Government questioned over cost blowout for proposed weirs

Proposed regional Queensland weirs have blown out by triple the cost, according to the opposition.The LNP state government made an election commitment to build two new weirs in the North Burnett and the South Burnett regions.The Cooranga Weir, which would hold 2,500 megalitres, was also threatening to destroy habitats of native species such as the lungfish and koalas.Shadow Water Minister Nikki Boyd questioned Sunwater's interim chief executive David Hourigan over the cost of the project during budget estimates on Friday."Is it correct that $120 million was originally budgeted towards the Barlil Weir and Cooranga election commitments?" Ms Boyd asked."Can you confirm that Sunwater's current project cost estimate put Cooranga Weir at $259 million and Barlil Weir at $113 million?"cooranga weirMr Hourigan said there were no estimates currently for either weirs at that level of detail."We are a couple of weeks away from our project assessment reports, so we expect they'll be finished in August," he said.Ms Boyd tabled leaked advice during the hearing that she said showed those figures.Nikki Boyd questioned Sunwater's interim chief executive over the cost of the project during budget estimates. (Supplied: Facebook)Mr Hourigan said he wasn't sure where those numbers came from."I've only been in the position for just under two months. They may have been earlier estimates," he said.Ms Boyd said she could "verify for the committee that this is a genuine document leaked to the opposition".The proposed location of Cooranga Weir (Supplied: Sunwater)When asked whether the project would progress if costs became higher than anticipated, Mr Hourigan said that was a matter for the state government."The board will review the project assessment reports when we have them next August," he said."They'll have their commentary, we'll do some more work, and we'll send it to the Queensland government who no doubt will also have a look at it and have their questions and make a decision on whether they wish to progress."Earlier in the estimates hearing, Water Minister Ann Leahy said works towards the Barlil and Cooranga Weirs had significantly progressed with a design contract for the weir in the North Burnett region.The latest state budget had allocated $20.7 million to progress planning for the Cooranga Weir and the Barlil Weir.Impact to threatened speciesThe proposed site is home to threatened species such as the Australian lungfish.The aquatic species, restricted to south-east Queensland, is believed to be the closest living fish relative to humans.Lungfish in the Brisbane River. (Supplied: Colin Burke)A report by Sunwater stated a total of 25 lungfish had been sighted, with 12 individuals captured near the upstream of the proposed location."Captured lungfish ranged in size from 600mm to 1200mm, with the smallest individual likely to be under 10-years-old," the water utility company said in a formal environmental assessment referral.The report said proposed action, including the construction of the dam, had the potential to alter the availability and suitability of habitat used by lungfish, including habitat associated with spawning and juvenile life stages.An environmental impact report by Onterris found the project would result in the permanent loss or modification of around 9.81 hectares of the fish's habitat.Site investigations were untaken to identify the presence of any protected species or habitats in 2025. (Supplied: Sunwater)The consulting firm's report also noted the weir would impact the habitats of koalas, greater glider, yellow-bellied glider, grey-headed flying-fox and the white-throated snapping turtle.The vegetation clearing and operation of machinery would create a risk of "injury or mortality" of koalas during construction, Onterris' report stated.Sunwater's report also noted the proposed action "may have a significant impact on habitat critical to the survival" of koalas.But the report said koalas were not recorded during previous surveys undertaken in the study area during the post-wet 2025 surveys and post-dry 2025 surveys.Earlier this month, Sunwater referred the project to the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to start the environmental approval process and determine whether it can proceed.Public comment on the project closed on July 16.