TALK OF THE TOWN AT ROSS DAM
DIVISION 4 IS SEEN AS AN AREA OF MASSIVE POTENTIAL. DEVELOPERS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY INVESTING IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN RECENT YEARS AND AN INCREASE IN SUCH INTEREST IN ESTABLISHED URBAN AREAS IS HOPED TO FURTHER CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE AREA.
SAM BIDEY VISITED THE DIVISION TO DISCUSS WITH LOCALS THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEM MOST.
FISHERMEN and water sports enthusiasts believe the Ross Dam is an untapped resource that could provide a boost to the economy if opened for recreational activities.
Rhyce Bullimore is on a mission to see Townsville’s water supply become a soughtafter fishery and has already dropped about 25,000 barramundi fingerlings into the Ross Dam.
Mr Bullimore, the president of the Townsville Barramundi Restocking Group, recently received his second grant from Townsville City Council and intends to introduce about 30,000 more barra into the dam in coming months.
His goal is to see the dam become a popular fishery with the potential to host fishing tournaments and attract both competitive and recreational anglers to Townsville.
“I have travelled all over Queensland to fish dams and we have one right here that we are not using,” Mr Bullimore said.
“To me council must be taking the idea seriously because they wouldn’t be throwing grant money into something that’s not going to come to fruition.”
Cr Mark Molachino has supported the concept since he first ran for local government in 2016. Cr Molachino said he would like to see the dam open for fishing and water sports as early as next year.
“I think there could be great economic uplift for the Upper Ross and Townsville as a whole by tapping into this resource,” Cr Molachino said.
“I’d like to see the Ross Dam become a destination … for mums, dads and kids, anglers as well as forms of recreational boating like water sports, sailing, kayaking, all sorts of stuff.”
The Townsville Water Ski Club has had an agreement with the council for years that has seen them be able to use the dam, and president Kurt Neiberding said it could be a good thing for the community if other groups were granted access.
“We live in the tropics, so it would be good and I think welcomed,” Mr Neiberding said.
“It’d be up to council to decide and I think a lot of money would need to be spent on infrastructure.”
Cr Molachino agreed cash would need to be spent with sufficient public bathroom facilities a must, but said the main issue to date was fears of water contamination.
“Where we are at now is considering what is a safe level of activity on our primary water source,” he said.
“A report has been done already which recommends a controlled introduction if we did go through with it.
“We certainly wouldn’t just be opening the flood gates.”
TOMORROW: Division 5 including Kirwan, Cranbrook, Mount Louisa, Thuringowa Central.