Urannah Dam

The Urannah Dam is a project, proposed as a dam that includes a water pipeline network, an irrigated precinct of , and a pumped hyro-electricity storage and power generation infrastructure. The dam would provide water to mining in the region, as well as agriculture. The project proponent is Bowen River Utilities, previously known as the Urannah Water Scheme. I the report, the support of regional mining expansion was expressed as the first and foremost of the opportunities listed for the water allocation. A supplementary "Water Demand Study" stated that within the region there were 30 active coal mines, and 57 proposed coal mining projects, and that there was a major shortfall of water required to supply the Bowen Basin coal industry. The Urannah Dam was also linked to the expansion of coal mining in the Galilee Basin. The dam was first proposed in the 1960s. Since then, there have been over 25 feasibility studies into the dam, but the project had not proceeded beyond that stage. A report prepared on behalf of the Mackay Conservation Group assessing the cost benefits of the dam project found that for every dollar spent on the dam, only 75 cents would be returned. In 2016, the Australian Government granted A$3 million for a feasibility study for the project. There were concerns raised about the allocation of this funding despite Urannah Dam not being on a list of priority projects sent to the then Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Major concerns over conflict of interest were also raised, as the funding was awarded to the company Initiative Capital, which was run by an LNP member and party donor. In December 2019, the Queensland Government granted for a business case and environmental impact statement to be developed. The studies were expected completed by late 2021. In May 2020, the project was declared a coordinated project by Queensland's Coordinator-General, with a proposed construction date of 2022. However, by late 2022, it was reported that the project was cancelled, due to the withdrawal of federal government funding. == Cultural significance ==

Urannah is part of the homelands of the Wiri and Birri peoples of the Birri Gubba Nation. Urannah contains Aboriginal sacred sites, including burial sites and ceremonial sites. The Wiri and Birri peoples have stated: == Environmental significance ==

The Urannah valley is a pristine and undisturbed ecosystem, home to many terrestrial and aquatic species. The area contains a diversity of terrestrial habitats, including steep mountains and forested valleys, and over 20 plant species have been recorded at Urannah. Forest ecosystems at Urannah includes the endangered bluegum forests, as well as ironbark and black iron box forest. Urannah is also a rare example of pre-European native grasslands. Urannah is home to the IUCN-listed "near threatened" species black-necked stork (Jaiburu), and the "vulnerable" grey falcon. Thirty species of birds have been identified at Urannah, including kookaburras, cockatoos, eagles, honey-eaters, owls, kingfishers and pelicans. The endangered Eungella day frog has been found at Urannah. Five species of fish have been found in Urannah's rivers, including rainbow fish, 5-barred grunter, spangled perch, sooty grunter and blue catfish. Crocodiles and platypus are also known to live in the rivers and creeks of Urannah. == Notes ==