FNQ left high and dry
MAYOR Bob Manning has indicated the Cairns region has been left thirsting for funds by the Prime Minister’s $200 million pipeline plan to ensure water security for the Townsville region.
Scott Morrison yesterday announced a $5 million business case to determine the merits of the slated Haughton pipeline duplication which, if built, will deliver water to the city from the Burdekin River.
“Governments can make anything stack up if they want it to and if the will is there,” Cr Manning said.
The Cairns Mayor said the allocation of State and Federal money to fund the building of a new stadium for the North Queensland Cowboys, upgrades to the Reef HQ Aquarium and now plans to drought-proof Townsville was a “never ending road”.
Cr Manning said Cairns does not have a “real requirement” to drought-proof the city but said there were other projects that could certainly benefit from $200 million in government funding.
“Our water supply requirement based upon our current levels of growth ... will probably get us through to 2045 maybe even 2050,” he said.
“We are not staring down the barrel of a gun at the moment. How can Townsville let itself get to a point where it’s in such a critical situation now? I know we are all drought stricken, but this is what you plan for.”
He said the Cairns Regional Council would continue to push for a business case to investigate the viability of the proposed Nullinga Dam on the Walsh River, near Mareeba on the Atherton Tableland.
“Governments give out their money, they also determine how it will be spent ... but getting a friendly ear is not that easy,” he said.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten announced if elected his government would immediately fund Stage 2 of the scheme, not requiring a new business case first.
Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole was concerned a business case could drag out and slow down the proposed pipeline build.
“The time for studies and reviews is over, it’s done, we know what to do,” she said.
Stage 2 of the pipeline will see an extension of a 34km pipeline beyond the Haughton Channel directly into the Burdekin River at Clare to pump 364 megalitres a day.