Fed: PM to fund Qld water pipeline

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2007
Fed: PM to fund Qld water pipeline

BRISBANE, April 24 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard has announced the government will
invest $408 million in Queensland's western corridor recycled water project.

Speaking in Brisbane this afternoon, Mr Howard and Water Minister Malcolm Turnbull
announced half the cost of the project would be met after the Queensland government sought
federal support.

However, the funding is being given on the condition that the state government provide
full financial details within the next 30 days and that the interests of farmers in the
Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, are met.

Mr Howard said although water infrastructure was a state government responsibility,
the federal government would make the payment, which will be the largest under the national
water initiative, to address the "chronic water problems" of the state's southeast.

"I want the project to go ahead. I want it to be a success," Mr Howard said.

He said he had not felt any pressure from the federal opposition, who have said they
will fund half of the cost of the project if they won government at the next election.

The decision followed a cabinet meeting in Brisbane today.

AAP jmm/pjo/ks

KEYWORD: WATER HOWARD

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