Bob’s on money for pipeline

HE OFTEN gets a hard time for his epic rants, however in today’s Bob Katter is on the money when it comes to water security.

He is Hells Gates Dam’s most passionate supporter and staunchly believes the project should progress, as do we. But he recognises the immediate need for water security for Townsville and is strongly in favour of the Federal Government funding stage two of the Haughton pipeline project.

The Townsville Water Security Taskforce’s report has been handed over this week to all tiers of government and should be made publicly available as soon as possible so everyone can see the savings that will be made should that report’s recommendations be adopted.

Mr Katter has precious little to achieve by looking after the water needs of the city but he recognises the need for strong and unified voices in North Australia and that Hells Gates Dam and immediate water security for Townsville should never, ever be mutually exclusive projects. One is a long- term nationbuilding project that could change the face of agriculture in Northern Australia, and the other is a desperate need to solve a water crisis in our city.

We need more politicians, would- be politicians, leaders and members of the community sending a clear message to Canberra on our region’s priorities.

And it’s up to Canberra to listen.

Adani looks most promising

THE noises coming from mining giant Adani are becoming increasingly positive and this city welcomes the progress with open arms.

The Carmichael mine absolutely needs to be up and running before election fever takes over and Bill Shorten’s Labor Party sells out our coal industry to appease voters in leafy southern suburbs as we saw with Queensland Labor in the state election.

Staging the project sounds like an excellent way to get it off the ground as soon as possible.