Christmas has come early for Bundaberg and North Burnett with $7.2 million worth of Palaszczuk Government funds for cultural, sporting and recreational activities, and flood resilience projects.
In Bundaberg to announce the funding today, State Development Minister and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said the projects, partnerships with Bundaberg and North Burnett regional councils, would support 52 jobs and generate new business opportunities in Bundaberg and the North Burnett region.
“Regional infrastructure projects are an important part of keeping the economy ticking over and keeping our regional communities strong,” he said.
“Our $375 million Building our Regions program is pumping funds into regional communities across the state and supporting more than 600 jobs in 51 projects funded in this latest second round.
“Already, 37 projects are underway and two are completed from the first round announced just a year ago.
“That includes $5 million for the Bundaberg Regional Council for Stage 1 works underway on the Bundaberg Sport and Community Centre, and another $5 million for works underway at the Rubyanna Wastewater Treatment Plant, also in Bundaberg.”
Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson welcomed the news.
“I know how important this piece of infrastructure is for our community and I am pleased to see Bundaberg secure this funding for our Sport and Community Centre,” she said.
The new Building our Regions funds are:
In Bundaberg – $5 million from the State Government, $5 million from the Australian Government’s Community Development Grants Program and $2.26 million from council for Stage 2 of the Bundaberg Region Multi-use Sports and Community Centre competition and event space to attract sporting, community and business events to the region.
In North Burnett – $2.2 million from the State Government and $2.2 million from the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Programme to replace the Deep Creek Bridge and increase transport productivity that will allow the local citrus and livestock industries better access to markets, bringing economic benefits to the region.
They are among 51 critical infrastructure projects receiving more than $79.2 million under Round 2 of the Building our Regions program, and attracting a further $117.6 million investment from councils and other organisations.
“This is all part of our plan to support jobs growth in regional Queensland,” he said.
“In Wide Bay, our Back to Work package has supported 115 jobs by helping 82 businesses employ jobseekers.
“Importantly, the Palaszczuk Government has doubled the incentive for business hiring young people in regional Queensland for December, January and February from $10,000 to $20,000 to help tackle youth unemployment. “