Townsville City Deal Funding in Cloud of Uncertainty
Uncertainty surrounds the future of $126M of federal funding for Townsville ahead of the Albanese Labor Government’s budget next week, with no sign of this year’s annual progress report for the Townsville City Deal.
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said while $69M of an original $195M pool of funding had been allocated to projects already underway, he had serious concerns the remainder of the money would be clawed back by the Labor Government.
Mr Thompson had successfully negotiated for money that had been allocated for Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline, but was rejected by the State Labor Government, to remain available for projects in Townsville. The previous Coalition Government had quarantined the funds in its subsequent budgets.
“We’ve been clear from the start that this City Deal money must remain in Townsville but this week Labor has been looking like it plans to steal funding from projects in the North to pay for things like public transport in the South,” Mr Thompson said.
“Meanwhile we have no sign of an annual progress report for 2022 on the City Deal which means the three Labor-controlled levels of government aren’t being transparent and letting the community know where the funding is going.
“There are only three months left of the year. What are they hiding?
“Next week’s budget must include the continued quarantining of funding for the Townsville City Deal, and we must see an annual progress report.”
Of the original $195M available, $40M was allocated to a refurbishment of Reef HQ Aquarium, $2M for a business case for a concert hall and entertainment precinct with a potential for a further $98M for its construction, $15M for a new Royal Flying Doctor Service Aeromedical Super Hub and $12M for the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, last year.
Reporting requirements of the original Townsville City Deal agreement negotiated between Deal partners requires a report on the Deal’s progress to be released publicly on an annual basis.
On Monday The Australian reported the $5.4B Hells Gates Dam project was under review and unlikely to be included in next week’s budget.
ENDS