WHITSUNDAY MP Jason Costigan and the Queensland Opposition are again blowing wind into the sails of the embattled Urannah Dam project, ahead of State Budget talks and before yet another feasibility study begins.

Shadow minister for infrastructure Andrew Powell and Mr Costigan said the State Government had "dragged their feet” on building and funding dams in Queensland.

"We're two months away from the State Budget and we have one message for Treasurer Jackie Trad - Commit to Urannah,” Mr Powell said.

"They had to be forced kicking and screaming to even do the feasibility study using the funds the Federal Government gave them.”

Numerous studies into the dam have been completed since 1967, by Queensland Irrigation and Water Supply, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation, Mackay Tourism, the State Government, Department of Natural Resources, Bowen Collinsville Enterprise and Sunwater.

Member for Burdekin Dale Last told The Daily Mercury yesterday Bowen Collinsville Enterprise would put the newest feasibility study project to tender within weeks. He said the business group was also in talks with the Indigenous group for the land where the dam would be built.

"It's always been on the radar and governments over the years have been interested in constructing it,” he said, adding the dam project had always fallen short of securing funding, "the final hurdle”.

The concept of damming Urannah, to create a 1.5 million megalitre water source for the region, was first championed by former Bowen mayor and Queensland Attorney-General Peter Delmonthe in the 1960s.

At last count there has been 18 feasibility studies into the dam. Mr Powell said the state had not attempted to access funding for the dam under the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.

But in a response to a recent Question on Notice, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said by the fund rules, the dam must be construction-ready to be eligible for funding. Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Urannah Dam was one of many "priority potential” bulk water projects being considered across the state. $225 million was recently committed to the Haughton pipeline in Townsville and $176 million to the Rookwood weir near Rockhampton.