Big response to Royalties for the Regions
Published Wednesday, 11 September, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney
Queensland’s regional councils have put forward 113 projects for funding under Round Two of the state government’s Royalties for the Regions program.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said councils’ response to the program proved there was a demand for critical infrastructure projects in resource communities.
“Resource towns were left high and dry by Labor so the Newman Government’s aim is to provide much-needed roads, community and flood mitigation infrastructure funding for communities that need it the most,” Mr Seeney said.
“We have set aside $95 million for Round Two, bringing the total money invested in critical community infrastructure, roads and flood mitigation projects to $495 million, over the four years to 2015-16.”
Mr Seeney said after a number of regional road pre-commitments were funded, local governments would be able to apply for almost $49 million to support critical projects.
He said the most significant change to Round Two was that all councils outside south east Queensland, including Toowoomba, could apply.
“The preliminary numbers for road and community infrastructure projects indicate eligible councils have submitted 90 expressions of interest.
“Although not everyone will have their projects funded, this programs shows that the Newman Government is willing to put money back into the communities who need it most.”
He said flood mitigation projects seeking Round Two Royalties for the Regions funding were considered through a separate streamlined process being led by the Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli and a number of announcements have already been made.
Mr Seeney said councils would be notified of the assessment outcome of their expressions of interest and those shortlisted will be asked to develop and submit a detailed business case.
Successful projects will be announced by the end of the year.
[ENDS] 11 September 2013
Media Contact: John Wiseman 0409 792 281
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said councils’ response to the program proved there was a demand for critical infrastructure projects in resource communities.
“Resource towns were left high and dry by Labor so the Newman Government’s aim is to provide much-needed roads, community and flood mitigation infrastructure funding for communities that need it the most,” Mr Seeney said.
“We have set aside $95 million for Round Two, bringing the total money invested in critical community infrastructure, roads and flood mitigation projects to $495 million, over the four years to 2015-16.”
Mr Seeney said after a number of regional road pre-commitments were funded, local governments would be able to apply for almost $49 million to support critical projects.
He said the most significant change to Round Two was that all councils outside south east Queensland, including Toowoomba, could apply.
“The preliminary numbers for road and community infrastructure projects indicate eligible councils have submitted 90 expressions of interest.
“Although not everyone will have their projects funded, this programs shows that the Newman Government is willing to put money back into the communities who need it most.”
He said flood mitigation projects seeking Round Two Royalties for the Regions funding were considered through a separate streamlined process being led by the Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli and a number of announcements have already been made.
Mr Seeney said councils would be notified of the assessment outcome of their expressions of interest and those shortlisted will be asked to develop and submit a detailed business case.
Successful projects will be announced by the end of the year.
[ENDS] 11 September 2013
Media Contact: John Wiseman 0409 792 281