Media Releases

The Burnett Mary Regional Group will receive $250,000 to help native wildlife and habitat recover from the impacts of recent flooding in Wide Bay.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed a new $771 million flood support package that will be extended to flood-affected communities in Queensland, including Gympie, Fraser Coast, Noosa, South Burnett and Cherbourg.

Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, which is home to the most extensive collection of war memorabilia outside of Canberra’s Australia War Memorial, will receive a $700,000 expansion, thanks to a grant secured by Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien and announced in the 2022-23 Budget.

The Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $400,000 in Cherbourg to help Indigenous young people improve their mental health and reduce the risk of self-harm. 

Cherbourg will prepare to beat this summer’s bushfire season thanks to an Australian Government grant of $89,450.

After two years of cancellations and dashed hopes, Gympie’s entertainment scene is set to explode with a $1.2 million injection from the Morrison Government to inspire live music enthusiasts and film buffs and lure visitors back to the region. 

Power bills for two Wide Bay community groups will be slashed thanks to a grants program to provide energy-efficient appliances for not-for-profit organisations. 

A $296.5 million commitment to regional, rural and remote health in the 2022–23 Budget will improve access to MRI imaging, strengthen the workforce, and increase training opportunities for medical professionals in Wide Bay.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed a $500 million funding boost which will see more road and community infrastructure projects rolled out across Wide Bay, supporting local jobs.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said the Liberal and Nationals 2022-23 Budget supports households and sustains Australia’s economic recovery.

Maryborough Excelsior City Band is hitting a high note with a new solar panel system to keep electricity costs down, thanks to a $7,900 federal grant.

A brand new freezer filled with mice would be a calamity for most people – but it’s cause for celebration at Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, where new refrigeration equipment funded through a federal grant is slashing their power bills.

More than 26,000 households and businesses in Wide Bay will benefit from improvements to the NBN network, following a $480 million investment by the Morrison Government in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.

A new $27,000 lighting system will help slash thousands of dollars off Cooroora United Football Club’s electricity bill, with federal assistance announced by Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien.

More than 47,000 people in Wide Bay will benefit from a boost to their social security payments from 20 March to assist with changes in the cost of living.

More bridges in Wide Bay could soon be upgraded or replaced, thanks to a further investment of $40 million from the Liberal and Nationals Government under the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP).

Wide Bay schools, ex-service organisations and community groups will receive Anzac Day Commemorative packs to help ensure students and the community can learn more about the extraordinary sacrifice of our servicemen and women.

Applications for grants of up to $50,000 are now open for projects to support community sporting events in the Gympie, Fraser Coast, South Burnett and Cherbourg local government areas.

Financial support for flood-affected Wide Bay small businesses, farmers, not-for-profit organisations, and sporting and community clubs are available to assist them with clean up costs and recovery from the disaster.

Communities in and around Gympie and Maryborough will be made safer during a natural disaster with new telecommunications upgrades announced today.

Personal hardship assistance of up to $900 per family has been extended to flood-affected residents in Gympie, the Fraser Coast, Noosa and Sunshine Coast.

Applications are now open for the new Rebuilding Regional Communities Program, giving community groups a chance to share in $5.7 million.

Financial assistance is now available to employees and sole traders in Wide Bay who experience a loss of income as a direct result of the major disaster unfolding in Queensland.

Wide Bay residents affected by the unfolding flood disaster can apply for flood assistance grants of up to $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

The Noosa Leisure Centre will get a new lease on life with improved functionality as an emergency evacuation centre, with two grants totalling $1.24 million through the Liberals and Nationals Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recover Program.

Innovative bushfire detection technology will undergo pilot trials at Noosa’s FireTech Laboratory, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing a $979,875 grant for the project.

The Noosa community will be better prepared for natural disasters with $1.17 million in funding through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program to provide improved communications and a series of community resilience activities.

