Hells Gate worthy of exploring

NEWS the Hells Gate Dam project has been deemed “technically viable” will pique the interest of North Queenslanders.

While we’re yet to see the final feasibility study, including the economic components of the project, early signs suggest the multi- billion dollar dam could be a game changer for the North.

Townsville Enterprise, which is responsible for managing the $ 2.2 million feasibility study, says it’s previously been measured in its views as to what the dam could mean and whether or not it was achievable, but TEL’s director of policy and investment Michael McMillan is buoyed by the preliminary findings.

This project has the potential to not only provide long- term water security for Townsville, but to allow significant agricultural development for Northern Australia as well as generate 12,000 megawatts of power. Should the rest of this report show the project stacks up, it will be crucial to get this project on the agenda of all levels of government.

Bali flights will be missed

IT’S hugely deflating to see Townsville Airport lose its Jetstar Bali flights as of today.

Jetstar said the Bali route was one of its worst- performing despite the airport CEO Kevin Gill saying it was well supported by the community until its final service. Both Jetstar and Queensland Airports Ltd seem to be at odds over whether or not the airport was helpful enough in trying to make the route viable.

Jetstar said the airport’s offer of help fell short of what it needed while Mr Gill said the airport did everything it could to maintain the service. Outbound flights from Townsville to Bali for cheap overseas holidays were hugely popular for locals, but it’s sad to see losing these flights will also have an impact on local businesses such as that of Andy MacNee’s Bali Stone.

Now the airport’s only international flights are to PNG and the main concern is that the facility maintains its international status by continuing this service and adding to its other routes.