Nineteen councils receive Round 3 royalties funding

A total of 19 regional councils have been successful in securing Round 3 Royalties for the Regions funding to upgrade infrastructure including roads, airports and a new natural history museum at Eromanga.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney told Parliament that 22 regional infrastructure projects would be delivered through Round 3 of the Queensland Government’s $495 million Royalties for the Regions program.

“The Queensland Government’s Royalties for the Regions program is an essential part of our strong plan to provide a brighter future for regional Queensland,” Mr Seeney said.

“The program symbolises the vast difference in approach between our Government and the former Labor administration when it comes to caring for country towns and country people.

“Within months of our election we delivered on a promise to invest in critical community infrastructure in Queensland’s regions, and the vehicle we have used so successfully to do that is our Royalties for the Regions program.

“Regional Queensland has grown substantially on the back of steady growth in tourism, agriculture and the resources sectors and our LNP Government is committed to a strong plan to support that growth.

“We promised to deliver better planning and better infrastructure and this round will provide upgrades to roads, bridges and airports and improvements to water and sewage infrastructure and community facilities.

“Previously, funding to 12 councils had been announced as part of Round 3 of the program.  Today I would like to announce the remaining seven regional councils that will share in this round’s funds and deliver infrastructure projects worth more than $75 million.

“Burdekin Shire Council will receive $650,000 to extend the Burdekin community centre; Cook Shire Council will receive $3,500,000 to revitalise its esplanade; Maranoa Regional Council will receive $300,000 to upgrade Injune’s sewerage treatment plant; Diamantina Shire Council will receive $432,500 to reseal Birdsville Airport’s runway; Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council will receive $1,403,587 for a road upgrade; Quilpie Shire Council will receive $500,000 to build stage one of a natural history museum at Eromanga; and Tablelands Regional Council will receive $440,000 for a road upgrade.

“In some regions, we are matching dollar-for-dollar investment by councils while elsewhere resource companies are also co-contributing to delivering these vital infrastructure upgrades.

“These new 22 infrastructure projects will provide lasting benefits to Queensland’s regional communities and will also deliver a welcome economic boost during construction.

“With interest in Royalties for the Regions remaining strong, I look forward to the continued success of this program and delivering further infrastructure projects in regional Queensland.”

Councils that have received funding as part of Round 3 Royalties for the Regions:

• Banana Shire Council
• Barcaldine Regional Council
• Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
• Boulia Shire Council
• Burdekin Shire Council
• Carpentaria Shire Council
• Cloncurry Shire Council
• Cook Shire Council
• Diamantina Shire Council
• Flinders Shire Council
• Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Maranoa Regional Council
• Mount Isa City Council
• Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council
• North Burnett Regional Council
• Quilpie Shire Council
• Tablelands Regional Council.

For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/royalties

[ENDS] 22 May 2014

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