Blueprint funds new $1 million services centre for Charters Towers

Community services in Charters Towers are set to expand and improve with the Queensland Government announcing $1 million to establish a rural multi-tenant service centre in the city.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt will present a cheque for $1 million for the multi-tenant service centre during a morning tea at the Dalrymple Shire Council chambers today.

“I congratulate the Charters Towers Neighbourhood Centre on developing a successful business case for a services centre in the area, which is part of a $5.4 million initiative to streamline and integrate community services in rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

“The initiative aims to encourage community-based organisations, local government and other government agencies to co-locate and work together.”

Mr Pitt is visiting areas in north Queensland this week to learn more about regional initiatives associated with Blueprint for the Bush.

“One year after its launch, the Blueprint for the Bush continues to build momentum and make a positive, lasting impact in the bush,” Mr Pitt said.

“As lead agency, the Department of Communities has fostered more than 170 Blueprint for the Bush initiatives across 22 government agencies — helping to build strong and vibrant communities in rural and regional Queensland.”

Today’s morning tea will be attended by representatives from local groups that have received funding through Blueprint for the Bush initiatives.

“Communities in the Charters Towers area are growing stronger thanks to almost $1.2 million in funding as part of the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush,” Mr Pitt said.

“I look forward to hearing more about the vital work that local organisations are doing to achieve the blueprint’s vision for strong and vibrant communities in rural and regional Queensland.”

Blueprint-funded initiatives in the Charters Towers area include:

• $20,000 to the Gudjal Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, through the Our Place, Our Future program, to build long-term strategies for local Indigenous people and to establish a “keeping place” in Charters Towers
• $18,500 Our Place, Our Future funding to the Feral Arts Association to support a community-wide digital story-telling and communications project
• $99,500 Strengthening Rural Indigenous Non-Government Organisations funding for Jupiter Mossman to deliver governance training to Indigenous non-government organisations
• $18,500 Our Place, Our Future funding to the Charters Towers Neighbourhood Centre to help stage the Yingu festival, held last weekend (26 August).

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280 or 0417 789 208

Photo opportunity: Minister Pitt will present an over-sized cheque for $1 million to the Charters Towers community to establish a rural multi-tenant service centre in the city

WHERE: Dalrymple Shire Council Chambers, Charters Towers

WHEN: 10.30 am