Lakeland Irrigation Scheme
The Lakeland Irrigation Scheme proposes to dam the Palmer River and pump water into the Normanby Catchment for irrigated agriculture. The Scheme is projected to cost $2.5 billion, including a generous contingency, for infrastructure including a dam, tunnel, and irrigation systems. With 97% of funding anticipated from government sources and no water allocated under the current Mitchel Water Plan, the project’s viability is uncertain. Its estimated Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 0.13 to 0.37 indicates poor economic returns, raising concerns similar to those seen in the Murray-Darling Basin’s large-scale irrigation projects. These issues highlight the risks of investing heavily in such schemes without clear financial and environmental benefits.
“Given the challenges identified in the DBC and the outstanding items to be resolved, including the notable issue of there being insufficient unallocated water available at the damsite, it is difficult to identify a way forward for the Project at the current time. In the DBC, the proponent has identified that the project has a high cost and comparatively low economic benefits.”
Concerns Raised by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
- Water Entitlements: There is insufficient unallocated water in the Mitchell Water Plan to meet the project’s needs. The water plan expires in 2027, and while a review could increase available water, there’s no guarantee this will happen or meet the project’s full requirements.
- Geological Conditions: Geological conditions at the dam site are not fully understood, having only been investigated by a relatively small number of boreholes, but issues are possible due to the known location
of the Palmer River Fault and rock conditions that showed high water losses under testing.
- Fish Transfer Arrangements: Plans for fish transfer at the dam are not finalised. Proposed solutions include a fish lift and a flushing lock, but costs cannot be confirmed until design options are developed.
- Transfer Tunnel: Only two boreholes have been drilled along the 12 km tunnel route. This limited data raises risks for cost and timeline overruns, despite allowances in the projected costs.
- Distribution System: Changes have been made to the pipeline materials to address risks caused by the high
pressures that will occur due to the gravity transfer through the tunnel, although further consideration will be needed to determine whether the risks have been fully addressed
- Economic Viability: The project’s high construction costs and low economic benefits pose significant challenges. The benefit-cost ratio is estimated between 0.13 and 0.37, meaning only a small fraction of the capital cost will be recovered. The project does not meet cost recovery expectations and would require substantial grants and subsidies
Statement from Kwaji Warra Traditional Owners, Clan group of Western Yalanji Nation Group
For 65,000 years Kawanji Warra clan lived on our homeland within the GuGu Western Yalanji boundaries.
We stand here today to ask you to stand up with us as we stand up for the right to protect the Palmer River and the Mitchell River catchment.
We are not interested in supporting the Lakeland Irrigation Scheme or the development of a hydropower source built by SMEC, the snowy mountain electrical company, through the building of a dam at Lakeland in North Queensland.
Kawanji recognises that there is a water shortage in Northern Queensland and we are concerned for our community and for our land, our flora and our fuana. We understand that the Lakeland Irrigation Scheme will bring some quick benefits, some economic and some provision of water and electricity.
However it’s the negative effects on Yalanji people that concerns us mostly. The flooding of our landscape, the effects of erosion, and the impacts on sacred sites, sediment being washed downstream, native fish being lost to new invasive species, algae growing in our reservoirs leading to higher greenhouse gases and the disruption of ecosystems. The Palmer River connects us together. We are the headwater and feel the responsibility not to damage the river system, so the clans downstream don’t pay a heavy cost. Above all of this we Traditional Owners lose story places, sacred places and see the break down songlines.
All that identifies us as Palmer River mob. We cannot allow the irrigation scheme and dam to be built. We stand here today to ask you, Traditional Owners, Scientists and professionals to support us and our decision to say no to the Lakeland Irrigation scheme and the Palmer River dam. To support us by signing the petition and stand with us in protecting our homeland.