Why we welcome big projects

We are already half through the calendar year, but given the intensity of the last six months, it feels as though we should be in October. The year started full of promise and local businesses were showing signs confidence was returning. 

We welcomed the rain in late January, another sign 2019 was off to a good start. In February, the drought-breaking rain turned into floods, damaging 3,300 properties in a week. For many, recovering from the event will be the main theme of their 2019. 

In early March, economic recovery was on everyone’s mind and the community appreciated the outpouring of support received after the floods. Despite the disruption, small businesses were soldering on, focusing on practical issues like the roll out of Single Touch Payroll, inventory, tender opportunities and retaining staff. 

The Federal Budget, delivered in early April, presented a surplus for 2020 and some relief for middle income earners and small businesses. 

The Federal election was called in mid-April for mid-May. The economy was at the centre of each campaign. Tax reform, infrastructure projects, minimum wage, superannuation, trust – defined in financial term or how voters viewed their candidates– were the key issues. 

In early May, proponents for and against the activation of the Galilee Basin grabbed the headlines. In an unprecedented move, the business community of Townsville supported three similar but separate campaigns, calling on governments, particularly the State, to get on with employment projects in general and the Galilee Basin in particular. The Townsville Chamber put its name to all three. There is a tangible sense that businesses are fatigued by years of hard economic conditions.

We cannot stand by and let projects and employment opportunities be delayed ad infinitum. 

Big projects create traction for improvement. The NQ Stadium, now visibly out of the ground, has been the impetus to start tackling complex issues like public transport and city activation. 

The CBD Bus Hub opened in May and Townsville Eats attracted 10,000 people in its first edition in April. 

We talk of retaining our staff, of retaining our young people, of attracting skilled workers and their families. That can only be done by developing the North through big projects. Projects like the Haughton Water Pipeline, Stage 1 and 2; the nine proposed mines in the Galilee Basin; Copper String; Hells Gates, Big Rocks Weir and the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme; upgrades to the Townsville-Mount Isa rail line and the Port Chanel widening. 

Big projects propel the economy forward and make smaller projects possible – DRIVEIT NQ, the lithium-ion plant, and upgrades to Reef HQ, for example. They help increase the number of residents and, with a larger population, there is motivation to improve liveability with things like good public transport, access to high standard education and health services, leisure activities, culture. All this ends up creating more small businesses. 

That’s why we stand for big projects.