Fourteen projects in Far North Queensland have been shortlisted for a share of $70 million in the latest round of the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions program.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said Round 4 of the program is focused on projects which will deliver enduring economic outcomes for regional communities.
“Projects that have strong, direct economic outcomes are vital for driving the region’s economic future and generating jobs,” Mr Dick said.
“A wide range of projects in the electorate of Cook have been shortlisted including the Gateway to the Cape, upgrades to Kowanyama’s Airport and accommodation cabins for the airport at Lockhart River.
“Far North Queensland councils with shortlisted projects are seeking a total of over $15.5 million from Building our Regions for projects worth a total of over $27.1 million.”
The Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui said any of the 11 projects shortlisted from her electorate would deliver great benefits to their respective communities.
“I look forward to seeing many of these projects become a reality,” Ms Lui said.
“Councils in my electorate really value the Building our Regions program. The program has contributed $1 million to deliver two projects in Cook, creating five fulltime jobs.
The Building Our Regions program sits beside the very successful Works for Queensland program which also has delivered great projects andreal jobs in the electorate.
Forty-three projects in Far North Queensland have already been allocated over $34.8 million under previous rounds of Building our Regions. State-wide, the program has allocated $225 million to 174 projects, generating 1762 jobs.
Councils with shortlisted projects will now have six weeks from Monday 30 July 2018 to submit their business cases.
“Funding isn’t guaranteed for these projects and it is essential that councils demonstrate detailed and compelling reasons for their projects to gain funding,” Mr Dick said.
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam said the Building Our Regions fund provided local councils with the means to deliver to their communities timely, value for money projects that created jobs.
“The Palaszczuk Government knows local councils understand the infrastructure needs of their communities and have the ability to meet those needs as effectively as possible,’’ he said.
Business cases will undergo a comprehensive assessment process by the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning and an advisory committee of senior Queensland Government executives.
Successful projects are expected to be announced in late 2018.
Shortlisted projects in the Cook electorate are:
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Gateway to the Cape – Tourist Information Centre and Interactive Sculpture Park – Cook Shire Council
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George Bowen Memorial Kindergarten Upgrade – Hope Vale – Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council
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Kowanyama Transport Hub – Airport Terminal Stage 2 – Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council
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Lockhart River Airport Cabins – Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council
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Mapoon Residential Aged Care Facility – Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
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Mapoon Airport Terminal Project – Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
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Mapoon Shire Staff Accommodation Project – Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
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Mareeba Industrial Park Expansion – Stage 3 – Mareeba Shire Council
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Sadies Beach Helipad – Thursday Island – Torres Shire Council
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Wujal Wujal Eco Village Upgrade – Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council.
ENDS
Media contact: Cook Electorate Office – 4223 1100
