Community support
- Queensland Water Infrastructure
- Community Futures Task Force
- Business Adjustment Scheme
- Worker Assistance Program
- Land use and planning studies
- Historical documentation project
The Department of Communities has a lead agency role in providing support to community members and organisations affected by the government's decision to build the proposed dams at Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong.
In July 2006, the department established a one stop shop in Kandanga to enable residents affected by the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam to access information about the dam proposal, individual and community support from Lifeline and referral to government programs. A one stop shop was previously established in Boonah in 2006 to provide Wyaralong and Cedar Grove residents with counselling and support services. These services are now available from the Boonah Shire Council, Boonah Shire Public Library and the Fassifern Community Centre.
The department participates in regular Community Futures Task Force meetings and works with the task force and other State Government agencies to manage the community and social issues which may be a result of the government's announcement to build the dams.
The department identifies and monitors emerging community and social issues through the following processes:
- attendance at community forums and meetings such as land use planning workshops conducted by the Office of Urban Management and business information sessions conducted by the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority
- chairing of the Regional Services Forum which comprises representation from State Government regional offices which service the Mary Valley
- staff and Lifeline counsellors at the Kandanga One Stop Shop who support residents affected by the proposed dams and other key stakeholders, and
- regular statistics received from the departmentally-funded Lifeline case management services at Kandanga and Boonah.
Queensland Water Infrastructure
Queensland Water Infrastructure was established by the State Government in June 2006 to progress the feasibility and potential design and construction of four major water infrastructure projects in south east Queensland: the Traveston Crossing Dam, Wyaralong Dam, Cedar Grove Weir and Bromelton Offstream Storage.
Queensland Water Infrastructure is undertaking the approvals process for these projects including environmental assessments, preliminary design work and assessment of land and infrastructure impacts.
The draft terms of reference for the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams may be viewed at www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/water/traveston-crossing-dam.html.
The Department of Communities' response to the draft terms of reference focused on ensuring that community wellbeing and engagement were maintained in the local and broader community during all phases of the dam project.
Community Futures Task Force
The Community Futures Task Force was established in 2006 as a central coordination mechanism to assist its members to meet their responsibilities for the proposed Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams. The Community Futures Task Force is comprised of Directors-General of State Government departments and mayors of affected shires. The task force is chaired by Major General Peter Arnison.
The Community Futures Task Force:
- addresses the immediate effects on individuals and communities arising from the proposals to build the dams
- develops strategies to maximise the longer term opportunities presented by the proposed dams
- undertakes community engagement in the Community Futures Task Force work program and provides regular information to the community, and
- develops community and government linkages to address issues and impacts.
Business Adjustment Scheme
On behalf of the State Government, the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority provides a Business Adjustment Scheme to businesses which are adversely affected by the proposed Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams.
The Business Adjustment Scheme includes:
- business advice assistance which enables eligible businesses to seek reimbursement for costs associated with obtaining professional financial advice regarding the adverse effects on their business of the proposed Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams
- business restructure assistance which enables eligible businesses to develop and implement business strategies to improve the ongoing viability of their business and provides support for the short term decline in profitability suffered as a result of the dam announcement
- business exit assistance which provides a one-off payment to an eligible business where, as a result of the dam announcement, exiting the business is the only realistic option.
Further information on eligibility guidelines is available at the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority website.
Worker Assistance Program
Through the Worker Assistance Program, the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry provides employment and training assistance to residents who have lost their jobs as a result of their previous employer closing down or downsizing due to the government's decision to build dams at Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong.
Land use and planning studies
The Office of Urban Management provides leadership in regional planning and manages urban growth and the effective provision of infrastructure in south east Queensland. The Office of Urban Management and the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation have commenced work on planning studies for the Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams. The projects commenced in October 2006, will run until late 2007 and involve broad land use studies for the areas as well as specific investigations for townships affected by the Traveston Crossing Dam.
Historical documentation project
As the proposed dams are a major milestone for the affected communities, Queensland State Archives will produce two historical booklets and conduct community archive workshops in the Cooloola and Boonah areas.
The booklets will be researched and written by professional historians on selected aspects of historical significance to the Cooloola and Boonah regions. The workshops will be conducted by expert staff from the Queensland State Archives to assist local historical groups and individuals in the preservation and management of their own records, including advice on photographic collections.