Where’s the commitment from Labor?
A lack of commitment from Labor could lead to a net gain of zero for the region if the unthinkable happens and a Shorten Labor Government is elected.This region will miss out unless Labor stumps up and puts some commitments on the table for the people of this region.Labor needs to commit to at least the same funding that the Liberal National Government has committed to.The Coalition has a number of election commitments on the table already.
$8 million in funding flows to water projects
FUNDING is set to flow to create jobs, provide water security and open up vast tracts of agricultural land with Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen welcoming announcements this morning that pre-construction planning work will begin for the Urannah Dam, the raising of the Burdekin Dam Wall, the Burdekin Haughton Channel upgrade, Hell’s Gate Dam and to upgrade water infrastructure for Clermont.Today’s announcement makes all the hard work fighting for local jobs worthwhile.
MP pushes for Urannah Dam funding
THIS morning I met with key proponents for the Urannah Dam which would provide water to underpin growth and development in the Mackay, Whitsunday, Isaac and Burdekin regions to discuss the push for funding for planning and design of the dam.I hope to see funding flow when the successful applicants for the Liberal National government's National Water Infrastructure Development Fund are announced.I have done everything in my power to get the Urannah Dam on the radar of those in Canberra, and I am hopeful we will be able to start work on the project through the $25 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.There’s funding which will be specifically directed to Northern Australia, and the planning and design work for Urannah Dam is in the running for this.
Parliament gets the word on Urannah Dam
THE importance of Urannah Dam to provide future jobs and economic stability was highlighted by new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce on the floor of parliament today.Minister Joyce spoke about the importance of building dams in response to my question on the importance of restoring agriculture as a fundamental pillar of the Australian economy.The importance of securing funding for a feasibility study on the Urannah Dam is vitally important for this region, and I’m doing all in my power to ensure we see that funding flow through.It’s heartening to see that it is getting the attention of leading decision makers in our government.
$5 billion funding bill for the North ready to go
THE draft legislation to enable the flow of $5 billion into projects in Northern Australia has been released and this is a key step in developing jobs and opportunities for the north.The exposure draft legislation for the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) paves the way for the flow of funding into the development of infrastructure, so that this region and other parts of Northern Australia can reach the potential we know is there.The north holds the country’s rich reserves of energy and resources, it has many thousands of hectares of arable land if we get the right water infrastructure, like Urannah Dam, in place, and we have world-class tourist attractions.
Hopes raised on flow of Urannah funds
I WAS pleased to get confirmation today that an application for funding for a Urannah Dam feasibility study has been submitted to the Federal Government’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.The Urannah Dam project has the potential to create thousands of jobs and immediately open up more than 12,000 hectares of agricultural land with the potential for approximately 30,000 hectares in total, but the crucial next step for its consideration was to secure funding for a $5.2 million feasibility study..Expressions of interest for funding had to be lodged by state and territory governments by Thursday last week, and I am happy to confirm that this has taken place.
Never too old to look to the future
MACKAY’S older residents remain engaged with the community and want to have input into the long-term future of the region.I visited Resthaven on Quarry this morning, fulfilling a request sent via my survey for a personal visit to the facility.I was only too happy to pay a visit and discuss issues of the day with a room full of people, including Bill Sneyd, Edna Bradwell and Athol Byers, who remain very engaged with the long-term future of their community.