Meeting with Local Government Association of Queensland

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, Local Government Minister Mark Furner and I met with the Local Government Association of Queensland President Mark Jamieson and Chief Executive Officer Greg Hallam.

A strong partnership with local councils has been a hallmark of my Government.

Queensland is at its best when we are united – and the partnership between councils and my Government has united our State.

Tropical Cyclone Debbie and associated flooding

No time was this unity more evident or more important than in our response to severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie and associated flooding.

When Tropical Cyclone Debbie crossed Queensland’s coast with ferocity on 28 March, it brought prolonged damaging winds, intense heavy rain and flash flooding.

Tomorrow marks eight months since Debbie crossed our border.

Under the joint Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, assistance has been activated for 36 local council areas.

More than 156,000 Queenslanders have received assistance in the form of grants, personal support and outreach visits. More than $32.6 million has been paid under NDRRA assistance under NDRRA assistance for individuals 120,000 people already assisted with payments.

Works for Queensland

Our partnership with local government has been extended through our Works for Queensland program.

We have allocated $400 million in two rounds - 2016-17 and 2017-19 - to support 65 local governments outside South-East Queensland to undertake job-creating maintenance and minor infrastructure projects.

In the first round, more than 700 projects are being funded. Almost 7000 jobs have been created, supported or sustained to date.

During the election campaign, the Government pledged a further $200 million for Works for Queensland.

International Broadband Submarine Cable Project

The Sunshine Coast Council is seeking to secure investment in the delivery of Queensland’s first direct international broadband submarine cable.

A direct international broadband cable connection is forecast to stimulate an estimated $1 billion to the Queensland economy, stimulate local industry growth, generate new investment, address a national security risk and provide greater bandwidth and redundancy for the eastern seaboard of Australia.

The cable will link Queensland directly to global communications systems in Asia, the Pacific and the United States.  

The council has lodged a submission with the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The Palaszczuk Government pledged $15 million to the cable project during the election campaign.

Pictures of meeting https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rb71ee6x8j4b9ky/AADSFzywHlWBxpFYGJVvXmdOa/Photos%20-%20LGAQ%20meeting?dl=0

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791