O’Toole calls for action on deal

NORTH Queensland representatives want a crucial multibillion- dollar Defence deal finalised as soon as possible to kickstart the benefits it will bring to the region.

Department of Defence officials have been negotiating with landowners in Greenvale, northwest of Townsville, throughout 2018 in a bid to secure land for a training area needed as part of the $ 2.2 billion Australia- Singapore Military Training Initiative.

It is understood the department significantly increased offers to landowners in recent weeks, which has helped the deal progress.

The positive developments came after several setbacks, including a failed bid to secure land at Herveys Range by compulsory acquisition.

Defence requires the land to construct a training area for about 14,000 Singaporean soldiers to use for 14 weeks a year for the next 25 years.

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole welcomed recent reports of progress but said the Federal Government needed to take responsibility for the delayed negotiations.

“If they had been open and honest about how they needed to acquire land it wouldn’t have taken so long,” she said.

“This government needs to own and accept that it is through their own doing.”

Ms O’Toole said the deal was “critically important” and would provide substantial opportunities to small businesses in North Queensland.

“It will be good for local jobs and contractors as well as place Townsville on the map for tourism,” she said.

LNP candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson said he had raised the importance of the deal with Prime Minister Scott Morrison during his recent visit to Townsville.

“It’s something that I’m passionate about. I can see the benefits that will flow into the region,” he said. “The Singaporean Army uses Rheinmetall vehicles – the same company contracted to build vehicles for Australia under the Land 400 deal – which means we should be able to develop a maintenance hub for those vehicles here in the North.”

Charters Towers Mayor Liz Schmidt said the initiative had never been threatened.

“It’s never been off the table, there’s only been a couple of graziers who haven’t been in the room with Defence,” Cr Schmidt said.

“The majority of graziers accepted a fair and reasonable offer.”

Ms Schmidt said the community was supportive of the department’s processes and dealings with landowners.