Acting Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has accused the Nationals’ Senator Barnaby Joyce of trying to frustrate progress on a vital south-east Queensland water project.

Senator Joyce says he wants a Senate inquiry into the proposed Traveston Crossing dam near Gympie.

Ms Bligh says the Federal Government already has environmental checks in place and the Senate’s involvement is unnecessary.

“I have to say I’m disappointed Senator Joyce would even contemplate this without so much as seeking a briefing from the State Government about the water needs of south-east Queensland,” she said.

“A bit of politicking I’m afraid from the National party Senator who seems to have forgotten he’s the Senator for all Queensland, including the south-east, and the people who need water.”

Meanwhile, conservationists say it is imperative the Federal Government conducts an open and transparent review of the proposed Traveston dam.

A spokesman for Ms Bligh says the project has this week been referred to the Federal Government for consideration under Commonwealth legislation.

Roger Currie from the Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council says it is important the process is made public.

“There have been indications of that, based on Senator Joyce’s comments and also Senator [Ian] Campbell’s comments previously, that they would be a little bit reticent about allowing the Queensland Government to assess Traveston without having some sort of transparent, independent, public inquiry into just what really the impacts may be,” he said.