Stage 2 of pipeline plan ‘must go ahead’
THE region’s peak economic development organisation has encouraged the Federal Government to remain committed to delivering Stage 2 of the Haughton pipeline project despite a business case suggesting there is no compelling case to build it.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O’callaghan said funding of the pipeline was an election commitment and there was a reasonable expectation from the community would now be delivered.
“The business case process was accepted by our community on the premise it would maximise return on investment and not be used as a mechanism to walk away from the commitment,” Ms O’callaghan said.
“The Reserve Bank Governor stated this week that the Federal Government must kickstart the economy through it infrastructure investment and job creating projects. Haughton Stage 2 is an obvious opportunity to achieve this objective.”
Ms O’callaghan said water security had become an economic issue for the region, acting as an impediment to investment and growth.
“As a key priority in our state and federal budget and election submissions over the past two years and discussed directly with all levels of government, Townsville Enterprise unequivocally supports Townsville City Council’s position on Stage 2,” Ms O’callaghan said.
“We encourage the Federal Government to remain committed to its announcement in November last year to deliver water security to Townsville.
“The allocation of these funds towards Stage 2 is the community’s priority.”