The race for Townsville's top job has intensified dramatically as mayoral candidate David Kippin launched a scathing attack on rival Nick Dametto's election commitments, labelling them an $800 million fantasy that would cripple council finances and drive up rates for residents.
Financial Fantasy or Visionary Leadership?
David Kippin has taken direct aim at what he describes as Nick Dametto's costly, unrealistic and unfunded election promises, claiming the former Hinchinbrook MP's pledges are financially irresponsible and disconnected from reality.
Mr Kippin argued that the massive spending commitments would create significant burden for Townsville City Council, potentially devastating their financial position while forcing painful rate increases and cuts to essential services that residents rely on daily.
The Mega-Projects Under Fire
The controversial $800 million price tag covers several major infrastructure projects that Mr Dametto has championed throughout his campaign. Among the most significant proposals drawing criticism are:
- The comprehensive Arterial Road redevelopment
- Final completion stages of the Haughton Pipeline
- Major redevelopment of The Strand precinct
- Permanent coastal protection measures
- A complete waste management system overhaul
Mr Kippin emphasised that these large-scale projects, combined with additional commitments to community events and mountain bike trails, create an unsustainable financial package that simply cannot be delivered within a standard two-year mayoral term.
Clashing Visions for Townsville's Future
What Townsville needs right now is focus, not fantasy, Mr Kippin declared during the heated exchange. We've seen this all before - big talk, glossy headlines and no delivery. Townsville needs steady, realistic leadership.
The candidate outlined his contrasting approach, prioritising what he calls making Townsville work again by concentrating on fundamental services. I'm not here to make impossible promises, he stated. That means fixing the basics - roads, waste, safety, and service reliability.
However, Nick Dametto fired back strongly against these criticisms, accusing Mr Kippin of lacking the drive and vision necessary to lead Australia's largest northern city forward.
Councils shouldn't deliver capital projects in isolation, Mr Dametto countered. Townsville's next Mayor must be hungry and willing to chase every funding opportunity that becomes available.
He defended his ambitious infrastructure agenda by emphasising that every proposal positions Townsville to partner with state and federal governments to secure external funding for these critical projects.
We've sat dormant long enough while other regional cities have surged ahead, Mr Dametto argued. Townsville is the capital of North Queensland, and it's time we started acting like it.
The Hinchinbrook MP-turned-mayoral hopeful outlined his governing philosophy, stating that the priorities are simple - get the basics right so you can get the big things done. He insisted that maintaining essential services and pursuing transformative projects weren't mutually exclusive goals.
Mr Dametto concluded by revealing his core mantra if elected: reduce the burden on ratepayers while securing federal and state funding to finance capital projects.
As the November 12, 2025 debate continues to resonate through the community, Townsville voters face a clear choice between two fundamentally different approaches to leadership and financial management.
