General News
21 August, 2024
Powerlink urged to pave the way for permanent youth camp in Richmond
A youth camp could be a legacy project created from the CopperString rollout.
Mount Isa Good Shepherd Parish and Richmond Shire Council have commenced discussions with Powerlink to construct a permanent youth camp site at Lake Fred Tritton as part of the town’s CopperString legacy infrastructure negotiations.
Father Mick Lowcock told North West Weekly that decommissioned facilities at the planned CopperString work camp at Richmond could eventually be donated by Powerlink to enable a future youth camp site to operate on land owned by the Catholic Church on the banks of the lake.
He said North West children currently travelled to Townsville for youth camps and parents and teachers had long discussed the need for a site in the North West.
Fr Lowcock said he believed the 20002m land area could eventually become a gathering space for children from Townsville as well as the North West and the Gulf.
“Some of the schools are now flying across to Townsville for camps, which is pretty costly. Or else it is a night on the bus to Townsville,” he said.
“Someone suggested the Richmond lake, where there is some Church land. The lake is a good spot because there are a lot of activities that could be set up for the children around the lake.”
Fr Lowcock said a school camp site could also provide future local employment for positions such as activity coordinators, admin staff, cleaners and caterers.
Richmond Mayor John Wharton the lake would be an ideal position for a youth camp.
“We could probably put 20 or 25 rooms on that land at the lake, which would allow a busload of kids to come out for a few days,” he said.
“The kids could go fossicking or swimming or fishing or do some sporting activities by the lake – it’s a great spot.”
As previously reported by North West Weekly, the Coordinator General’s Office in May released a report that said it expected Powerlink to work with local communities to ensure the CopperString project left a beneficial economic legacy.
The Flinders, Richmond and McKinlay councils are currently in discussions with Powerlink over their desired legacy projects, which range from housing construction to industrial estate expansion, airport upgrades and Indigenous cultural projects.
Cr Wharton said the CopperString project would provide lasting economic benefits for communities beyond the increased power capacity.
He said the caravan park had been booked out for six months as construction of the 250 worker camp site commenced and there were hopes some permanent workers would be based in Richmond to continue managing the operation of the transmission lines.
“This Powerlink project is a financial sugar hit that our towns might not get for a very long time,” he said.
“So we are keen to discuss options with Powerlink and they have been very receptive and positive in their discussions so far.”
CopperString project director Tom Dockray said Powerlink was focused on delivering lasting benefits to communities across regional Queensland as part of its transmission line development.
“It is great to see strong interest from communities to be involved and we look forward to engaging with them as part of our community investment program,” he said.