SHOW ME THE STUDY RESULT
MAYOR Jenny Hill has called on the Federal Government to provide a copy of a business case into Stage 2 of the Haughton water supply pipeline so her council can properly address suggestions there is no compelling case to build it.
But the Federal Government, which is looking increasingly likely to redirect its promised $195 million to another Townsville project, says the council was provided with the final business case on June 20.
The conflicting statements come as Dawson MP George Christensen says business case consultant Jacobs questioned the project, not he or Herbert MP Phil Thompson as reported yesterday.
An executive summary of the business case, dated May 31, says financial analysis does not suggest “a compelling case to build” Stage 2.
It says residential bills will rise by an average of 8 per cent if additional capital costs, which the business case finds are needed, and operating costs were recovered from customers.
Cr Hill said she was given a briefing and a copy of a slide show by Jacobs on Tuesday and told she could not have a copy of the report.
She said she received a copy of the executive summary from a media outlet yesterday.
“I don’t agree with the way they have done the summary (but) we’ve got no idea what information they used to come up with the conclusions which is why we need to get a detailed report,” Cr Hill said.
“We’ve always said the impact on ratepayers would be negligible if (Stage 2) was fully funded.”
But a spokeswoman for Deputy Prime Minister Michael Mccormack said the council’s representative on the project steering committee overseeing development of the business case received the full report on June 20.
The spokeswoman said the committee met fortnightly from March 8, 2019, to discuss the progress of the business case, reviewing draft versions.
A final steering committee meeting was held on June 3.
“On 20 June, 2019, all committee members including Townsville City Council received the final business case,” the spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said the Government had always been committed to ensuring value for taxpayer funds while ensuring Townsville’s long-term water supply.
“The business case for Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline shows the collaborative approach of the Townsville City Deal is already delivering water security for Townsville, meaning the construction of Stage 2 will not be required for several decades,” the spokeswoman said.
“Our commitment is to invest the remaining $195 million of funding in Townsville. While we are yet to have a final decision on the pipeline, if it does not proceed we will work with our City Deal partners of Queensland Government, Townsville City Council and the broader community to identify other projects that generate sustainable jobs that contribute to long-term growth for the city.”