Palaszczuk Government backs Ayr jobs and Works for Queensland

Published Wednesday, 14 August, 2019 at 03:49 PM

Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Ayr’s Plantation Park will be the go-to park for both families and travellers with the soon-to-be-opened Plantation Nature Play and the new Visitor Information Centre.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe inspected the progress of the two projects and said he was pleased the Palaszczuk Government could support the Burdekin Shire Council with funding for the facilities.

“The Plantation Nature Play was funded with a $1.5 million election commitment and the council allocated a further $500,000 from the Works for Queensland 2017-19 budget,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The new Visitor Information Centre was supported with $800,000 from Works for Queensland.

“But what’s really important for this community and this region is that the Works for Queensland program has already created or supported about 320 jobs with another 218 in the pipeline.

“That’s security for residents who are raising their families here and it means jobs for young people heading into the workforce.

“Works for Queensland is a practical way the Palaszczuk Government helps regional councils build important infrastructure and continue to create jobs.

“The all-abilities play space includes sand and water features, climbing spaces and all-abilities swings, which will be great fun for children who live here or who are visiting.

 Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the projects would be a valuable asset to residents and travellers for many years.

“The Visitor Information Centre will have plenty of space for caravans and motor homes and is an excellent place to take a break and talk to the knowledgeable tourist information staff about your travel options,” she said.

“I want to thank the Palaszczuk Government for the election commitment and the funding from Works for Queensland for these projects.

“These projects show what can be achieved when two levels of government work well together.”

The total allocation to the Burdekin Shire Council across the three rounds of Works for Queensland is $9 million, which funded 55 projects and created or supported 320 jobs across the first two rounds.

The council estimates another 218 jobs will be created or supported during the third round. 

Media contact: Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116