By Abbey Cannan
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’ Brien said the Government’s 2019-20 Budget will create a stronger and more secure future for Wide Bay, by funding important local investments and boosting essential services.
“In Wide Bay, the Liberal Nationals Budget builds a safer Bruce Highway, creates new jobs, and delivers new services,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Budget contains our $800 million commitment to construct the Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D project, around $11 million for the much-needed fix of the intersection of the Wide Bay and Bruce Highways at Bells Bridge, $85 million to improve flood immunity along the highway at Tiaro, $13 million for new overtaking lanes at Tinana, and $82 million to upgrade the highway at Aldershot around Saltwater Creek.”
But according to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland has still been left in the dark.
“There were 4,077 words in last night’s budget speech. The word ‘Queensland’ was used only once and then only in relation to the floods. That’s what’s wrong with the federal budget,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The budget shows the Liberal and National Parties’ priorities – everywhere else but Queensland. There’s no funding for remote housing. Nothing for Cross River Rail. No restoration of cuts to dental services. No $300 million owed to us for health funding or the $245 million owed under the Skilling Australians Fund. We get less than our population share under the National Partnerships on Community Health, Hospitals and Infrastructure projects.”
Queensland Minister for Health Steven Miles said the Federal LNP Government failed to reverse the savage cuts to hospital funding in their budget, while Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace gave the Federal Budget an ‘F’ for Education Funding.
“The Budget has failed to provide Queensland’s public schools with their fair share of additional funding similar to the $1.2 billion slush fund being provided to non-government schools as a ‘choice and affordability fund’,” Ms Grace said.
As for Wide Bay, Mr O’Brien said the Budget contains significant funding for major projects to create jobs and deliver services throughout the region.
“The Budget confirms $2.5 million to renovate the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and $2.55 million for the extension of the Digital Hub at Peregian Beach, which will help the Noosa region take advantage of emerging technologies and grow as a vibrant place to live,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Maryborough’s new headspace mental health service will also be funded, to help improve the mental health of young people on the Fraser Coast.
“These new investments will help make our community an even better place to live and raise a family.”
FUNDING FOR WIDE BAY INCLUDES:
ROADS:
• $800 million to construct the Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D project
• $85 million to improve flood immunity along the highway at Tiaro
• $13 million for new overtaking lanes at Tinana
• $11 million to fix the intersection of the Wide Bay and Bruce Highways at Bells Bridge
• $82 million to upgrade the highway at near Aldershot around Saltwater Creek
• $17 million to upgrade intersections along the Bruce Highway at Gootchie
• $15 million for safety upgrades along the Bruce Highway at Chatsworth
• $5 million commitment to replace the Coondoo Creek bridge
• A 25 per cent increase in Roads to Recovery funding to help councils improve local roads
SUNSHINE COAST
• $2.5 million to renovate the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
• $2.55 million for the extension of the Digital Hub at Peregian Beach
• $23,800 to replace fencing and carry out repairs at Noosa District Softball Association Inc
• $71,000 towards Sunshine Butterflies Family Central facility to provide space for services including family counselling and therapy spaces
• $500,000 to install lights at Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club
• $192,000 for Noosa Tigers Football Club to improve oval drainage to ensure the grounds can be used even after heavy rainfall
MARYBOROUGH
• $28.5 million commitment to create new jobs in Maryborough at the Rheinmetall Nioa projectile forging plant.
• A new headspace mental health service
• $426,000 for Maryborough District Hockey’s indoor sports centre
• $68,000 for the undercover area at Maryborough Riding for the Disabled
• $140,000 for lighting at Fairfield Park for Maryborough Softball
• $20,000 for equipment at Independent Riders Maryborough
• $50,000 for solar panels and air conditioning at the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum.
GYMPIE
• $92,414 for lighting at Gympie Showgrounds
• $40,000 for Tin Can Bay Fishing Club to upgrade facilities
• $40,000 to upgrade Sherwood Hall at Avenues Lifestyle Support Association
• $159,990 to install lights and resurface the court at Kandanga Tennis Club
• $30,000 to upgrade the power supply and lighting at the Widgee Recreation Grounds
• A new Medicare licence for MRIs at Gympie Radiology
• $750,000 over three years, to support Little Haven Palliative Care Service, with the first payment of $250,000 being made before the end of this financial year.
SOUTH BURNETT
• $3 million for footpath connecting Murgon and Cherbourg
• $20,000 for new furniture including a mobile audio-visual projector and screen at Murgon Town Hall
