Activists push for redirection of taxpayers’ Adani airstrip cash

ANTI- ADANI activists have delivered a petition to the Townsville City Council asking councillors to walk away from funding an airstrip for the megamine completely.

GetUp member and South Townsville resident Erika Fer- guson yesterday delivered a 1642- signature petition to her local councillor Ann- Maree Greaney, calling on the council to rule out directing ratepayer money to help Adani.

“It’s clear that the people of Townsville don’t want their ratepayer money wasted on a private airstrip for Adani, not now and not ever,” she said.

“If Adani is going to profit from their Carmichael coal mine then they should be the ones who pay for their private airstrip.”

Ms Ferguson said GetUp members were also calling for a motion to be tabled at next Tuesday’s council meeting to formally lock in the decision to redirect funds.

The Bulletin understands the redirected funding priorities will be announced in the council budget, which is due to be handed down at the meeting.

It comes after the council announced it would be redi- recting $ 18.5 million earmarked for the airstrip into other projects.

Mayor Jenny Hill said last week that she still supported the mine but continued delays meant the money would be invested in other projects in Townsville.

“I’ve made it clear to Adani that should the company secure finance and is ready to start mining then council will be back at the table to ensure those FIFO jobs remain in Townsville,” she said.

Cr Greaney yesterday accepted submission of the petition from her constituent Ms Ferguson.