Burdekin receives new after school hour care centre

Burdekin families and community groups will have better access to outside school hours care for children, through a major upgrade of the Burdekin community centre funded from the Royalties for the Regions program.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said a total of $650,000 funding had been awarded to Burdekin Shire Council which would deliver new activity rooms, kitchenette areas, office facilities and storage spaces to the building.

“The Burdekin region is a growing region and our government wants to invest in the infrastructure the town needs to ensure it can continue to grow,” Mr Seeney said.

“This funding demonstrates that only the LNP Government has a strong plan to support growth in regional Queensland. Labor only cared about the south-east corner of the State.

“It delivers on our election promise to provide better infrastructure and is in stark contrast to the former Labor government which has no plan for regional Queensland.

“This project will extend the community centre enabling it to provide outside school hours care to school children.

“This is the second project the Royalties for the Regions program has funded to improve child care centre infrastructure in regional Queensland. A total of $850,000 was provided to Barcaldine Regional Council in Round 2 to build a new child care facility and I’m proud this program has been able to improve the quality of life for regional families.”

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Bill Lowis said Burdekin Shire Council was grateful its Round 3 Royalties for the Regions application had been successful.

“The funds will allow for additional facilities at the centre, which are currently used by PCYC in Ayr and has intentions to incorporate a before and after school care centre,” Mr Lowis said.

“Council is very happy to be working with the PCYC Association to develop the new facility and see a much needed service provided to the local community.

“It will be an important centre for the development of our youth, providing a safe haven for them before and after school, but also as a place where they can participate in supervised recreational activities.” 

Member for Burdekin Rosemary Menkens echoed the Burdekin mayor’s sentiments.

“These funds will allow the staff and volunteers at the PCYC to continue their wonderful work in our community,” Mrs Menkens said.

To date more than 39 councils across Queensland have received more than $250 million in funding for infrastructure projects through Royalties for the Regions, a flagship program of the Newman Government. For more information visit http://www.qld.gov.au/royalties.

[ENDS] 22 May 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744