Article – Dam big approach in Green Paper list

11 June 2014
David Wood
Northern Territory News
THE Federal Government has asked the CSIRO to find places to build dams in northern Australia but the Territory Government will not say if it supports rivers being dammed.
In Townsville yesterday, Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss released the Green Paper on Developing Northern Australia.
Mr Truss said the Government wanted to develop a food bowl, including premium produce, which could help to double Australia’s agricultural output.
They also aim to build an energy export industry worth $150 billion to the economy, focused on clean and efficient energy and major increases to resource exports.
And they aim to grow the tourist economy in Northern Australia to two million international tourists a year.
Chief Minister Adam Giles said it was positive the Green Paper acknowledged access to water would be crucial for agricultural companies.
“The paper lays a platform for further discussion and action on welfare reform and migration policy, as well as consideration of Special Economic Zones,” he said.
Former NT Chief Minister Shane Stone will head the Northern Australia Advisory Group, which also includes Wayne Bergmann, Jack Burton, Dr Ken Chapman, Professor Sandra Harding, Noeline Ikin, David Menzel, Nicholas Paspaley AC, Trent Twomey, Ken Warriner AM and Djawa Yunupingu. Submissions can be until August 8. For a copy of the Green Paper visit northern australia.dpmc.gov.au
Courtesy of Northern Territory News