Opening of funding floodgate expected to reshape the region’s future

HELLS Gates Dam is a “oncein- a- generation project” that could set the future direction for the development of Northern Australia.

That is the view of Towns- ville Enterprise chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan, who yesterday welcomed the Federal Government’s $ 54 million funding commitment to progress Hells Gates.

“This is a significant outcome for our region that has come less than a month since we, with SMEC and Charters Towers Regional Council confirmed the viability of this $ 5.35 billion irrigated agriculture and power project,” said Ms O’Callaghan ( pictured).

“Since then we and our

partners took the next step of making a strong case for government funding towards robust environmental and engineering assessments.”

Ms O’Callaghan said Stage 1 of the project, which includes s the construction of Big Rocks s Weir, was a “vital step forward” and would prove the potential of Hells Gates as a nation- building project.

“This is also great news for Charters Towers in particular in relation to Big Rocks and the opportunity to kick- start that project as soon as possible,” she said.

“Hells Gates is a once- in- ageneration project that has the potential to not only shape Townsville and North Queensland’s future but set the direction for the development of Northern Australia.”

Ms O’Callaghan said Townsville Enterprise looked forward to working through the details of this commitment with government.