Newman Government delivers record stock route funding

Drovers and graziers have benefited from the Newman Government’s commitment to improving Queensland’s stock route network, according to the latest quarterly update released this month.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the LNP had allocated more funding for stock route management in two years than the former Labor government did in three years.

“We committed at the 2012 election to grow agriculture as one of Queensland’s four economic pillars,” Mr Cripps said.

“Labor continually ignored the agricultural sector and it suffered as a result.

“They neglected to fund much-needed improvements to Queensland’s stock route network, which risked exposing drought stricken graziers when they needed to look after their stock and protect their businesses.

“Since the Newman Government was elected in March 2012, we have allocated $1.46 million for stock route management.

“This compares to just $1.35 million over three years under the former Labor government.
 
“This vital funding enables councils to maintain and upgrade the network by installing and replacing water troughs, tanks and pumps, desilting water storages and increasing their capacity and improving vehicle access for tankers, which deliver water to watering points during drought.”

Mr Cripps said this funding showed the Newman Government was delivering on its promises to the agriculture sector.

“In March this year I announced a $750,000 injection into the network, which is one of the most significant single allocations in more than a decade,” he said.

“We responded to widespread and deepening drought conditions across the state, instead of burying our heads in the sand like our predecessors.”

The breakdown of funding over the past five financial years is:

[ENDS] 7 May 2014

Media contact: Eleisha Rogers 0413 375 088