THE first signs of demolition at the new Neighbourhood Centre site on the corner of Marian and Butler streets last week marked the start of state budget money flow into the region.
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State member for Mount Isa Rob Katter said it was positive to see the revised project start to take shape so soon after a budget and worthy of public recognition.
``I think its important for people to realise there are still projects going ahead out here and building activity in the context of the local economy,'' he said.
``Following the community opposition to the original project [Neighbourhood Centre] it has been revised and this is the result of the revised project announced under the previous government.
``It's just great to see dirt being turned on new projects in Mount Isa.''
The centre will replace the old facility on Hilary Street.
Mr Katter said things were well and truly ``turning over'' in other parts of the city with a number of projects coming to a close or starting afresh this month.
``I guess it's a good signal, we've just finished the $18 million Laura Johnson Home development and a new Bottle-O and we're talking about a new Hungry Jacks construction, an upgrade to the Coles complex and now this,'' he said.
``I guess we'd hope the next big development out here in terms of government spending would be work on the council sewerage plan to use that Royalties for the Regions money which I think is an excellent scheme.''
Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce manager Joyce McCulloch said new investment from national companies would reinforce people's confidence in the city and the wider North West region.
``You need those national companies to come into regional centres to reinforce the thought that these regional centres are worth investing in,'' she said.
