Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady described the Royalties for the Regions program as “a sick joke”. 

Cr McGrady said the council had applied for $3.6 million towards a water treatment plant but when he recently checked the grant’s status with the department he learnt that only successful councils received a letter. 

Mount Isa City Council did not receive a letter so it concluded it was denied funding.  

Although the Mount Isa Water Board was building a more expensive water treatment plant than the one the council applied for, the council wanted to be convinced the water board could resolve the city’s water issues. 

Cr McGrady was disgusted Mount Isa was overlooked again. Mount Isa had contributed to the region’s wealth since 1923 and Cloncurry more so in the recent years, he said. 

Unsuccessful councils that applied last August for round 4 funding are still expecting to receive a formal response from the government, only learning through hearsay their lack of success. 

Cloncurry chief executive officer David Neeves said council had applied for funding to develop a subdivision in Perkins Street, and to seal 35 kilometres of road to Duchess but had not received a letter. 

“Council is hopeful that the infrastructure needs of the community will be recognised,’’ he said. 

“According to the Queensland Resources Council, in 2012-13, Cloncurry Local Government Area was the largest royalties’ contributor in the North West and generated $119 million in royalties for the state government.” 

McKinlay Shire Mayor Belinda Murphy said the council applied for $1.2 million to upgrade the shire’s community hall. 

Cr Murphy said council received “nothing official” to indicate the result of the application, but acknowledged hearsay in the region that successful applicants were already informed. 

Member for Mount Isa Rob Katter said the LNP often overlooked North Western communities for southern and coastal regions.

Mr Katter said as a crossbencher in what looked to become a minority government, he had leverage on making sure the royalty scheme was improved. 

But he would have no say on deciding precisely where royalties would be funded as the decisions were made at a department level.