| |
The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley has hit out at the State and Federal Governments over their lack of movement on Ord Stage II.
Shire President Michele Pucci said the $2.9 million allocation in the recent State Budget to progress expansion of the Ord Irrigation Area has done nothing to engender confidence in the East Kimberley region that the Government is serious about this project.
She said: "It is now urgent that the State Government not only talk the talk about this critical project for the region, but walk the walk as well.
"People in the region and the private sector that State Government seeks to engage with to expand the Ord Irrigation Area by 16,000 hectares (as advertised in its 'expression of interest' process) need to see the colour of the Government's money."
"The private sector had responded to the State's call for expression of interest process and now need clarity from the State about what is planned and what is going on."
"With climate change forecast predicting less rain in southern Australia, and the headwork investments taxpayers have already made in the past in key infrastructure like Lake Argyle, it is time governments provided leadership and got on with the expansion of the Ord Irrigation Area in the nation's interest," "With all we know now about climate change and food demand trends in the world, it is ridiculous that any government should dilly dally around with the Ord project when it is development ready, with 30 years of scientific work and most of the headworks done.
Cr Pucci said that council and the region were expecting the State and Federal Governments to put political differences aside and get on with nation building through this project.
"It is all very well for State and Federal politicians to wax lyrical about their visions for northern Australia, and to create a better future for the country and the high population of disadvantaged indigenous people in the region, but that rhetoric is not backed up in budget announcements.
"Delivering the Ord project is a catalytic expansion of the economic base in the East Kimberley that is so necessary to generate opportunities for the young indigenous population.
"The lack of tangible leadership and budget allocation by both State and Commonwealth for this project remains a gapping black hole, at time when both governments are flush with budget surpluses."
|
|