2019-20 BUDGET BUILDING A STRONG AND SECURE FUTURE FOR WIDE BAY

3/4/2019

2019-20 BUDGET BUILDING A STRONG AND SECURE FUTURE FOR WIDE BAY

The Liberal and National Government’s 2019-20 Budget will create a stronger and more secure future for Wide Bay, by funding important local investments and boosting essential services.

“Our plan balances the books to ensure we can pay for what we promise, creates more local jobs by backing our businesses, lowers taxes so more families keep more of what they earn and guarantees critical local services,” Mr O’Brien said.

Under our plan families in Wide Bay will benefit from:

• New investments in local infrastructure to grow our economy and create more opportunities. 
• Safer local roads through our $2.2 billion Road Safety Package, targeting black spots and council road improvements.
• Better connected communities through an additional $160 million investment in Mobile Black Spot Program.
• Listing of critical medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme such as breast cancer and rare skin cancer fighting drugs, saving patients up to $150,000.
• Support for older Australians, with 20,000 new home care packages and a reduction in red tape for 180,000 people a year in need of financial assistance with aged care services.

“In Wide Bay, the Liberal Nationals Budget builds a safer Bruce Highway, creates new jobs, and delivers new services,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The Budget contains our $800 million commitment to construct the Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D project, around $11 million for the much needed fix of the intersection of the Wide Bay and Bruce Highways at Bells Bridge, $85 million to improve flood immunity along the highway at Tiaro, $13 million for new overtaking lanes at Tinana, and $82 million to upgrade the highway at Aldershot around Saltwater Creek.

“The Budget will also include our $5 million allocation for the much anticipated replacement of the Coondoo Creek bridge, connecting the Cooloola Coast to Gympie.

“These road projects are all being managed by the State Government and they need to get cracking on them,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Budget also contains significant funding for major projects to create jobs and deliver services throughout Wide Bay.

“Job creation is a key priority for the Coalition Government, and there will be $28.5 million in the Budget to create 178 new jobs in Maryborough at the Rheinmetall Nioa projectile forging plant,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The Budget confirms $2.5 million to renovate the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and $2.55 million for the extension of the Digital Hub at Peregian Beach, which will help the Noosa region take advantage of emerging technologies and grow as a vibrant place to live.

“$3 million will be provided for a footpath connecting Murgon and Cherbourg, which is an important project that will not only add a missing piece of infrastructure in the local region but will support local jobs through the construction phase.

“Gympie’s much loved Little Haven Palliative Care service, and Gympie Radiology’s MRI Medicare licence will also be funded in the Budget.

“Maryborough’s new headspace mental health service will also be funded, to help improve the mental health of young people on the Fraser Coast.

“These new investments will help make our community an even better place to live and raise a family,” Mr O’Brien said.

More items for Wide Bay are listed at the end of this release.

An investment of $32 million for breast cancer patients to have life-saving scans covered under Medicare will save patients up to $1,500 per scan.

The Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg said, “This Budget will build a stronger economy and secure a better future for all Australians. It will ease the cost of living pressures, fund infrastructure to unlock the potential of our regions and guarantee funding for essential services including hospitals, schools, drugs on the PBS, disability support”.

Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack said, “The Liberal and Nationals Government understands that having strong regions creates a strong Australia and that is why we are continuing our record investment in supporting regional communities like Wide Bay.”

The Liberal and National Government’s 2019-20 Budget builds a stronger local community and secures a better future for all Wide Bay families.

“Under the Morrison Government, the economy will always be stronger, helping you and your family to get ahead,” Mr O’Brien said.

Funding for Wide Bay includes:

ROADS:

$800 million to construct the Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D project

$85 million to improve flood immunity along the highway at Tiaro

$13 million for new overtaking lanes at Tinana

$11 million to fix the intersection of the Wide Bay and Bruce Highways at Bells Bridge

$82 million to upgrade the highway at near Aldershot around Saltwater Creek

$17 million to upgrade intersections along the Bruce Highway at Gootchie

$15 million for safety upgrades along the Bruce Highway at Chatsworth

$5 million commitment to replace the Coondoo Creek bridge

A 25 per cent increase in Roads to Recovery funding to help councils improve local roads

MARYBOROUGH

$28.5 million commitment to create new jobs in Maryborough at the Rheinmetall Nioa projectile forging plant.

A new headspace mental health service

$426,000 for Maryborough District Hockey’s indoor sports centre

$68,000 for the undercover area at Maryborough Riding for the Disabled

$140,000 for lighting at Fairfield Park for Maryborough Softball

$20,000 for equipment at Independent Riders Maryborough

$50,000 for solar panels and air conditioning at the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum.

GYMPIE

$92,414 for lighting at Gympie Showgrounds

$40,000 for Tin Can Bay Fishing Club to upgrade facilities

$40,000 to upgrade Sherwood Hall at Avenues Lifestyle Support Association

$159,990 to install lights and resurface the court at Kandanga Tennis Club

$30,000 to upgrade the power supply and lighting at the Widgee Recreation Grounds

A new Medicare licence for MRIs at Gympie Radiology

$750,000 over three years, to support Little Haven Palliative Care Service, with the first payment of $250,000 being made before the end of this financial year.

SOUTH BURNETT

$3 million for footpath connecting Murgon and Cherbourg

$20,000 for new furniture including a mobile audio-visual projector and screen at Murgon Town Hall

SUNSHINE COAST

$2.5 million to renovate the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

$2.55 million for the extension of the Digital Hub at Peregian Beach
$23,800 to replace fencing and carry out repairs at Noosa District Softball Association Inc

$71,000 towards Sunshine Butterflies Family Central facility to provide space for services including family counselling and therapy spaces

$500,000 to install lights at Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club

$192,000 for Noosa Tigers Football Club to improve oval drainage to ensure the grounds can be used even after heavy rainfall

 

ENDS