Townsville Enterprise has backed a vital Charters Towers water project calling for State Government support to see it delivered.
The $90 million Big Rocks Weir project is a vital lifeline for the future of North Queensland and Townsville Enterprise supports the Charters Towers Regional Council’s decision to transfer ownership to the State Government.
Townsville Enterprise, CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith underscored, the significance of the project for North Queensland and urged the State Government to ensure the project is delivered.
“This remains a vital project for North Queensland promising to create more than 170 new jobs and an additional $35 million in agricultural production annually. This includes Improved water security for the Charters Towers community as well as more on-farm employment, food processing and handling services to supply domestic and export markets,” Ms. Brumme-Smith said.
"The State Government has assured us that they will continue to advance the project, which is great news for Charters Towers and the broader North Queensland region.
“We hope that the project moves toward construction as quickly as possible to ensure the benefits flow.”
Big Rocks Weir is a proposed 10,000 megalitre weir on the Burdekin River, about 26kms north of Charters Towers, designed to meet the future needs of the local community and the region’s agriculture.
Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Liz Schmidt said,
“Going forward, with the aim being the delivery of this project to our region, we as a Council strongly believe that this will be in the best interests of the project and the community,” Ms. Schmidt said.
“Council continues to work with the State Government and support the project moving onward to ensure the community’s needs remain at the forefront.
“Council is hopeful that the project keeps moving forward and is achieved within a reasonable timeframe.”
