Pipeline questions still flow

THE state government has made an ultimate power play in handing back $195m in federal funding for the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2.

For months, the federal and state governments have been stuck in a rut over GST allocations and now the final move has been made.

In July, federal MP Phillip Thompson delivered on his election promise to fund the project when Deputy Prime Minister Michael Mccormack signed on the dotted line.

The money was in the State Government’s hands and it was up to them to sign off on the project and get Stage 2 started.

But the stalemate continued with the state government claiming Mr Thompson did not hold up his end of the bargain. Now, none of that matters.

The federal government will no longer be involved in the project and, by default, will not deliver on its promise to fund Stage 2.

Claiming the federal MP was “ripping off” the people of Townsville, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said the state would go it alone.

The state has already paid for, and completed, Stage 1 of the project.

Tipped as the project that will secure North Queensland’s water prospects for the foreseeable future, all three levels of government have just wanted to get on with the job.

With almost 700 jobs on the line, the project is primed to help the region recover from the coronavirus.

The argy-bargy over who is paying what, if the Federal Government is double dipping on funding and the push to get the state government to sign on the dotted line put those jobs in jeopardy.

But even with the state’s decision to fund the project alone, there are still questions to answer.

When will Townsville City Council get started on the project? What other projects will miss out because of the state government’s decision? And, more importantly, what will the federal government do with its extra $195 million earmarked for North Queensland?

everyone had their own team. WEAS, Souths and Estates don’t exist any more. In my day everyone knew the name of their team captain and players. Not anymore. I would not know the captain of Brothers, Townsville local league has lost out big time. RALPH WEST END.

Raising the age to 14 is nonsense. Kids know what’s right from wrong at age 5, we all did. What makes these younsters different? JANE VALE

If a mere suburban pleb like me is aware that stage 2 of the Burdekin Dam allows for a one-off only height extension of up to 14 metres, then I’m damn (pardon the pun) sure Scott Stewart, a govt MP is well aware of same. Yet Mr Stewart is happy to promote a 2 metre height extension, permanently depriving future generations of water for selfish short term political gain.

PEDRO CRANBROOK

Miner, you are missing the point. Code of conduct has nothing to do with being “collegial” or “nice,” it has everything to do with the fact that science involves a cool, impersonal, clinical appraisal of data and evidence. If you’re becoming emotionally invested to the point where you’re slagging off your colleagues, then the very foundations of the discipline are being undermined and thus you have no business being there. Simple as that. THE CREDIBLE HULK MT LOUISA The young women who callously entered QLD after visiting Melbourne and plotted to hide the visit will undoubtedly be prosecuted. One would hope that they are (for a change) made to pay heavily for endangering the health and wellbeing of the community. That penalty should not include a fine automatically referred to SPER which is virtually no punishment at all. Can’t pay? Go directly to jail.

JEFF, CONDON.

When is this Labor State Government going to get the message that we don’t want their ‘Mickey Mouse’ plan to raise Burdekin Dam wall by 2 metres. It has to be 14.5 metres with 600mw hydro with water security for Townsville. AS. 4814.