By Melissa Coleman
Jim Chalmers handed down the federal budget on Tuesday night rendering a hefty blow to the future of critical infrastructure.
Mega projects throughout regional Queensland including the Emu Swamp Dam and pipeline have been put on hold, in limbo, for an indeterminate sentence.
However, the federal government confirmed it would honour existing City and Regional Deal commitments valued at $668 million for projects across South East Queensland.
Stanthorpe Today reporter Melissa Coleman took to the streets and asked locals what they thought of the news that Emu Swamp Dam had been put on hold again and how they feel about the Federal Government’s use of funds.
Bruce Sweeney
It’s another broken promise by this government.
They’re looking after the only people that keep them in power, the people in the cities.
The people who vote for these foolish politicians obviously don’t know where there food comes from.
The electoral commission should look at redefining their electoral boundaries, so people in the bush have more say.
Chris Sweeney
We really need the Dam.
In the drought people suffered. Water was carted from Warwick to Stanthorpe, water bottles were donated from the cities and a cost of freight and distribution was incurred.
Warren Talbot
It’s not a good outcome for the farmers but it doesn’t affect me.
They should realise that we need water, if we run out of it, we’ll be in trouble.
John Talbot
It just goes to show that the nation isn’t in a good way financially.
Marissa Clark
My property is slated as rural and residential so when the rates rise, I cope it from both sides.
It’s a double whammy.
My question is, will they drop the next lot of rates increase because Emu Swamp Dam has been dropped.
It’s all about profit and greed.
Steve (refused photograph opportunity)
I’m not a big supporter of the Emu Swamp Dam project, rather I think there could have been a lot more work done on Storm King Dam.
I’m not a civil engineer so I can’t have too much of an opinion but I do wonder who would really benefit from it.
I question the ongoing benefits for the community.
