IT was a long and hard-fought battle, but I’m proud to say we’ve been successful in delivering for the bush in the 2016-17 state budget.
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The KAP has worked hard to put the focus back on the bush, championing for important rural and regional issues.
It’s resulted in rural Queensland and the Mount Isa electorate securing some wins in the 2016-17 State Budget.
The delivery of the budget – with funding for a number of key projects - was validation of the influence of the crossbenchers.
In the Mount Isa electorate, these projects will create much-needed jobs and stimulate the economies of our rural towns.
In particular, the $77.9 million Rural Assistance and Drought Package to assist rural producers and communities, was the culmination of hard work towards improving the outlook for rural towns.
We’ve also got almost $20 million for the Hann Highway – a critical piece of nation-building infrastructure that we have been lobbying for over many years.
There’s almost $30 million in road projects for Western Queensland, an extension of the $40m Western Roads Package announced in the last budget. Funding for roads is vital as it’s the main business for our local councils, boosting employment and improving infrastructure and safety.
There is also $10 million over three years to boost roads to tourist and culturally significant sites, and I’m confident this will include funding for the 11km stretch of unsealed road to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs at Winton. Mornington Island will benefit from $1.647 million for the damaged Jetty and Barge Landing and there’s also a total of $1.2 million to rebuild the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton which was tragically destroyed by fire.
The hard-working staff at Mount Isa and Richmond fire stations will enjoy upgraded facilities thanks to $1 million for each base.There is also money for a much-needed new water reservoir at Georgetown.
Key health projects include almost $1 million to refurbish the Alan Ticehurst Building in Cloncurry, the Boulia Community Hospital will also be refurbished and the McKinlay multi-purpose health service will also be refurbished and expanded. Almost $5 million was allocated to education in the electorate, including upgrades to schools in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Winton and Normanton.
Read the full column online at www.northweststar.com.au
