifies for must be repaid on demand
• The Minister can adjust the description of works in the Schedule (the list of approved construction activities) if Queensland requests it — providing some flexibility for a large infrastructure project

Why does it matter?

The Maraboon Dam (now known as Fairbairn Dam) became a major piece of water infrastructure for central Queensland, enabling significant irrigation farming in the Emerald district. This Act is a classic example of Commonwealth–State cooperative federalism (where the two levels of government work together on a major project), with the Commonwealth funding and the State building and operating.