Mount Isa Mayor Joyce McCulloch has welcomed the federal government budget commitments to boost funding for regional infrastructure and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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In particular Council is pleased with the $3.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to upgrade key freight routes, $200 million for a third round of the Building Better Regions Fund for regional infrastructure, $272 million Regional Growth Fund, for larger infrastructure projects and $52.9 million to improve Cattle Supply Chains.
“According to the Treasurer, Scott Morrison, these initiatives will help boost regional economies by making it easier to transport goods and products to markets and create the infrastructure to grow local jobs and industry,” Mount Isa Mayor Joyce McCulloch said.
“The roads funding includes $1.5 billion for northern Australia alone, with extra funding for the Outback Way and Barkly Highway.”
Cr McCulloch said that although there were no specific infrastructure projects identified in the budget for North West Queensland they would investigate every opportunity to access the available funding.
“The next round of the Building Better Regions fund, for instance, will have a tourism focus which we’d be keen to take advantage of,” she said.
Cr McCulloch said much of the improvement to the budget bottom line is due to recent gains in commodity prices which have helped underpin revenue growth.
“It is pleasing to note the Royal Flying Doctor Service has received $84 million in additional financial support,” she said.
“This is great news as the funding will guarantee rural and remote access to dental, mental health and emergency medical services.”
The Budget also includes $50 million to upgrade security infrastructure at 64 regional airports including Mount Isa.
Cr McCulloch said it was good to see the Government had committed to provide $154 million to promote active and healthy living, including $83 million to improve existing community sports facilities, and to expand support for the Sporting Schools and Local Sporting Champions programs.
“The increased incentives to attract doctors and nurses to rural and regional areas is another positive,” she said.
“Quality healthcare is vital for any town, but especially cities like Mount Isa far removed from the major hospitals on the eastern seaboard.”
The Mayor she wanted a commitment to make energy prices in Mount Isa more affordable.
“Affordable energy is huge not just for domestic household consumers but for business and industry,” she said.
“We will continue to work with the State and Federal Governments to find a sustainable infrastructure solution for communities like Mount Isa.”
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
