Candidate worried by delays

LABOR’S federal Herbert candidate is concerned that the promised Townsville City Deal funding would strike more delays.

Candidate John Ring said the pledge of $100m for the concert hall was only a promise, with the results of a $2m business case required before the money was released.

Mr Ring (inset) said he was supportive of all the projects announced, but was concerned about how long funding could take to be released. “I’d definitely be happy with a new concert hall in Townsville … the Civic Theatre has needed upgrading or replacing for some time,” he said. “(But) this is not new money. This is money that has been held onto by the federal government for years.”

Mr Ring said he also thought more than $12m in funding should be invested in Lansdown. “If there are any delays in this area … large international companies may go elsewhere,” he said.

Mr Ring said it could put thousands of jobs – which would be on offer in years to come – at risk.