Treasurer locks in $ 150m for region
TREASURER Scott Morrison has guaranteed $ 150 million in federal funding initially slated for a Townsville rail corridor will be redirected to another local project if the original plan is shelved.
Mr Morrison said the money allocated in last year’s budget for the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor ( TEARC) would be spent on an “alternate” Townsville infrastructure project if the business case for the rail did not stack up economically.
“The Eastern Access Rail Corridor obviously has some issues with its viability as a project,” he said.
“When ( TEARC) was first floated, Queensland Nickel was doing something very different to what it’s doing now and so that gives us an opportunity to look again at that project and if that project is not one that passes muster then that $ 150 million will be spent on alternative projects.”
Mr Morrison was in Townsville yesterday spruiking the Federal Government’s infrastructure credentials, including a $ 100 million commitment for the construction of the North Queensland Stadium in 2016.
“That $ 100 million that the Commonwealth has invested ( in the stadium), partnering with the State Government to make this happen is part of a much bigger package for Townsville,” he said. Mr Morrison defended the Government’s commitment to the region despite Townsville not receiving any direct infrastructure funding in last week’s Federal Budget.
“We’re only going to invest in projects that we know are going to make a real impact on the ground here economically, creating jobs, support- ing investment, building a stronger economy here in North Queensland,” he said.
Mr Morrison said he would also be meeting with representatives from the Port of Townsville to discuss what their key investment issues were.
“I’m looking forward to having a good conversation about that as well as the other infrastructure priorities here around Townsville.”
But Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said Mr Morrison’s post- budget visit was a “slap in the face” for Townsville.
“The Treasurer must think people in Townsville have got no memory ... he has just come up here and told everyone what they already know,” she said.
Ms O’Toole said she would welcome any plans to redirect the TEARC funds into other “much needed” infrastructure projects.
“But whatever the Treasurer decides he needs to address the fact is that ( Labor) have already committed money for the port channel widening, water security and hydro energy,” she said.