Miles Doing What Matters: Record $500 million for Queensland councils

• Miles Government approves record $500 million in council infrastructure grants
• Close to 600 projects across three initiatives: Works for Queensland, Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program, and South East Queensland Community Stimulus
• Part of more than $2 billion in funding for Queensland’s 77 councils from the state
• At risk under David Crisafulli and LNP who cut millions in funding from councils

More than half-a-billion dollars in projects has been approved for councils across the state to deliver infrastructure for their growing communities.

Across three local government programs - Works for Queensland, Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program, and South East Queensland Community Stimulus – the Miles Government will look to fund more than 570 projects from the NSW border up to the Torres Strait.

Projects funded include housing, critical infrastructure like roads and water, waste, parks and critical planning for future growth.

Among the nearly 600 projects:

• $18 million for road, stormwater and watermain repairs and upgrades across Cairns
• $11.5 million for Bundaberg Regional Council’s pathway, road and bridge renewal programs
• $5.45 million for the South West Victoria Point Gravity Sewer Infrastructure expansion
• $4.8 million for water and sewer main renewal in Gympie
• $4.5 million for road, parking, kerb and drainage upgrades in Rockhampton
• $4.1 million to expand the Yeppoon landfill
• $4 million for the Dalby Water Supply Upgrade project
• $3.9 million for Minnie Street upgrade, Upper Kedron
• $3.8 million for Compton Park, Woodridge clubhouse facilities
• $3 million to remediate a critical bulk water reservoir for Magnetic Island
• $2.7 million for Toowoomba Regional Council’s sewer pump construction at Highfields
• $2.2 million for new Noosvaille foreshore changing places
• $2 million for Petrie Creek Cycles Lanes, Sunshine Coast
• $1.8 million to upgrade sewerage infrastructure in Mareeba Shire
• $1.8 million for Aurukun Shire Council’s renewal of isolation valves and fire hydrants
• $1.3 million for new staff housing in Balonne Shire
• $1 million for new and upgraded cabin housing at Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council
• $630,000 for new workers dongas in Pompuraaw
• $293,000 for the Port Hinchinbrook Concept Design

The funding is part of more than $2 billion in funding from the state government to councils right across Queensland, and compares to the cuts of opposition leader David Crisafulli who as Local Government Minister slashed millions in funding for local governments.

Quotes attributable to Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon: 

“Across all three programs, we’ve delivered record funding of more than $500 million to deliver even more projects and importantly, even more local jobs.

“Whether it’s through this funding, Homes for Queenslanders or our city deals, only this government can be trusted to get on with the job of delivering infrastructure in partnership with councils to help make sure Queenslanders have the services that matter.

“David Crisafulli cut millions in funding for local councils when he was Local Government Minister, and now he’s refusing to reveal to Queenslanders his costings, because we know he’ll cut it again.”

ENDS