Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter questioned the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development in Parliament about the scheduled Pentland Project study, due in December 2013 that has still not been released.

Mr Katter, the lead advocate for the project, was tenacious in his fight to secure funding for the project. The funding for the project was secured from the then ALP Government in April 2013.

“Minister, when does the Government intend to release the Pentland Irrigation Base-load power station study – promised for release by the previous government in December last year?” Mr Katter asked the Acting Prime Minister.

After a six month delay on releasing the report and decades of reports Mr Katter believes now is the time for action.

“How much they’ve (the reports) cost and what action has resulted from these myriad reports, whether White Papers, Green Papers, Scoping Papers or Toilet Papers?” Mr Katter asked.

“Since some investors have already lost interest in a report that is now long overdue could he consider how many reports over the last 10 years have been undertaken on Northern Development and water” Mr Katter asked the Acting Prime Minister.

“Some interested parties have already walked away due to the Government’s so called interest in North Queensland," Mr Katter said.

“Mackay Sugar have been interested in the project to date, it would be a shame for them to walk away now since there are no other big players. The NSW Sugar Mills are the only Australian player left, if Mackay Sugar pulls out,” Mr Katter said.

The Pentland Project will create 2500 jobs and will provide for the greater Townsville region not only unlimited water supply, but an increase in cheaper energy supply.

“In any event I think that this report will bring close to $100 Million.

"There has been money spent on reports for the development in the Burdekin and Flinders related river systems. Over some 30 years they have not put a single shovel load of concrete across a gully, let alone building a weir or dam,” Mr Katter said.

After a six month delay on the announced release and loss of momentum Mr Katter said, “We should be moving forward with great aggression”.

While Mr Katter is pleased that the Acting Prime Minister will announced the release of the report in Townsville on Tuesday June 10, he was disappointed he has not been invited to the launch, as the major long-term advocate for the project.