Call for more funds for Hells Gates Dam

OCTOBER 17, 2018: I AM joining with LNP Candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson to seek further funding for the Hells Gates Dam Project on the Upper Burdekin River near Townsville.This $5.35 billion irrigated agricultural and power project could transform the north, creating up to 10,000 jobs during construction, and another 4000 ongoing direct and indirect jobs.The Liberal National Government provided $2.2 million for a study of the potential benefits of the Hells Gates Dam Project and that report is now in.It’s a transformational project for the north on a number of fronts, and the next step for Hells Gates to become a reality is the need for a full business case and environmental impact study (EIS).We still have $75 million in funding set aside for North Queensland due to the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC) not going ahead.“LNP Candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson and I are writing to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ask that this be directed to Townsville Enterprise Limited for further work on the Hells Gates Dam Project.$25 million is what is required to undertake the detailed Business Case and full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).The remaining $50 million could cover the construction of Big Rocks Weir, which is strongly supported as a first stage of the proposed Hells Gate Dam.”Mr Thompson said he had been speaking with local business owners and people throughout the Townsville community and found there was great support for the Hells Gates Dam Project.“We have committed $75 million dollars to the Townsville Port Widening Project with work starting this month,” Mr Thompson said.“Our port will be put to good use with the development of Hells Gates Dam.“The staged infrastructure development will support 50,000 ha of irrigated horticulture which will see us exporting our fruit and vegetables all around the world.“This is a nation building project that I as the LNP candidate for Herbert support.”