Queensland Government invests another $200 million into 65 regional council projects

The Queensland Government’s ‘Works for Queensland’ program is investing another 200 million into 65 regional councils supporting regional Queensland’s economic recovery.

Previous rounds of 'Works for Queensland' have delivered a diverse range of projects, from new netball courts and returfed football fields at the Fraser Coast Sports Precinct, to upgrades to Charles Maroney Park and Heatley Park in Townsville, and a new cycling and walking track near Lake Moondarra in Mount Isa.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the allocations to each of the 65 regional councils would continue a program that local mayors have praised.

Premier Palaszczuk notes “we made a commitment to regional communities during the election that we would continue this fantastic program and we are living up to that commitment.

The $200 million fourth round of 'Works for Queensland' means that councils outside the South East corner have now been allocated $800 million dollars from the program.

Earlier rounds of 'Works for Queensland' have allowed councils to upgrade and develop venues, zoos, parks, sports fields, play and recreation spaces:

• Fraser Coast Council - upgraded piers and resurfaced rail trail

• Rockhampton Regional Council - installed new Pump Track at Gracemere and a new reptile enclosure at Rockhampton Zoo (pictured above)

• Mackay Region - upgraded playgrounds and parks as well as replaced sound system for the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

• Townsville City Council - recreated the popular bike friendly circuit at Kevin Schreiber Rotary Park in Currajong

• Cairns Regional Council - upgraded the Esplanade Plaza, constructed the Gordonvale Heritage Trail, and the White Rock public open space and pathway network.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government Steven Miles said "'Works for Queensland' has had a positive impact on communities throughout regional Queensland (and) this further funding will help councils deliver roads and pathways, parks and playgrounds, all while creating local jobs.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact some of these projects have had for their communities, I know that this fourth round will deliver even more.”

Local Government Association of Queensland President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said 'Works for Queensland' stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when both levels of government work together to create jobs and improve local communities.

“This program’s success comes from its targeted focus on funding projects that can be rolled out quickly to provide opportunities and improved facilities for local communities,” Mayor Jamieson said.

Eligible projects range from roadworks to town beautification, parks and playground upgrades, renewable energy installations, tourism, water and safety.

Project submissions close on 9th April.

Latest Council allocations include:

Far North Queensland
Cairns Regional Council will receive $12.11 million from the latest round of the Works for Queensland program

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford welcomed today’s announcement noting “Cairns has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic so this is great news for our region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy added “without international tourists Cairns is still struggling, but now’s a great opportunity to be investing in our city and building infrastructure to attract more interstate tourists.”

Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said that Cairns Regional Council has been taking advantage of earlier rounds of Works for Queensland.

Recent projects delivered by Works for Queensland funding include upgrades to the Esplanade Plaza, construction of the Gordonvale Heritage Trail, and the White Rock public open space and pathway network.

Far North Queensland allocations include:

• Aurukun Shire Council - $2.37 million

• Cairns Regional Council - $12.11 million

• Cassowary Coast Regional Council - $3.27 million

• Cook Shire Council - $2.2 million

• Croydon Shire Council - $1.02 million

• Douglas Shire Council - $1.82 million

• Etheridge Shire Council - $1.05 million

• Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.3 million

• Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.7 million

• Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.21 million

• Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.09 million

• Mareeba Shire Council - $3.24 million

• Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.29 million

• Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - $1.74 million

• Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.6 million

• Tablelands Regional Council - $2.88 million

• Torres Shire Council - $1.45 million

• Torres Strait Island Regional Council - $3.05 million

• Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.09 million

• Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council - $3.28 million

Bundaberg Region
Bundaberg Regional Council will receive $13.03 million from the latest Works for Queensland program

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith welcomed today’s announcement, stating "this is great news for Bundaberg and for our region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Bundaberg and Burnett allocations include:

• Bundaberg Regional Council - $13.03 million

• Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.27 million

• South Burnett Regional Council - $5.63 million

• Banana Shire Council - $1.65 million

• North Burnett Regional Council - $1.84 million

North Queensland councils
In North Queensland $29.48 million will be made available to Townsville City Council, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council and Hinchinbrook and Burdekin Shire Councils.

Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart welcomed the return of the Works for Queensland funding, commenting "in my electorate one of the most popular projects funded through Works for Queensland is the re-creation of the popular bike friendly circuit at Kevin Schreiber Rotary Park in Currajong, and there are countless other great examples across Townsville.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said Works for Queensland had delivered vital council infrastructure for the region, stating "as a councillor in Townsville I’ve seen firsthand the great work this program delivers, not just the jobs but the upgrades to facilities and recreational sites.

“Previously Works for Queensland has delivered upgrades at Oonoonba Park, Charles Maroney Park and Heatley Park alongside many others which have been supported in North Queensland.” 

North Queensland allocations include:

• Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council - $2.93 million

• Townsville City Council - $19.54 million

• Burdekin Shire Council - $2.48 million

• Hinchinbrook Shire Council - $2.15 million

• Charters Towers Regional Council - $2.38 million

Fraser Coast Council
Over $16 million injection for Fraser Coast in Works for Queensland funding

Fraser Coast Council will receive $16.46 million from the latest round of Works for Queensland program

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders welcomed today’s announcement noting that another round of Works for Queensland will allow Fraser Coast Council to upgrade their council infrastructure.

“We’ve already seen the program deliver great things for Maryborough, including a world class waterpark currently under construction.”

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the new round would build on the region’s economic recovery and added “we’ve already seen Works for Queensland upgrade our piers and resurface our much used and loved rail trail, I’m excited to see what it delivers next.

Central Queensland’s regional councils
Central Queensland’s regional councils will receive $24.52 million from the latest round of Works for Queensland program

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher noted that the additional funding “will help councils deliver roads and pathways, parks and playgrounds.

“Gladstone Regional Council has so far had 22 projects funded through Works for Queensland, delivering 350 jobs for locals including Bray Park Pump Track and Skate Park, upgrades to Tondoon Botanical Gardens, and the Harbour City BMX Club Facility.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke welcomed today’s announcement advising “Rockhampton Regional Council alone will receive $9.46 million, building on the previous rounds which I know they’ve put to good use, such as a new Pump Track at Gracemere and a new reptile enclosure at Rockhampton Zoo.”

Assistant Minister for Education and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga welcomed the funding for Livingstone Shire Council adding “Livingstone will receive $3.5 million to upgrade facilities and create jobs for our region, we’ve already seen them use the funds to create jobs on projects the Emu Park Art Gallery, and countless upgrades to roads and parks across Livingstone. 

Central Queensland allocations include:

• Livingstone Shire Council - $3.5 million

• Rockhampton Regional Council - $9.46 million

• Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council - $1.11 million

• Central Highlands Regional Council - $2.66 million

• Gladstone Regional Council - $7.79 million

Mackay and Whitsunday Regions
Councils in the Mackay region will receive $9.99 million from the latest round of Works for Queensland program

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert notes “this is great news for Mackay and for our region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve already seen Works for Queensland deliver upgrades to playgrounds and park through Mackay, as well as a replacement sound system for the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, I’m excited to see how the next round will deliver for Mackay.”

Mackay region allocations include:

• Whitsunday Regional Council - $3.84 million

• Isaac Regional Council - $1.59 million

• Mackay Regional Council - $9.99 million

For more information visit: www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/works-for-queensland

Images: Fraser Coast Rail Trail (top), the new reptile enclosure at Rockhampton Zoo (middle) and the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (below).