Right move to redirect Adani ‘ gift’

TOWNSVILLE City Council’s decision to redirect funding set aside for an airport to service Adani's proposed Carmichael Mine will be welcomed by large sections of the community.

The decision by council to commit $ 18.5 million in funding for the airport was met with widespread opposition among ratepayers.

The council justified the decision by saying it was necessary to ensure Townsville got its share of the fly- in fly- out jobs associated with the project.

Townsville was facing stiff competition from Rockhampton to be the FIFO hub.

Adani decided to split the hub, committing to have an equal number of workers based in both centres.

In return, Townsville and Rockhampton councils pledged $ 18.5 million each for construction of an airport near the mine site.

The feeling among those ratepayers opposed to the decision was that the council should not be helping to fund a piece of infrastructure for a rich mining company, especially considering its not even in the Townsville local government area.

Townsville City Council has now decided it can wait no longer for final approval for the delayed Adani project.

Rather than having the money sitting idle, it will commit those funds to “jobs- generating, shovel- ready” projects in Townsville with more details to be announced when the Budget is brought down on June 26.

It does not close the door on the council entering into a similar agreement over the airport in the future, but that will only happen when the Adani project is fully financed and cleared to start. The council runs the risk of Rockhampton making a play to get all FIFO jobs.

However, that risk is low and the council is right to focus on ensuring projects which are ready to go get the funds they need to proceed.