Costly dam wall study is unnecessary overkill

I READ with interest the article in the Tuesday, September 3, edition of the Townsville Bulletin of the State Government’s intention to spend $16 million on the development of a business case for the raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam wall.

While this development is welcome, my first reaction is, you’ve got to be kidding.

Surely there has already been enough substantial research, feasibility studies and business cases undertaken over the years to support this project proceeding. Presumably the dam was originally engineered to accommodate the raising of the dam wall as part of Stage 2 following the completion of the Stage 1 construction process.

To spend this large amount of money on a feasibility study seems a complete waste of both time and money.

Can the Government just get on and do what the voters of North Queensland expect it to do: govern and make decisions that will provide long-term benefits for this region?

Surely this would fit the Government’s strategy of JOBS JOBS JOBS for the raising of the dam wall to proceed.

You can’t blame us North Queenslanders for being a bit suspicious when a group of politicians with a southeast corner-centric focus breeze into this city and make an announcement that is going to cause a delay for a major infrastructure project that is very important for this region.

I am sure this sort of delay would not be tolerated by the voters in the southeast corner of this state if they were faced with similar circumstances.

Can the Government please just get on with this very important project for North Queensland without any further unnecessary delays.

GRAHAM ASPINALL,

Kirwan.