Media Releases

Grants of $5000 and $20,000 are now available for projects to support activities for young people in Wide Bay, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today. 

Applications are now open for two competitive grant rounds worth $11.2 million to help improve drought resilience throughout Australia, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed a $2.7 million boost for agricultural show societies to help ensure they can continue to showcase the best of regional communities.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed an historic inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) into the domestic fresh food and dairy supply chain, from the farmgate right through to the supermarket.

Farmers, fishers and foresters can now apply for grants of up to $100,000 to support their natural resource management efforts, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today turned the first sod on the new Drop-in Centre for Murgon veterans, which delivers on his $450,000 election commitment and will create about 40 jobs.

A proposal to spend $107 million on a two-lane Tiaro Bypass shows a lack of foresight, responsibility and regard for road safety by the Queensland Labor Government, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said today.

Noosa and Gympie are among Queensland regions in line to share in $36.8 million for bushfire recovery projects, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Three Men’s Sheds in Wide Bay will share more than $17,000 in federal funding to support the health and wellbeing of local men, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

A Queensland joint venture has won the first major contract on the jointly funded $1 billion Bruce Highway – Cooroy to Curra – Section D project (also known as the Gympie Bypass), on which construction is expected to start later this year.
 

Small businesses can now apply for grants to help lower their power bills, with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien encouraging them to act fast before applications close.  

A government grant will support the provision of local news on the Cooloola Coast, with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announcing a $10,000 boost for the Cooloola Bay Bulletin.

Wide Bay farmers and landholders are invited to apply for grants to help develop new or improved pest animal and weed controls, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Tenders have been called to build a new roundabout as part of the jointly-funded $14 million Bruce Highway – Wide Bay Intersection Upgrade, signalling a late 2020 construction start on a project which will boost safety at Bells Bridge and create more than 40 jobs.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging local regional development organisations, telecommunications providers and government organisations to apply for funding to improve telecommunications infrastructure in Wide Bay.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced a significant boost for a Noosa biotech start-up, with funding for world-first technology to extract highly valuable compounds from algae.

Wide Bay schools, community and ex-service organisations will receive resources to help commemorate and honour the service of those who served in the Second World War, 75 years on from the war’s end.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging Wide Bay communities to apply for funding to help showcase the best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history during this year’s NAIDOC Week.

Wide Bay businesses have been offered a helping hand as they move into the recovery phase of the coronavirus crisis, with the Morrison Government extending the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed today’s announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that the JobKeeper program and the Coronavirus Supplement have been extended.

The Morrison Government will invest $2 billion to help hundreds of thousands of Australians learn new skills and retrain into sectors with more job opportunities, in an announcement welcomed by Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien.

Gympie’s Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival will be ready for lights, cameras and action next year, with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announcing an $18,250 grant for the event.

A team of Noosa erosion busters are receiving Australian Government support for their efforts to reduce sediment volumes in Lake Cootharaba while also boosting the catchment’s soil health and farm productivity.  

Noosa and Gympie families and businesses will have additional access to financial advice, as part of a $3.5 million investment by the Morrison Government to support communities affected the recent bushfire season.

From this week, nearly 19,000 small and family businesses in Wide Bay will pay less tax as a result of legislated tax cuts passed by the Morrison Government.

The Cooroy and Gympie RSL sub-branches will share more than $17,600 in funding through the Morrison Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program to help with advocacy services.

A $1.6 million cultural centre showcasing Murgon’s important prehistoric links will herald a bright future for local tourism, jobs, and the community, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said today.

People living with quadriplegia and other disabilities will have access to competitive sport on the Sunshine Coast, some for the very first time, following a Federal Government grant for Sippy Downs club Suncoast Spinners.

Wide Bay’s agricultural show societies can now apply for a share of $10 million in one-off payments from the Morrison Government to help ensure “the show goes on” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre volunteers will brew up new opportunities with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien delivering a $4,300 grant for café equipment today.

Dairy farmers across Wide Bay can now apply for grants that to help their farms become more energy-efficient and to reduce their power bills, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Local roads in Wide Bay will be better-maintained thanks to funding under the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. 

A new mobile phone base station is now improving coverage near Kilkivan, improving safety for motorists on the Wide Bay Highway and helping local households and businesses stay connected.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging Wide Bay businesses affected by COVID-19 to access free and confidential financial counselling, funded through the Australian Government.

Wide Bay will remember the service and sacrifice of our Australian Defence Force personnel through two grants from the Morrison Government’s Saluting Their Service commemorative grants program, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Wide Bay communities will receive a $1.8 million boost through the Morrison Government’s Building Better Regions Fund for local projects including activity centres, hall upgrades, a cultural centre, and an art and entertainment festival, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

World Environment Day, Friday 5 June, is a reminder of the importance of protecting Wide Bay’s unique and pristine natural environment, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said today.

A new maintenance shed will make life more comfortable for Noosa Dolphins rugby players, with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien officiating its opening today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed today’s announcement of the new HomeBuilder program, which will help homeowners, boost jobs in construction and trades, and support Wide Bay’s vital timber industry.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging people to “join the Aussie-made Club” by buying local, Australian-made products, as part of a new campaign launched this week.

Demolition of the existing Orealla Crescent Bridge could start in the next few weeks.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced 22 Wide Bay sports stars will receive Australian Government Local Sporting Champions grants to help them cover the cost of participating in state and national competitions.

Councils in Wide Bay will receive a share of $500 million in federal funding under a new Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today. 

