Katter pushes for public debate of Revised Bradfield Scheme
FEDERAL MP Bob Katter is challenging Townsville Enterprise and the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation to a public meeting to debate the merits of “their version” of Hells Gates Dam against the Katterbacked Revised Bradfield Scheme.
Meanwhile, Townsville Enterprise has already said it supports initiatives to broaden the scheme, for which it is now managing studies on behalf of the federal government. Mr Katter ( pictured) said TEL and SMEC were continuing to advocate for a watered-down version of a pro
ject that “destroys the Bradfield dream for forever”. He said he wanted a dam wall built over 400m high and for water to be diverted by a 120km-long irrigation channel to the black soil plains southwest of Charters Towers. Mr Katter said the Revised Bradfield Scheme had the backing of some of Australia’s greatest minds, including Sir Leo Hielscher. r. “Bradfield is not an agricul- tural undertaking, it is indus- trial, producing clean petrol (ethanol), zero-emissions electricity (enough base-load power for North Queensland), ), the biggest producer of stock k feed in Australia, the two biggest meatworks in Australia, it will guarantee the Townsville meatworks stays open, and it will guarantee Townsville’s water supply for forever – seeing the city’s population gr grow beyond 500,000,” Mr K Katter said
Earlier this year, Townsvi ville Enterprise chair Kevin Gill said the organisation had heard Mr Katter’s concerns an and supported broadening the Hells Gates Dam scheme.
“It’s important the public understand we share the same vision Bob has for this project and it’s why Townsville Enterprise has been and continues to be a key driver of this project,” Mr Gill said.
“We support initiatives to broaden the scheme, such as considerations towards the modified Bradfield Scheme.”
The federal government has committed $54m towards phase one of the dam project, including $30m for the Big Rocks Weir at Charters Towers and $24m for detailed studies into the Hells Gates Dam being managed by Townsville Enterprise.