Mayor Bob Manning has been left shell shocked by the latest multi-billion dollar water funding announcement for another region while Cairns' water needs continue to be overlooked.
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced the Federal Government will provide $5.4 Billion in water funding for Hells Gate Dam in Townsville.
"It certainly makes the $215 million we are seeking for our water project seem like a drop in the ocean," Cr Manning said.
"Why are we being left high and dry when our water security issue is well known, our solution is well developed and widely supported, and our ask is a fraction of what's been committed elsewhere?
"When you add up the recent State and Federal commitments made for water projects in other regions it comes in at over $8 billion.
"Townsville, MacKay, Rockhampton, and Wide Bay-Burnett – they're all being showered with water funding, but nothing for us."
Cr Manning noted that the Prime Minister was in Cairns yesterday.
"This would have been the perfect opportunity to commit funding to the water security needs of Cairns, but it didn't even warrant a mention," Cr Manning said.
"It is not only the incumbent government, the Federal Labor Opposition have been very quiet on this issue too.
"They need to state publicly whether they will commit funding to this critical project if they want to demonstrate their credentials as the alternative government.
"And the State can't hide on this one either, they've known about the water security issue for years.
"They know our solution is the best one, but rather than commit funds and support our funding request federally, they're asking us to rehash and repeat the work we've already done, effectively sending us down a bureaucratic rabbit hole, when we know that other regions haven't had to follow this 'process' in order to secure State funding.
"Let's not forget we're talking about drinking water here – an essential need, not a discretionary luxury.
Cr Manning reiterated that Council did not begrudge funding for water infrastructure in other regions, but reinforced that Cairns deserved its fair share.
"Council has been elected by the people of Cairns to represent their interests," Cr Manning said. "When we see an inequity on the scale we are seeing here, Council is duty bound to call it out.
"Governments need to get their house in order; we seem to have lost the ability to commit to projects and all we do is kick the can down the road.
"This is the first time I have been so struck by our inability to get support for this project.
"We have spent a lot of time and effort in proving our project is the best solution.
"We are not building a dam; we are not taking water from agriculture; and we have the lowest-cost solution possible.
"But do we get any credit for that – no.
"We've always said we don't begrudge those other regions their investment in water.
"But we make no apology for standing up and fighting for a fair share for our community and we won't stop until we see the money!"
