Cairns water security funding doesn’t need federal $107.5m reaffirmation, council says
A submission that was set to call on the federal government to honour its $107.5m commitment to Cairns’ water security suddenly disappeared. Find out why
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY: CONCERNS Cairns’ $248m water security project funding was on shaky ground momentarily created further angst when the local government’s submission to reaffirm federal funding was suddenly withdrawn.
Cairns councillors were preparing to vote on a recommendation at Wednesday’s ordinary meeting to make a submission to the Labor Government, requesting that a budget provision for the water project be made in the forward estimates of the updated federal budget.
“While the ALP election commitment of $107.5 million was confirmed in pre-election costings, since that time cost of living and inflationary pressures have generated unforeseen demands on the budget, increasing the need for scrutiny of discretionary budget items,” the council report read.
“It is therefore important to reconfirm Council’s call for funding and to formally request Federal Labor’s election commitment be specifically included in the updated 2022/23 federal budget.”
However, at Wednesday’s meeting, Deputy Mayor Terry James who chaired the meeting Mayor Bob Manning’s absence declared clause 5 – federal budget Submission – had been removed from the agenda.
CRC chief executive Mica Martin said the council decided the submission was no longer needed based on its communication with the government.
“After reflection, it was determined surplus to what was required given the consistent and productive engagement with the relevant government stakeholders.
“All levels of government are supportive of our position and need for funding for this project.”
TUESDAY: CAIRNS Regional Council will call on the newly-elected federal government to honour its pre-election promise of $107.5m for its water security project.
It was the only major Far North project to receive a special mention in Labor’s national election pledge costings, with $600m worth of promises for the electorate of Leichhardt.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has flagged cuts to federal spending when Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down his first budget on October 25.
He has said the budget would “really put the brakes on” with budget deficits forecast to reach $261.4b by 2025.
Funding for council’s $248m water security project, which it says is critical if the city is not to run out of water by 2026, has proven vexing.
The project missed out in the Morrison government’s federal budget in March but an LNP campaign trail promise was made to stump up $107.5m in April.
Then Mr Albanese, on a visit to Cairns a few days later, said Labor would match the funding.
“Cairns’ water supply was directed when there was 40,000 people here,” he said at the time.
“There’s a lot more now and there needs to be a strategy going forward and Cairns can’t be running out of water.”
The state government budget in June included $107.5m for the project.
Cairns Regional Council is jittery ahead of the October budget, and will vote on making a fresh submission calling on the government to honour the funds pledged in the election costings document at its meeting on Wednesday.
“While the ALP election commitment of $107.5 million was confirmed in pre-election costings, since that time cost of living and inflationary pressures have generated unforeseen demands on the budget, increasing the need for scrutiny of discretionary budget items,” the council report states.
“It is therefore important to reconfirm council’s call for funding and to formally request federal Labor’s election commitment be specifically included in the updated 2022-23 federal budget.”
The council is not the only organisation worried ahead of the October budget, with Advance Cairns and Tropical Tourism North Queensland (TTNQ) both lobbying for promises to be honoured.
Labor promised $150m to help transform Cairns port through a new multi-user marine maintenance facility, with the state government kicking in the same amount.
TTNQ is seeking $15m promised for it to rebuild international markets.
More Coverage
Originally published as Cairns water security funding doesn’t need federal $107.5m reaffirmation, council says
Alleged drunk driver charged over multi-car cane train incident
A minor traffic bingle involving an alleged drunk driver had serious consequences on Wednesday after a car was hit by a cane train and another vehicle ended up in a ditch.
Construction paralysed: 77k homes, Olympic venues at risk
Productivity in Queensland’s construction industry has plummeted while the cost of projects will surge unless there are major reforms, a damning new report reveals.