MP mum on budget details Hopes for roads, grid projects

THE “toughest budget” since e World War II has already delivered more than $80m for Townsville, but Federal Herbert MP Phillip Thompson is keeping mum on further funding for the region.

However, speculation is rife extra funding for CopperString 2.0 will be part of the federal budget announced on Tuesday.

On Monday the government revealed it would invest $76m in building Riverway Drive Stage 2 and $20m in a study to identify priority sections of the Bruce Highway between Curra and Cairns as part of the state LNP party’s plan to duplicate the road.

The proponents behind the multi-million-dollar CopperString project Custring need $11m from the federal government to bring its funding in line with the state government’s contribution.

This investment is expected to bring in the extra private funding needed to get the project construction-ready.

It is estimated the project, w which will connect the North W West Minerals Province to the national power grid, will cost $1.5bn.

The proponents are also waiting for due diligence approvals as part of a Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan, which is expected to b be about $1bn.

Custring director Joseph O’brien said the company had been working closely with the federal government.

“Given the strategic and economic significance of the Townsville to North West Minerals Province industrial manufacturing ecosystem, we are very hopeful of continued financial support in the budget to see Copperstring fully funded to FID (final investment decision) and construction commencement in mid2021,” Mr O’brien said.

Mr Thompson (pictured) refused to reveal if any more North Queensland projects would be funded in the budget.

He said the pre-budget Bruce Highway announcements were about improving road safety and the federal government had plans to work with the state LNP.

“This $20m … is looking at doubling the Bruce Highway from down south all the way to Cairns,” he said.

The Riverway Drive Stage 2 project will upgrade the 3.1km section between Allambie Lane and Dunlop Street.

“This budget is going to be all about creating jobs and keeping people in jobs. This project alone will support an estimated 280 jobs,” Mr T Thompson said.

State LNP candidate Natalie Marr said she had spoken to many residents in the area about the importance of the project.

“I’m looking forward to working with Phil to ensure that disruption to the residents is at a minimum while we do this great task ahead of us,” Ms Marr said.

State Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper was excited to find the road funding was part of the federal budget.

Last month, the state government pledged $19m to the project, but needed more funding to make sure the project was done correctly.

“It is almost double stage one for a reason,” Mr Harper said. “Ninety six million dollars in total is because of a 1.2m water pipeline that carries 70 per cent of Townsville’s water from the Ross Dam, underneath Riverway Drive and down to the Douglas Water Treatment Plant.

“The pipeline is in the order of about $40m to replace and then we can get on with the duplication.”