Local Government Association of Queensland has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government's $200 million COVID-19 Works for Queensland program, as it meets in Mount Isa today with the North West Regional Organisation of Councils.
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In a tweet on Friday morning the LGAQ said it was meeting today in Mount Isa with the group of nine councils in the NWQROC to discuss issues affecting the North West like the need for increased investment in roads and housing to boost tourism and industry and to entice new residents to the region.
"Queensland regions are critical to the state's recovery from COVID19," the LGAQ said.
It comes after the state government announced Queensland councils would support more than 4600 jobs through the construction of new parks, tourism projects, road and water infrastructure to be funded under the Palaszczuk Government's $200 million COVID-19 Works for Queensland program.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed the projects to be funded saying Outback and adventure tourism will build its ever-growing offering through the program with upgrades to Rodeo Grounds at Croydon, refurbishment of the Birdsville Tourism Park and Winton Showgrounds and a range of tourism projects planned by the Balonne Shire Council, will help further entice tourists to visit Western Queensland.
Essential services councils provide to communities, like water and sewerage, will also be bolstered with a range of critical projects approved across the state with Mount Isa City Council getting $2,570,000 to upgrade water reservoirs, replace or extend water mains and sewer mains and locate and fix ineffective water main isolation valves.
The funding follows the LGAQ's request for a $200 million extension of the successful Works for Queensland program in the Association's Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities, launched on behalf of the state's councils in a bid to help their communities weather the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We know this program works. That is why we asked the government to consider allocating an additional $200 million as part of the LGAQ's Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities with the funding to flow to all 77 councils," Mayor Jamieson said.
"The local government sector also looks forward to partnering with the State Government on other Battleplan measures as we continue to unite in the fight against COVID-19 and recover together."
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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.
