Time to lock in $150m for Townsville projects

JULY 27, 2018: THE time is right to confirm the reallocation of $150 million in federal funding set aside for the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC) project towards Townsville port dredging and the city’s water security issue.I am very supportive of calls made by LNP candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson to achieve two key priorities for Townsville.The first is a matching commitment of $75 million for the Townsville Channel Capacity Upgrade, or dredging of the port channel.The onus is on the Federal Government to providing this funding because the changes we made to capital dredging disposal (requiring that dredge spoil go on land) has led to huge cost blowouts for operators.The need for this port channel widening is critical so I am joining Phillip Thompson in calling for this to happen as soon as possible.The second priority is to see the remainder of the TEARC funding directed towards resolving Townsville’s water security issue.We need to work with Townsville City Council, Brad Webb’s City Deal Water Security taskforce, the Water for Townsville Action Group and the general community to see how this additional $75 million, and any other funds, can be best utilised to deliver water security for the region.I think the best way is to contribute towards a water pipeline which would replace the open channel from the Clare pump station to the Haughton balancing station.There’s a strong argument for the $150 million in TEARC funding to be redirected, and Treasurer Scott Morrison is on the record stating that these funds would still be used in Townsville.I have written to the Treasurer again today to remind him of this commitment.