$45,000 FOR BOHLE MOTOR SPORT CENTRE STUDY and WALLACE WELCOMES CHALCO DECISION TO FOCUS ON BOWEN

Motor sport centre study:

The Bligh Government has provided $45,000 for a study looking at whether it is commercially viable to establish a multi-recreational centre, including a motor sport facility, at Bohle.

Natural Resources and Water Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland Craig Wallace said the Bligh Government and Townsville City Council were sharing the cost of the $90,000 study.

“The Bligh Government recently provided its share of the study’s funding and I hope the study will be completed by the end of the year,” Mr Wallace said.

Mr Wallace also said a separate location on the Bohle plain could be considered for a new cemetery for the Townsville/Thuringowa region.

“I would be happy to speak to Townsville City Council about that possibility since cemeteries in the region are rapidly filling.”

Mr Wallace announced earlier this week that the Bligh Government is planning for Townsville’s long-term housing needs by offering 270 hectares of land at Bohle - aimed squarely at the affordable housing market.

Chalco:

Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland Craig Wallace today said he would be working hard to ensure all North Queensland benefits if Bowen gets the massive $2.2 billion Chalco refinery.

Mr Wallace said he would be working closely with Whitsunday MP Jan Jarratt and Whitsunday Mayor Mike Brunker to ensure supporting infrastructure was provided for the region, including Commonwealth funding for the proposed jetty.

Mr Wallace also said his Department of Natural Resources and Water would work closely with other state agencies on the Water for Bowen project and land tenure issues in Bowen.

“I congratulate Bowen on becoming the preferred site for the Chalco refinery,” Craig Wallace said.

“While I am a little bit disappointed for Townsville I always said that Bowen should get the refinery if we did not,” Mr Wallace said.

Premier Anna Bligh yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Chalco head Xiao Yaqing for a study into the $2.2 billion refinery project.

While Bowen is not a certainty yet it clearly is the preferred site.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.