Thumbs up for Taskforce Progress in pipeline

TOWNSVILLE residents are “quietly confident” their water concerns have been addressed but there’s still work to do, says acting mayor Les Walker.

It comes less than a month after the Water Taskforce released its interim report revealing a duplication of the Haughton pipeline would be the most efficient and inexpensive option to secure water for Townsville.

Townsville City Council and the State Government are working through water demand management options, with announcements to be made in coming weeks.

Cr Walker said Townsville always looked for growth and water security.

“I think people have been given answers to a lot of questions that they’ve been asking for some time,” he said. “Do they ( residents) want it quicker? Well sure, and we will work as fast as possible so we can get the best possible outcome.”

Cr Walker said it was important that the city tried to avoid Level 4 water restrictions.

“If it rains, it doesn’t change anything,” he said. “It could rain here for the next 40 days and 40 nights but we’re still building a pipeline. We’re all on the same song sheet when it comes to that.

“We work closely through the City Deals as part of that process to ensure the State and Federal governments are aware of the region’s needs.”

Cr Walker said there were ways to better design landscapes in the city.

“I love the lifestyle that we have and we want to maintain that and improve it as we move along,” he said.

Taskforce chairman Brad Webb said the community was supportive.

“We need to get our final design done so we can give the public a really good explanation of how the pipe will work,” he said.

“I’m having more discussions next week on how this can move forward.

“We are waiting on a final summary of all the reports which should be out in October by GHD.”

Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said the funding commitment announcement by both the State Government and the Liberal National Party had given the community confidence.

“People are aware that there is a plan and hopefully we can now execute it,” she said.