Maintain the rage for water security
THANK goodness for rain.
Let’s hope there is plenty more to come or at least that there are sufficient falls to end this drought.
The water restrictions have taken such a toll in so many ways. But if our prayers are answered and there is rain to fill Ross Dam, we must maintain the rage. Townsville must have water security.
Perhaps foremost in our minds should be the role the Federal Government will play.
It is not so long ago that federal, state and council leaders signed a City Deal. According to then federal Cities Minister Angus Taylor, it is a “full package of initiatives and investments that bring all three levels of government together” on initiatives including “long- term water security to support population and industry growth”. So where is the Federal Government in Townsville’s hour of need on water?
Malcolm Turnbull’s government participated in the Townsville water security taskforce but so far there is no investment.
The State Government has committed more than $ 200 million to develop a larger pipeline from the Haughton pump station to Ross Dam.
More work is needed to increase the capacity of the channel beyond the Haughton pump station to Clare and to develop a solar array to reduce pumping costs.
The Federal Government must be made to honour its City Deal commitments. Other issues rest with Townsville City Council.
Once more reliable infrastructure is in place the council should end level three water restrictions or at least trigger them at 5 per cent capacity in Ross Dam, as previously occurred before the change to 20 per cent in 2015.
And then there is the earnings of Townsville Water. Residents tell me it is a cash cow with annual profits redirected to fund other activities.
From the limited figures provided by the council on its website the water unit looks to be doing well despite the drought with a predicted surplus before capital items of $ 37.94 million for 2017- 18.
I have sought answers from the council about this but so far they are yet to respond.