Looking at dam proposal through lens of drier times
THE recent promise of $5.4bn to construct the Hells Gates Dam needs to be scrutinised in the light of a poor wet season here in the North.
Far better value for money could be achieved by spreading this oncein-a-generation promise over several water infrastructure and flood mitigation projects.
Firstly, as has already been pointed out by other concerned voters, the raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam offers to capture the water from the upper Burdekin at far less expense.
The saddle dams, land resumptions, road access, and construction camp already exist for a modest raising (not for the full 14m as some think).
A full raising may cause environmental issues in the lower Burdekin.
A modest hydro station could be installed and with the extra dam capacity, a big expansion of agricultural developments all the way to Bowen could happen.
Townsville’s water security needs to be addressed urgently.
Several groups, starting with Brad Webb’s water task force and
WFTAG, have let Townsville down by adopting the cheapest possible supply solution.
The water task force should have created a shortlist from the many submissions rather than pick the cheapest option to run a plastic pipe.
Instead of an 80-year solution, the 800-year solution would provide large volumes of water 24/7 for 365 days a year.
Food and fibre production close to Townsville and its port would give this city paddock to plate enterprises that could minimise supply issues that have plagued us recently as well as also creating valuable export potential.
WFTAG failed to research the economic benefit of the more expensive solution that could make Townsville one of the great cities in the southern hemisphere.
This anti-dam group has let us down and if they had existed when the Burdekin Falls Dam was
constructed, they would have probably opposed it.
The expensive operation costs of the plastic pipe were supposed to be covered by the word renewables but not costed.
The current proposal for stage 2 of the new pipeline could be extended to stage 3 to the base of the dam and fulfil our desperate need for a complete water security solution.
The current pipeline solutions are poorly terminated short of the Ross River Dam, which results in considerable wastage of water before it is treated.
A treatment plant should be built where the pipeline ends and, in fact, a grant was given to the council years ago but spent elsewhere.
With the Ross River Dam rapidly running out of water, the $10m spent by the council to get us all growing our gardens looks like turning to dust.
The Ross River Dam needs to be
kept at a lower level during wet seasons to avoid the situation that occurred during the 2019 event.
Anyone who thinks that the 2019 event was a one in 500-year event needs to look at the recent flooding down south.
The flood heights in Lismore were higher than any flood in history and the water rose faster than anyone expected.
Even with the expenditure I have outlined above there would still be money left over to look at flood mitigation in the lower Burdekin and the Herbert Valley.
Recent studies have indicated that the lower Burdekin could change course in a major flood and that this needs addressing.
Major flooding in the Ingham area has become a more frequent occurrence with no party interested in addressing it.
I have much admiration for Bradfield’s achievements and his proposal for an irrigation scheme and in a modified form it has potential.
I can’t understand why successive governments have not found some way to involve the big superannuation funds in providing investment in such a project.
The government would have to guarantee an acceptable return on the investment and this would involve a user-pays system for Bob Katter’s mates on the upper Burdekin.
With a bit more vision, this oncein-a-generation spend could offer North Queensland far more bang for our taxes by spreading it from Bowen to Ingham.
ALLAN FRANKLIN, Mount Louisa
MEDICARE NEEDS TO DO BETTER
JANIS Blackman (TB 08/04), thank you for responding to my letter and sharing your positive experience with Medicare in a time of great need; a wonderful outcome for you and your family.
The Medicare system is definitely complex but also unfortunately increasingly not fair for all.
Recent figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) annual report state that more than $7bn was spent on out-of-hospital care and medications provided under the PBS, and that more than a million Australians spend in excess of $1000 each year on this.
Another report published in March this year by the Grattan Institute states that “The impact on the most vulnerable (has) risen by an average of 50 per cent in real terms over the past decade”.
This report highlights how people miss appointments and do not purchase prescriptions due to concerns over costs.
It also “argues that the country relies too much on out-of-pocket payments”.
Experts in this area reveal out-ofpocket healthcare costs account for 17 per cent of Australia’s total outlay – one of the highest rates in the OECD.
Australia ranks poorly compared with other high-income countries in areas such as people who skip medications and appointments because of cost.
The good news is that there are many committed professionals and advocacy groups who are working hard at presenting solutions, but the truth is, Medicare as a universal insurer is failing many Australians. As a country we need to, and can do, Medicare better.
NANETTE RADECK, Alice River
HOTEL DOUBTS
I HAVE my doubts that the new planned Hilton hotel within the stadium precinct in the city will be a successful move if the proper infrastructure around it is not improved.
In my view, a complete revamp of the Civic Theatre makes much more sense than a small concert hall, favoured by this current council.
The whole of Townsville uses the current theatre venue for plays, musicals, eisteddfods and events and is in proximity to the Hilton for families and people from the regions to stay and enjoy the city.
Coming into election time, it would be great to see the TPAC project, (Townsville Performing
Arts Centre) get funding federally.
Establishing free public transport from the TPAC and stadium precinct, is also essential to allow access to all that the city offers, including the Magnetic Island terminal and The Strand.
A large multistorey carpark, on land where the planned concert hall, can also be funded federally, for all of the Townsville suburban community to enjoy events close to the city. Come on, who wants to win over the people of Townsville? PAUL JACOB,
Bluewater