Flow-on effect in weir plan

WITH a state election coming up there are plenty of people with their hands out for money for big projects all across the state.

Last week, a delegation of Townsville leaders ventured south to the big smoke to push the case for Townsville region projects to the state government.

The projects aren’t just about lifting Townsville out of the economic doldrums brought on by COVID-19, but trying to build North Queensland up after a succession of events that have hammered the economy.

In 2019, it was the floods, before that, the collapse of Queensland Nickel and then the drought.

Townsville has been battling on for many years and deserves a good push.

The positive thing, according to Mayor Jenny Hill, is if North Queensland was funded properly the region could help lift the state out of the economic doldrums.

Not only providing a sugar-hit of funding now, but on projects that will help bolster the economy for years to come.

We have all heard a lot about projects like Copperstring, a powerline that would unlock billions of dollars in mining reserves out west; yesterday it was back to water.

The Big Rocks Weir proposal is a gamechanger and the region is asking the state government to come up with $30m to make it happen.

The Burdekin River weir is estimated to cost $60m; $30m is already promised by the federal government.

Most are labelling the project a winner, not just during construction but after it, setting up the Charters Towers region to become a new North Queensland food bowl.

A few Townsville locals have asked what’s in it for the city?

Lots. A thriving north-western Queensland feeds right into Townsville with exports through our port and jobs in a myriad of different roles.

For Townsville to be a strong, growing city we need the north-west to prosper and the weir is another step in that direction.