What he does believe is that if a plan is not in place very close to the due date set by Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, the project will almost certainly sink without a trace.

Mr Draper told The Leader yesterday there was a serious risk the Federal Government could go to an early election in 2010 given recent polling that has shown the Opposition closing the gap.

“Politics could come ahead of community interest,” he said.

“I have had assurances from Minister Costa as recently as last week that a workable (water sharing) plan is achievable and will be delivered.

“I actually believe him – we have been treated well during this process.”

Mr Draper said that while the Federal

Government had only given the augmentation upgrade conditional support, there was little chance it would go ahead if a plan was not signed off on close to the deadline.