Better to spend $ 1b on water

FOR the life of me, I find it very hard to believe that these State and Federal governments can even contemplate the thought of handing over/ lending up to $ 1 billion of the Australian taxpayers’ hardearned to an international multi- billion- dollar company.

If they can’t afford the construction costs themselves, or obtain the finance through normal channels like everyone else, then too bad.

Hello, we’ve got no bloody water remember. If we throw that amount of money and effort into projects to fix this ( water), think of the guaranteed jobs that will be created while rectifying our number one issue.

Not only that, this will create ongoing employment for many years after a mine comes and goes. Providing a much needed permanent water source not only for our major centres, but also for the many aspects of the agricultural industry. Be it fresh produce, cattle or cropping, it will continue to carry this country as it has since first settlement – far longer than any mining company ever will.

Having worked in the mining industry for the past 27 years, I am not opposed to this project, it just needs to be managed right and not at the expense of everyday Australians.

The ore isn’t going anywhere until they build the infrastructure to remove it. All Australian politicians need to start listening to their employers – the people of Australia.

Stop giving our assets away at huge cost to our future – it’s getting hard enough as it is for our children of tomorrow. CHRIS BRIDGEMAN,

Railway Estate.