$3 million in funding towards a water assessment on the Tablelands is set to begin, after Member for Hill Shane Knuth was notified by the Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water the electorate would be one of only three (3) in the state which had been granted funding. 

Member for Hill Shane Knuth said he was advised in a written letter from the Minister, that the North Johnstone Diversion Project would also be assessed as part of the Tablelands regional water assessment. 

Mr Knuth and Federal MP Bob Katter have been strong advocates of the North Johnstone Transfer project. 

A number of irrigators, present and past members of the Tablelands Regional Council have also been lobbying for this project for many years. 

“When Tinaroo Dam was constructed, it was acknowledged at the time that it would not meet future water demands on the Tablelands. As such the North Johnstone Transfer was designed, to provide an extra supplement of water to meet this future demand,” said Mr Knuth. 

“If constructed, it would be a huge asset for not only irrigators but recreational water users.”