Split and let’s benefit
IT is at last a good development that the leaders in North Queensland are now taking an interest in separating North and Central Queensland above the tropic of Capricorn from the Brisbane- based capital of South Queensland.
Many of us have pushed over many years to make this happen because we were aware North Queensland has been raped of its possessions to build and support an ever- increasing development of Brisbane and its closest regions.
Because Brisbane is located on the extreme bottom of the state, it is very possible many government members have never been to the extreme North to see its value and the danger of Australia losing it to invaders.
Where to place the capital of our new state depends on several issues.
From Cooktown to Rockhampton it could go to Townsville but if taken from Thursday Island to Rockhampton it is Cairns.
However, Cairns is already building on valuable land and should the boffins be correct, by the end of 2099 Cairns will be under water. This also applies to Townsville so we should start off with a brand- new capital with modern- day designs.
This means a city on the Burdekin before Charters Towers or a city on the Barron River between Mareeba and Atherton.
We should also be very careful in the number of politicians the people will want in both state and federal parliaments and select a name for the state, and consider power supply to the state, as the only large generator is at Stanwell and a host of small solar power stations during daylight.
Around Townsville we need to fix the port, rebuild the rail line from the wharf to Mount Isa, and build Hells Gates dam to provide water and power for developments, both for agriculture, and to give the new state reliable power in the North.
I trust when the meeting takes place in September between our leaders it will be cooperative and successful. GARTH HARRIGAN,
Aitkenvale.