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Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
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Mr Hinchliffe’s visit follows a State Budget boost of $12 million over two years to improve the quality of drinking water on Horn, Thursday and Hammond islands.
“I want to assure local residents that we’re working closely with the Council in mapping out a way forward to enhance water quality in the Torres Strait,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“The Palaszczuk Government has delivered an extra $12 million through the State Budget to get the job done, and I know that Council is a willing partner.
“Together, we’re going to ensure Council gets the support it needs to build the right infrastructure that will make a real difference in these communities.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said: “This is a great outcome for the Torres Strait – it will ensure clean, safe supply of drinking water is available in these communities,” she said.
“We will keep these communities fully up to date on the progress of these new works as the new investment is rolled out.”
Minister Hinchliffe also inspected the shade sails now covering the playground at Bayo Beach Park, made possible through the jobs-generating Works for Queensland program.
“This is an excellent example of how this program is also creating healthier and happier Queensland communities. It also supported eight jobs in the construction phase,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“It ensures that regional Queensland including our remote indigenous communities have great infrastructure that visitors and locals love.
“The State Budget includes a further $200 million to extend the Works for Queensland program until 2020-21, bringing our total investment to $600 million.” Torres Shire Council has received $3.09 million in Works for Queensland funding which the council says so far has supported or created 86 jobs in the construction of multiple projects. Torres Shire Mayor Vonda Malone welcomed Minister Hinchliffe’s visit.
“I am pleased the Minister made it a priority to travel to our Shire. This provides the opportunity for Minister Hinchliffe to see first-hand the positive impact of Qld Government’s infrastructure investment towards improving the liveability, safety and wellbeing of our community,” Mayor Malone said.
“We congratulate the State Government for working closely with Torres Shire. Through programs such as the Works for Queensland it generates meaningful employment for our community and we support this continued partnership to enable more jobs into the future.”
For more information: www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/works-for-queensland ( http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/works-for-queensland )
Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548
