Mayor looks to Premier for project support
Date published: 30 September 2016
Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill will use a visit by Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk and her cabinet next week to again highlight the city’s need for immediate investment in key growth and infrastructure projects.
Cr Hill said the meeting of full cabinet in the city was prime opportunity for city leaders and the community to voice their concerns and ideas for the future of Townsville.
Council has secured two formal meetings with the Premier and cabinet and will put forward a list of priority issues in a bid to highlight some of the region’s top priorities in need of funding.
The list includes five priority deputations aimed at reducing the city’s unemployment rate and boosting economic growth as well as addressing key social issues affecting residents.
It includes a call for support for the Galilee Basin project through infrastructure including rail links to eastern ports and the need to address rising energy costs throughout North Queensland as a barrier to business growth and investor attraction.
Also on the agenda is a lack of trunk main infrastructure as a barrier to growth of the declared State Development Area to the south of the city.
“Townsville is facing significant issues affecting confidence in our region. It’s important to take every opportunity to keep Townsville top of mind in Brisbane,” Cr Hill said.
“I will also be keen to open discussion surrounding how the State can take responsibility for community and social issues affecting Townsville including the issues behind anti-social behaviour and public drunkenness in our CBD.
“Our population has grown exponentially in recent years and we have provided consistent economic returns to the State over a number of years. It’s time for the State to return that faith.
“We have some good news on the horizon with the commencement of some major projects imminent but I will take every opportunity to discuss Townsville’s future with Premier Palaszczuk.”
Council will have a further opportunity to provide additional issues direct to relevant State ministers during the week.
