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Federal Member for Kalgoorlie Barry Haase says that so long as he has any say, there will be no Federal funding for a Kimberley-Perth canal project. Mr Haase said the proposed project, to transport water from the Fitzroy River to Perth via a covered canal, was ridiculous. "There is no reason for the Federal Government to get involved," Mr Haase said. "The project is not a viable proposition-a previous survey proved it would be an $11 billion investment. "To pump water any further than 400 kilometres is extremely expensive; it costs $4.50 per kilolitre to deliver water to Kalgoorlie from Perth, and the taxpayers end up paying for it. |
"Pumping water 3700 kilometres is out of the question. "It would be much cheaper to desalinate in Perth. "Why does the premier want to waste WA taxpayer's money propping up multi-million dollar company Tenix? "How can he possibly think he can play the role of Father Christmas by pulling the wool over the eyes of the Perth people? "Does this mean there is a State election in the air?" It was reported that Premier Geoff Gallop was disappointed that Prime Minister John Howard had not replied to his request for support. |
"As member for Kalgoorlie, if the Prime Minister asked me, I would tell him not to touch the project with a barge pole, let 'Teflon Geoff' fund his own stupidity," Mr Haase said. "How dare the Premier believe he can get away with stealing water from the Kimberley people." "My good mate Ernie Bridge got real support from people when he showed them the map and explained how the water would run downhill." |