Wide Bay residents with diabetes will now have access to the next-generation Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), ensuring they can use the latest technology to manage their diabetes.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local small and medium food and beverage manufacturers to act fast and apply for a grant of up to $25,000 each to save money on energy bills, improve energy efficiency and adopt new energy technologies.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed a new $27 million investment to help fund bigger, better and more innovative programs to support the wellbeing of current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.

Wide Bay ex-service and community organisations are encouraged to apply for a share in $3.5 million for commemorative projects through the latest round of the Saluting Their Service grants program.

Noosa sporting leader Tash Ramsden from Noosa District Rugby Union Club will be supported to further her career and gain new skills under the Australian Government’s 2022 Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program.

The Liberal and Nationals Government is supporting medical students, nurses and other health professionals to train in Gympie, boosting essential health care services for local patients.

Disaster assistance is now available for Noosa following heavy rainfall and flooding that caused significant damage to a public footpath and roadway in Sunshine Beach.

Maryborough RSL Sub-Branch will receive $8,394 through the latest round of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service program to install new cabinets to display military memorabilia and uniforms.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien today congratulated nine local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.

Wide Bay school-leavers can apply now for a scholarship worth up to $18,000 to support their tertiary education in 2022.

Two Wide Bay beaches have been named in the top 20 Australian beaches for 2022, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien welcoming the announcement.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed a $5.4 million Liberals and Nationals Government investment in projects to improve price and market transparency in Perishable Agricultural Goods (PAG) supply chains.

A $20 million investment by the Federal Government, matched dollar for dollar by state and territory governments, will help farmers to manage and eradicate problematic pests and weeds.

On Australia Day this year, it’s time to focus on unity, freedom, and bringing our communities back together.

Bruce Highway motorists will benefit from safer and faster travel at Tinana with the completion of new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes.

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie and Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien today met with cane growers in Maryborough to discuss federal assistance to help Wide Bay-Burnett primary producers get back on their feet following the devastating floods.

Extraordinary assistance grants of up to $50,000 are now available for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations affected by the recent floods in the Wide Bay-Burnett region to help communities get back on their feet.

The Liberal and Nationals Government’s Cultural, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism program provides community museums, galleries and historical societies with grants of up to $3,000 to help them grow cultural tourism and preserve Australia’s heritage.

Major upgrades to the Sunshine Butterflies disability support facility will be supported by a $135,000 funding injection from the Federal Government, paving the way for more locals to use the service.

Noosa Arts and Crafts Association will receive a digital boost, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing a $5,000 grant for new technology.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local show societies to apply for a share of $21 million through round two of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program.

More Wide Bay residents in the South Burnett and Cherbourg who have been hit hard by the current flooding can now apply for financial support from the Liberal and Nationals Government.

Personal Hardship Assistance is now available to support residents of 13 localities within the Fraser Coast and Gympie Regional Council areas, including Maryborough, impacted by the devastating heavy rainfall and flooding associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth from 7 – 10 January 2022.

A range of disaster assistance measures are now available in the Fraser Coast, Gympie, South Burnett and Cherbourg council areas, following the devastating heavy rainfall and flooding associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth from 7 – 10 January 2022.

From Tuesday January 11, 2022, eligible Queenslanders in Gympie, the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg local government areas impacted by the current flooding event can apply for special financial support from the Australian Government.

The Liberal and Nationals Government has committed $1.5 million to fund an extension to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice, expanding access to end of life and palliative care services for people in Noosa and on the Sunshine Coast.

Christmas is a very special time of year when family and friends gather to reflect on the year that was and plan for the year ahead.

Councils within Wide Bay can now apply for a share of $150 million for upgrades to unsealed roads with applications open for the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local organisations to apply for grants of up to $150,000 for projects to support the wellbeing and mental health of veterans.

As Australia’s arts and entertainment sector continues to recover from COVID-19, Gympie Music Muster will go from strength to strength with a $1 million grant through the Morrison Government’s $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.