Veterans and community groups will be able to relax in the comfort of new furnishings at the Cooroy Memorial Hall, with a $65,000 Veteran and Community Grant announced today by Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien.
 

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging people to consider the benefits of vocational education and training (VET) to launch or future-proof their careers, ahead of National Careers Week 2020.
 

Five Noosa volunteer organisations will be supported with a share of more than $16,000 in Australian Government funding, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.
 

Murgon Men’s Shed and Graham House will share $7500 in grants to support South Burnett volunteers, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.
 
 

Maryborough volunteers will receive a boost with two local organisations sharing $8,600 from the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants Program, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.
 

Eight Gympie region community groups will share more than $28,000 in federal funding to support local volunteers, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

An $85,675 grant will help create a bright future for Pomona Showgrounds, with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announcing funds for a new lighting system.

Operators of Driver Reviver locations across Wide Bay can now apply for a share of $3 million in Australian Government funding to upgrade their life-saving rest sites.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is urging local councils and the State Government to apply for a share of $300 million to upgrade bridges and freight roads.

Drought-affected communities across the Wide Bay-Burnett region will receive Australian Government support in their battle to control pest animals and weeds.

The mental wellbeing of Fraser Coast students will be given a boost with the release of the Little Blue Book.

Work will begin this month on a $1 million wildlife protection project to improve fencing on the Bruce Highway between the Cooroy southern interchange and Sankeys Road.

Statement from Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien on COVIDSafe app – Privacy Amendment (Public Health Contact Information) Bill 2020

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging people to access the additional mental health and wellbeing services on offer during the COVID-19 pandemic to help them get through uncertain times.

Applications are now open for Wide Bay community groups, local councils and non-government organisations to share in $1.8 million in flexible funding grants to support recovery from last year’s devastating Queensland bushfires.

Applications are now open for youths and veterans in Maryborough, Gympie and the Cooloola Coast for the regional youth vocational education and training Commonwealth Scholarships Program.

Charities and community organisations in Wide Bay will receive immediate funding to help them continue to support local people in the wake of the coronavirus economic downturn, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Funding is now available for innovative programs and technology to help drive road safety, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is urging Australians with chronic health conditions not to neglect their regular health care, but continue to consult with their usual doctors.

Like most Australians, I have attended many Anzac Day services throughout my life, and this Anzac Day is so different to any other that has been before.

Federal funding is available to help native plants and invertebrate species bounce back from the recent bushfires, with the opening of applications for the $12 million second tranche of the Morrison Government’s Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery grants program.

People in Wratten’s Forest will have improved mobile phone coverage under Round 5 of the Coalition Government’s highly successful $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Road maintenance in the South Burnett, Noosa and Cherbourg will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.

Mature-aged workers in Wide Bay can now access funded training more easily and quickly to help them find work, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Ex-service personnel in Maryborough, Gympie and the Cooloola Coast can access Australian Government funded scholarships worth up to $5,000 per year to help them re-enter the civilian workforce, under a program to be delivered by apprenticeship services agency BUSY At Work.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed the re-launch of the Australian Government’s My Skills website, which will now focus on delivering online training, increasing education options for people in regional areas.

A new $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy program to help keep businesses open and employees in jobs has been launched by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

More financial assistance is now available for individuals, retirees, families, sole traders and businesses in Wide Bay with stage two of the Coalition Government’s economic assistance plan to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus and help build a bridge to recovery.

Support is available to small and medium-sized businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak through the Coalition Government’s business hotline.

Applications are now open for funding to upgrade bridges and freight roads under Round 5 of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and Round 7 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is urging people to support local businesses and help keep Australians in jobs, as the Coalition Government rolls out its stimulus package.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed a $17.6 billion economic plan to keep Australians in jobs, keep businesses trading, and support households and the Australian economy as the world deals with challenges posed by the spread of coronavirus.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced more than $28,000 in Liberal and Nationals Government funding to help make Murgon a stronger, more vibrant community.

Community groups at Kilkivan and Goomeri will share $30,000 in Liberal and Nationals Government funding for projects to improve local amenities and the natural environment, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

About 900,000 Australians will see an increase to their fortnightly social security payments following the Liberal and Nationals Government’s decision to reduce deeming rates, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed the official opening of Tin Can Bay Community and Men’s Shed today, sealing the delivery of another election commitment.

Two Noosa environmental groups will share $32,226 in Liberal and Nationals Government grants to ensure their community’s stunning natural environment is protected into the future.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced $40,000 in grants from the Liberal and Nationals Government to enrich the lives of people with disabilities in Noosa communities.

Three community organisations will help build a healthier and safer Noosa region, after receiving funding from the Liberals and Nationals Government.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is calling on local communities to showcase the best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history during this year’s NAIDOC Week.

Residents in Maryborough received a major road safety boost today with the Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announcing $215,500 will be invested in two projects under the 2020-21 Black Spot Program.

Residents in Gympie received a major road safety boost today with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announcing $755,500 will be invested to upgrade Cedar Pocket Road and Gap Road at Cedar Pocket under the 2020-21 Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging students in schools throughout Wide Bay to test their spelling skills by taking part in the inaugural Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging eligible community organisations to apply for funding from the Liberal and Nationals Government 2020-21 Indigenous Languages and Arts program.

A Wide Bay business is helping to protect communities from fire threats, with assistance from a $497,500 grant announced by Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien.

Arts and culture organisations in Wide Bay are invited to apply for a share of more than $500,000 for arts projects at festivals and significant one-off community celebrations.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced 11 Wide Bay sports stars will receive grants of $550 to $750 to help them participate in state and national competitions.