LOCAL ROADS AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO BOOST JOBS AND THE ECONOMY IN WIDE BAY

January 11, 2021

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien today welcomed the approval of funding for 10 road upgrade projects in Wide Bay, which will support 64 local jobs and improve road safety across the region.

The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has approved funding for projects in Noosa, Gympie, Cherbourg and the South Burnett as part of its $1.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program.

“This new program will support jobs, construction businesses and economic growth across Wide Bay, and it will also improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks, improving access for freight, tourism and local road users,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We will work closely with the Noosa, Gympie, South Burnett and Cherbourg councils to ensure local projects get underway, supporting jobs and businesses, and helping people in Wide Bay get home sooner and safer.”

The projects that will receive funding are:

  • Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council – $39,849 towards a $275,000 project upgrading and sealing several roads around Cherbourg – supporting 5 jobs.
  • Gympie Regional Council – $147,000 to widen Amamoor Creek Road, supporting 10 jobs.
  • Gympie Regional Council – $335,000 to seal roads in Brooloo Township, supporting 10 jobs.
  • Gympie Regional Council – $350,000 to widen Eel Creek Road, supporting 10 jobs.
  • Gympie Regional Council – $13,802 for a bicycle and walking path on Excelsior Road Footpath, supporting six jobs.
  • Gympie Regional Council – $61,000 for a bicycle and walking path on Mellor Street, supporting six jobs.
  • Gympie Regional Council – $455,000 for widening Rocks Road at Pie Creek, supporting 10 jobs.
  • Noosa Council – $790,346 towards the $790,346 project costs to upgrade drainage on Sobraon Street, supporting 6.8 FTE jobs.
  • South Burnett Regional Council – $85,712 to re-seal Silverleaf Road between Barlil Road and Lancasters Road, and between Brand Road and Bradleys Road, supporting 0.1 FTE jobs.
  • South Burnett Regional Council – $38,500 to re-seal Verdelho Drive at Moffatdale, supporting 0.1 FTE jobs.

“Getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects is important for maintaining jobs and economic growth in Wide Bay, and every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local community as our economy recovers from the pandemic,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This funding boost from the Morrison Government is helping Councils to bring forward projects to get people into jobs and stimulate our economy,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Communities have tackled drought, bushfires and COVID-19, and our Government is supporting practical projects to create employment and business opportunities while cutting travel times, as well as making our roads and communities safer.”

In May 2020, the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government also pre-paid $1.3 billion of this year’s Financial Assistance Grant to provide untied funding for all local councils across Australia to spend on local priorities.

More information on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program is available at investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program

 

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

In the spirit of Australia, I acknowledge all citizens who contribute to making our nation the greatest on earth.

I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.