A concept design for the Tiaro Bypass has now been completed, which shows how a new four-lane section of the Bruce Highway east of Tiaro could look.

The Liberal and Nationals Government is investing in the future of Wide Bay with a further $250 million in funding available under the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

Works start today to improve safety along a three-kilometre section of the Bruce Highway at Gootchie, including upgrades to three intersections.

Community groups in Gympie, the Cooloola Coast and Mary Valley will share in grants of $33,618 as Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien recognises the valuable work of Wide Bay’s volunteers.

GP practices in Gympie and Maryborough will have more options for hiring and a larger pool of doctors to recruit from, following changes to the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification system.

Bridge piling has now started on the last of the three new interchanges as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade – Cooroy to Curra, Section D (C2CD) project.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed a parliamentary inquiry that will put big tech under the microscope as it examines toxic material on social media platforms and the dangers this poses to the well-being of Australians.

Up to $20 million is available for innovative research that addresses priority knowledge gaps in soil health and soil management as a part of the ‘Soil Science Challenge’.

Applications are now open for a further $50 million for priority flood mitigation infrastructure projects across the country, and Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging Wide Bay councils to apply.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed strong action by the Liberal and Nationals Government to shut down scam text messages and block them at their source.

From 1 December 2021, people in Wide Bay with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) will have access to a new treatment option on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) – cutting the cost of life-saving drug Venclexta from more than $88,000 per course to as low as $6.60.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local organisations to apply for grants for suicide prevention projects, to help reduce Australia’s suicide rate towards zero.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed a $22.4 million investment by the Liberal and National Government over five years to establish a Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed the Liberal and National Government’s world-leading reforms to help protect Australians and business owners from online trolls

Wide Bay local governments have received a share of $4.7 million to deliver services and infrastructure, through the Liberal and National Government’s Financial Assistance Grants program.

Wide Bay local governments have received a share of $4.7 million to deliver services and infrastructure, through the Liberal and National Government’s Financial Assistance Grants program.

Noosa’s precious native flora and fauna will be supported to recover from the Black Summer bushfires, with Noosa & District Landcare Group to receive $165,768 for three priority projects.

A $60,000 federal grant for displays will bring Murgon’s fossil museum a step closer to completion.

A new Optus tower at Cootharaba will boost connectivity for 642 homes and businesses, supporting increased demand during peak tourism season and improving essential communications when natural disasters strike.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed new figures that show the highest number of Australians in trade apprentices on record.

New funding will support tertiary students moving to the Wide Bay area for study, through the Australian Government’s Destination Australia program.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is urging local councils, community organisations and not-for-profit groups to get their projects lined up now for the $150 million first round of the Preparing Australian Communities Program – Local ahead of the opening of applications on December 10.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local schools, community groups and workplaces to celebrate International Day of People with Disability on 3 December this year.

A new 10-year plan will bring better care and support for people living with all forms of diabetes.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has welcomed changes to Australia’s cervical screening tests that make sample collection less invasive and more convenient for women.

Wide Bay councils will soon get their share of $1 billion flowing to local governments nationwide to improve local road networks and deliver priority community infrastructure projects.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging everyone in Wide Bay to honour those who have served our nation, by wearing a poppy and paying their respects at 11am on Remembrance Day, this Thursday, November 11.

Gympie and Murgon RSL Sub-Branches will share more than $17,000 through the Coalition Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program to further support local veterans and their families.

Works have started on a safety upgrade for the Bunya Highway and Silverleaf Road intersection at Murgon.

The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse (2021-2030) announced today, will provide vital protection and support for Australia’s young people.

Students from regional areas who started university this year could still apply for a scholarship worth up to $18,000.

The Liberal and Nationals Government is now providing people in violent relationships access to support of up to $5,000 to help them establish a life free of violence.

The spotlight is on Gympie’s future growth, with a $51,622 Building Better Regions Fund grant for additional lighting at Gympie Showgrounds.