Australian Infrastructure Plan released – Weirs in the pipeline!
Posted on February 17th, 2016
Following yesterday’s visit by Prime Minister the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Barnaby Joyce, today’s release by the Federal government of their fifteen year (15) “Australian Infrastructure Plan”, reveals we are a step closer to the development of Eden Bann and Rookwood Weirs on the Fitzroy River.
In the plan, ninety-three (93) Infrastructure Priority Initiatives are listed across the nation with twelve (12) listed for Queensland.
Of those twelve projects, the Lower Fitzroy River water infrastructure development is listed as an opportunity to develop industry and agriculture in the Fitzroy region. This is the ONLY Queensland project listed as “Growth Opportunities” and the ONLY project in this category for the whole of Northern Australia.
Chairman of Capricorn Enterprise Graham Scott said “following this week’s announcement of Senator Matt Canavan as the Minister for Northern Australia, this is certainly an early win for our collective efforts in the Northern Australia Alliance.”
“From his time as Federal Minister for Water, when the funding was approved for the water pipeline to Yeppoon, the Prime Minister really does understand the complexities surrounding water infrastructure and the downstream benefits to the broader economy” he said.
At the request of Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry MP, a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister on this most important Priority Project was provided yesterday by Capricorn Enterprise Chairman Graham Scott, Chairman of “Growing Central Qld” Professor Scott Bowman (and Board member of Capricorn Enterprise) and Project Officer Ann Stunzner. This project is also supported by Regional Development Australia Fitzroy Central West (RDAFCW) and the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC).
Capricorn Enterprise chief executive Mary Carroll said “the Fitzroy Agricultural Precinct as part of “Growing Central Queensland” has been one of our Priority Projects for the region and thanks to the collective and relentless efforts of our politicians and industry advocates; the message has been heard loud and clear by the Prime Minister and his government.”
Capricorn Enterprise listed the development of the Eden Bann and Rookwood Weirs on the Fitzroy River as the number one Priority Project for Central Queensland in a joint submission last year with Northern Australia Alliance partners (Advance Cairns, Capricorn Enterprise, Townsville Enterprise, Broome Future Ltd, Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karratha & Districts Chamber of Commerce & Industry).
