More accolades for Rookwood Weir, thanks to the Miles Government record investment in water infrastructure

Brisbane, March 17 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

Rookwood Weir has again been recognised for its high construction standards and sustainability practices, being shortlisted as a finalist in the Planning and Infrastructure category for the 2023 Premier’s Awards for Excellence.

The nomination acknowledges the project’s commitment to delivering a safe and secure water supply and creating more jobs in regional Queensland. This is the project’s third major accolade. The project was named joint winner of the Queensland Major Contractors Association’s Project of the Year Over $100M Award in early 2024; for best-practice weir design and delivery.

In 2023, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council awarded Rookwood Weir an “excellent” rating after evaluating economic, social and environmental performance during its design phase. This was the first time a weir in Australia or New Zealand was certified for an Infrastructure Sustainability Rating and recognised the project’s focus on habitat connectivity, energy savings and local employment and training.

The award-winning Weir will provide water to 25 customers, unlocking more agricultural produce and jobs. One of the Weir’s customers is Lush Lychees, who say the water from the weir will enable the business to plant 4,000 new lychee trees at their South Yaamba property.

Expanding their orchard to 9,000 trees will enable the business to hire up to two permanent employees and an additional 30 casual picking staff.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek said that:

“I am thrilled that Rookwood Weir is in the running for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence.

“This project was no easy task, so this nomination is a real credit to the dedication and hard work of the project team.

“Seeing the real, on the ground benefits for local growers such as Lush Lychees is proof of the impact this project will continue to have in the region.

“Rookwood Weir is playing a vital role in delivering secure and reliable water for Central Queensland as well as supporting the local economy and providing jobs for future generations.”

Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher explains that:

“The Queensland Labor Government invested in this project because we knew it would transform Central Queensland and generate more jobs in more industries.

“Not only is the weir the biggest in the nation since World War 2, and the biggest bulk water asset the country has seen in over a decade, but these awards show it’s one of the best projects of its kind in the world. That is truly an amazing achievement. We certainly don’t do anything by half measures here in Queensland.

“One thing’s for sure – if you want water infrastructure, if you want regional jobs – it’s only the Labor party that can deliver for Central Queensland.

“These awards are a feather in the cap for all the staff that had a role in this important Central Queensland project.”

Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke was happy to witness the project:

“It has been fantastic to witness this Central Queensland project come to life and we can now look forward to the water from the weir contributing to the future prosperity of the region.

“It’s great to hear from growers large and small about how water from Rookwood is helping them grow their businesses and create new jobs. This project will transform our region and I’m not surprised it has received so many accolades.

“Only Labor delivers for Central Queensland. I’m proud to see the Weir creating construction jobs, agriculture jobs, food manufacturing jobs, Sunwater jobs – so many jobs for Rockhampton and all of Central Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga:

“I’m proud to see Rookwood creating more jobs in Central Queensland and it is exciting to see this new dawn for high-value agriculture in our region.

“This Labor government is delivering for Central Queensland through vital water security projects like Rookwood Weir, the Mount Morgan Pipeline, Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline and the many projects funding through Building our Regions.

All are part of the Miles Government’s $5.8 billion investment in water infrastructure since 2015.

“At a time when the LNP are talking about themselves, nuclear power and who knows what, we’re continuing to get on with the job of delivering infrastructure to Central Queensland.”

Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton talked about the design: “It’s pleasing to see the Rookwood Weir project team receiving recognition for all their efforts over the past few years, overcoming a range of challenges to design and deliver a world-class water storage.

“Sunwater would like to acknowledge the dedication and support of our Alliance partners - ACCIONA, GHD and McCosker Contracting Pty Ltd – with whom we share the opportunity to bring prosperity to regional Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Lush Lychees owner, Krystal Caton:

“This water allocation from

Rookwood Weir is vital for the growth of our business. We’re able to expand our lychee production and explore the production of new horticulture crops as well as improving the irrigation of our dryland cropping using structures like pivots.

“The planting of 4,000 new lychee trees has boosted our orchard to 9,000 trees which is impressive for a lychee farm!

“We will be able to create new jobs during planting, pivot construction and for harvest periods. We anticipate hiring an additional 30 casual picking staff and several permanent employees.

“This allocation will significantly help expand our business by making it drought-proof and enhancing sustainability.”

Further Information:

Rookwood Weir was completed in late 2024 and thanks to good rain over the catchment late last year and early this year, has already filled and spilled, bringing the weir closer to formal commissioning.

Wet commissioning activities at the weir continue and finalisation of these and some environmental approvals will enable Sunwater to provide customers with water from the weir.

Landholders successful in Rookwood Weir water sales are also in the process of completing contractual requirements before finalising their water entitlements to access water from the weir.

Office of Fair Trading recovers more than $13 million for Queensland consumers

Brisbane, March 27 (MCCQ Newsdesk,Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

A massive $13 million was returned to Queenslanders’ pockets in 2023 with the Office of Fair Trading finalizing a record number of complaints.

The Office of Fair Trading finalized 20,985 consumer complaints across the state last year – an increase of 1,675 from 2022.

Personal and household goods continues to be the state’s most complained about category, with thousands of complaints received about everyday items such as white goods, appliances, computers, clothing, and footwear. This category consistently ranks highly in the Office of Fair Trading’s annual complaints list because these are the types of items Queensland consumers purchase frequently.

The top five most complained about categories in Queensland in 2023 were:

Personal and household goods.

Motor vehicle sales.

Personal and household services.

Fuel-related complaints.

Motor vehicle service and repairs.

Australian Consumer Law provides consumers with automatic rights when they buy a good or service.

When goods or services don’t meet these standards, the consumer is entitled to a remedy - such as a refund, repair, or replacement.

While most traders do the right thing by their customers, in situations where they don’t, the Office of Fair Trading will take the matter up on the consumer’s behalf.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family

Violence, Yvette D’Ath, said regarding the issue that:

“We know Queenslanders are feeling cost of living pressures which is why it’s more important than ever that consumers get what they pay for.

“Last year, the government helped a record number of consumers get refunds, replacements and other compensation, with the Office of Fair Trading finalizing almost 21,000 complaints.

“The Office of Fair Trading was able to secure a full refund of $26,000 for a buyer who was sold a dodgy car, while in another case, $13,000 worth of repairs were arranged for a consumer whose furniture had been damaged by a removalist.

“The Office of Fair Trading was also able to get $11,827 back for two Queensland pensioners whose flights had been canceled due to the pandemic in 2020.

“The consumers had been going back and forth with the trader for over three years before making a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading which was able to get a full refund for the couple.

“All up, more than $13 million has gone back to consumers in 2023.

“Queenslanders know they can trust the Miles Government to stand up for their consumer rights and to work with businesses to deliver fair outcomes.

“If you believe you have not been treated fairly and cannot reach a satisfactory outcome directly with the business, you can lodge a complaint on the Office of Fair Trading’s website or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).” seniors

“We know many seniors are feeling the increased cost of living,”

“These expos and pop-ups focus on what seniors can receive from the government to ease some of those pressures.

“They’re an opportunity to hear first-hand from seniors about what is important to them and to make sure they know about concessions available to them.

“Seniors can save money on a range of goods and services, including electricity, medical aids, public transport and vehicle registration.