Budget needs to deliver on big promises

TOMORROW night’s Federal Budget will hopefully deliver much needed stimulus for regional cities such as Townsville.

After a tough couple of years for the city’s economy it seems Townsville may have finally turned a corner but there are a few issues standing in the way of real growth – water security, baseload power and jobs.

The city’s future has grown brighter in recent months with a host of positive developments announced.

Chief among them is the naming of Watpac as the managing contractor for Townsville’s CBD stadium, which will guarantee hundreds of local jobs on the city- defining landmark in the coming three years.

Boston Energy and Innovation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Townsville City Council, paving the way to construct a large- scale battery plant here.

Described as the “biggest single stimulus for jobs and economic development in Townsville in decades”, the plant would employ 1000 people and could be operating by 2020.

Combined with news of the Kidston and Ross River solar farms beginning construction, the Mater Emergency Department creation, the Elliot Springs development and the city’s bid to be the FIFO hub for Adani’s Carmichael coal mine and MMG’s Dugald River zinc mine, Townsville’s future is looking brighter than it has in a long time.

The dark spots currently being faced in that bright future are the city’s lack of long- term water security and energy solutions; problems city leaders hope will be addressed in tomorrow’s budget.

Mayor Jenny Hill says water and energy are at the top of her wish list to help keep Townsville moving forward – issues that have been ignored for far too long, risking future growth and development.

Skyrocketing power prices and water restrictions are some of the biggest issues being faced by Townsville residents and businesses.

It’s a problem that can no longer be ignored – here’s hoping the Federal Government concurs.