Call for greater food security in dam expansion plan
A fisheries expert says better food security should be part of any dam expansion plan for north Queensland.
A Federal Opposition discussion paper has suggested building as many as 100 dams across the Australia.
It says the dams would provide economic benefits, generate power and feed 120 million people in the Asia Pacific.
The cost is estimated at $30 billion.
Consultant Colin Creighton says some of that money should be spent on improving water management.
"It's not so much about dams, it's more about how we think about how we use that water," he said.
"Smarter irrigation would reopen estuary areas and provide for Townsville's further development for the next 100 years.
"We could provide for industry development in Bowen just by using the water more wisely."