THE government-owned company established to fast-track the Traveston Dam will spend $400,000 on marketing, advertising and informing us about the environment assessment process under way.

Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Ltd was set up to oversee the approval and construction of the Traveston and Wyaralong dams. It has a budget of about $100 million over five-and-a-half years to see the projects through to completion.

QWI has employed private public relations firm Three Plus to disseminate information and encourage the community to have a say during the year-long preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.

But CEO Graeme Newton insists the money will not be spent on attempting to put a positive spin on the controversial project.

"I know Three Plus is a public relations firm but their particular role with us is community consultation," Mr Newton said.

Mr Newton would not comment on contractual arrangements with Three Plus but said QWI had allocated $400,000 for the production of material, updating the website, advertising and the general provision of information during the EIS consultation process, which is expected to be finalised late next year.

The government is already facing criticism for its hefty PR spending, estimated to cost taxpayers close to $40 million year.

The opposition's spokesperson on infrastructure, Fiona Simpson, questioned the need for a private public relations company to disseminate information about the Traveston Dam and said the hallmark of the Beattie Government had been its commitment to spin.

"This government seems to think the solution to meeting Queensland's needs is to put another PR firm on the payroll," Miss Simpson said.