A COUNCIL decision to spend $800,000 on yet another dam study for Stanthorpe was made against expert advice, confidential documents obtained by the Daily News reveal.

While the Daily News is waiting for Southern Downs Regional Council to confirm how much has been spent on studies over the past two decades, it's believed to be in the millions.

Secret reports detail strident advice from experts that the Emu Swamp Dam, which could cost up to $80 million, would have no hope of getting government approval for environmental reasons.

All discussions on the Stanthorpe water situation have been held behind closed doors.

However the Daily News has gained access to these reports following a Right to Information application.

Just a day before the reports were released last week council issued a press release inviting the public to a meeting in Stanthorpe.

According to the documents, a June report to council presented consultant Unidel's findings and in conclusion said, "The conclusions reached by Unidel align with the message being received from other consultants and state departments - that the Emu Swamp Dam in its current configuration is unlikely to receive approval for environmental reasons."

Despite this, council moved in June to proceed with the $800,000 supplementary environmental impact statement for the project, which could take 18 months to complete.

Mayor Ron Bellingham, Peter Blundell and Neil Meiklejohn voted against the recommendation but were defeated six votes to three.

With the new Resource Operations Plan due to be drawn in 2014, the fear is the Border Rivers region could lose the 4500 ML of unallocated water that State Government has suggested as a potential gift to the Commonwealth for the Murray Darling Basin plan.

Speaking yesterday, Cr Bellingham said he wanted to make sure the Stanthorpe community was fully informed about the proposed dam.

Cr Bellingham said next week's public meeting would present the full and latest facts on the controversial plan, studies on which have already cost both Warwick and Stanthorpe ratepayers heavily over the last two decades.

The mayor said council needed to be sure they were "taking the Stanthorpe community with them" whatever path they chose.

"We need people to understand that a firm commitment would be needed from the State Government for the main share of funding as our community could not possibly bear the entire cost."

Councillors have been split in the past over a long-term solution for Stanthorpe's urban water woes, particularly after reaching crisis point during the drought in 2007.

LNP premiership candidate Campbell Newman was also lobbied extensively during his visit to Stanthorpe last month.

Cost estimates have put the Emu Swamp option at over $77 million, with previous indications from the State Government being council would have to pick up about 40 per cent of the cost or about $30m.

Local growers remain split over how best to use 3000 ML State Government irrigation component, with options including the Emu Swamp project or by securing greater on-farm storages.

Many have voiced concern water from an Emu Swamp Dam would be unaffordable.

The public meeting will take place at 7pm on Tuesday October 11 in the Stanthorpe Civic Centre.