Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick has slammed the Morrison Federal Government for further delaying funding for the South Rockhampton Flood Levee despite a feasibility study and business case for the project already being completed.
Mr Dick said the Palaszczuk Government had been left scratching its head why the Morrison Federal Government is failing to act on this critical project, adding that only a concrete funding commitment would guarantee this project for Rockhampton.
"Once again we’ve got more talk and no real action from the Morrison Government, which frankly seems like it needs a map to find where the city of Rockhampton is," he said.
"The Palaszczuk Government committed $25 million to fund the proposed $60 million South Rockhampton Flood Levee in the 2017-18 Budget, and now we find the Morrison Government is raising another barrier to this project proceeding.
"The Palaszczuk Government backs this project 100 per cent. We put our money on the table more than a year ago.
"Right now, the people of Rockhampton must be wondering what they have to do to get support from the Morrison Government for this vital project.
"Their funding commitment seems to be all smoke and mirrors – they simply need to get on the with the job of building this flood levee.
"Rockhampton Regional Council have also committed $10 million. Both local and state governments have put a strong case to the Federal Government, but the Federal Coalition is more concerned about internal leadership issues – within both the Liberal and National parties – than delivering for Queensland.
"What more does the Morrison Government need than the completed feasibility study and the existing business case?"
"The Palaszczuk Government refuses to leave Rockhampton in the lurch, and we will continue fighting for the community until this levee is delivered."
Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the South Rockhampton Flood Levee was vital infrastructure for a community still recovering from the flooding of 2017, and that a solid commitment from Canberra was paramount to work getting underway.
"Rockhamptonhas a long history of flooding, with the Fitzroy River inundating our region in 1991, 2011, 2013, and again last year as a result of Cyclone Debbie," Mr O’Rourke said.
"These floods devastated Rocky, and on each occasion had significant impacts not only on local residents but also the local, state and national economies.
"The proposed South Rockhampton Flood Levee has been identified as the most cost-effective option to mitigate the effects of flooding in Rockhampton, which is why we continue to call for a concrete funding commitment from Canberra."
Mr Dick said: "I am calling on Scott Morrison to stop dithering over paperwork and commit his government to funding its fair share of the South Rockhampton Flood Levee.
"Projects like this will create jobs and are crucial for making communities safer."
The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning will work closely with Rockhampton Regional Council to ensure any approvals for the flood levee are progressed as quickly as possible.
