Katter says delaying Hells Gates will take toll on LNP Damned if you don’t
HELLS Gates Dam champion Bob Katter says the Federal Government will face the wrath of North Queensland voters if it delays funding a Townsville water security solution.
The Kennedy MP has backed calls to fund Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline Duplication immediately and warned the LNP not to pursue a further business case on the project.
“The whole Queensland will rage,” he said.
“The Government says keep doing studies, which we know means ‘ no’ because after 30 years of asking for water infrastructure we know that’s a ‘ no’ and we’re not going to cop it. Don’t insult our intelligence by asking us for another study.”
The Townsville Water Security Taskforce officially handed down its final report, which recommended funding Stage 2, to all three levels of of go North into a government on Tuesday.
The report noted a saving of up to $ 55 million in capital costs could be achieved if the project was built c o n c u r r e n t l y with Stage 1.
Despite this opportunity, Mr Katter said he was concerned some members in the Government would support the next stage of the Hells Gates Dam instead.
“Don’t tell me you’re doing Hells Gates because at the mo- ment you’ve not funded it,” he said.
“Even if you do ( fund) Hells Gates it’s not going to be delivered fast enough to head off the impending water crisis in Townsville.
“You can’t use Hells Gates as an excuse.”
LNP candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson said long term water security for Townsville was his “number one priority,” which he had discussed with Cabinet Ministers, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
“While the Member for Kennedy has concerns around that issue the only thing at the forefront of my mind is advocating for, and fighting for, the people of Townsville and long term water security,” he said.
Federal Labor has committed $ 100 million to the pipeline if elected and leader Bill Shorten told the Bulletin he would continue to discuss the report with the Water Taskforce and local government.
“( The Federal Government) are so out of touch that their only idea to secure Townsville’s water is yet another review,” he said.
“Local residents have every right to be fed up.”