Water loses out to Adani

IN RESPONSE to the letter from the 20 prominent businesspeople of Townsville who I respect, their support for the Adani project is admirable.

We all understand business will be the major beneficiary of this project, however, ratepayers are expected to support the $ 20 million council investment on the basis they will receive a “trickle down” benefit. You, the community, can decide if that has any substance. My concern, and that of others, is the lack of balance in the decision making of council.

Our biggest issue and our most valuable resource, water, does not receive $ 1 of the $ 20 million investment to resolve our immediate water supply issues.

When Tony Mooney was mayor, he transformed our city into a beautiful living environment. Our tourism industry flourished along with investment in our great city.

Now, 20 years on, and at the stroke of a policy pen, current Mayor Jenny Hill has turned our city into a wilderness of dying vegetation and dust.

Fly over our once beautiful city and you get hit between the eyes with the arid landscape which has developed.

Relatives and friends visiting numbers have dropped alarmingly. Business investment has stagnated.

Jenny, it’s time to get out the policy pen and make some balanced decisions which benefit the whole of the community, which will then attract business, tourist and families once more. JOHN BEARNE,

Castle Hill.