ROCKHAMPTON Mayor Margaret Strelow has rejected Dominic Doblo's plan for a mega-dam at The Gap.

Cr Strelow yesterday issued a statement that said with governments prepared to invest in water infrastructure, now was not the time to reinvent the wheel.

"But the reinvigoration of proposals for either the Nathan or Connors Dam is exciting for the region.

"With so much time and effort and studies already conducted, it's time for a united voice of encouragement to see these major projects developed."

Her comments, which follow those of Flynn MP Ken O'Dowd who is also against the mega-dam proposal, are a further blow for Mr Doblo whose vision it is to build a multi-billion dollar dam with a 10,000 gigalitre capacity.

However, the passionate businessman and former mayoral candidate is sticking to his guns.

"With that sort of attitude we know why Rockhampton is going backwards instead of forwards into the future," he said.

"I will still pursue The Gap. The idea has been around since the 1930s, long before Nathan and Connors. The idea was designed by Dr John Bradfield, designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the under- ground rail in Sydney and the Story Bridge in Brisbane.

"Nathan and Connors will not benefit Rocky directly but the Gap will while also giving us a population explosion of 10,000 people immediately.

"Remember 40 years ago Rocky's population was double Mackay's but today Mackay's population is 50% bigger than Rocky which is a sign of the weak leadership that Rockhampton has had the last 30 years."

He said our neighbouring regions were gaining billions of dollars more than Rockhampton from the mining industry and that the mega-dam would enable Rockhampton to realise its resource industry and agricultural potential.