Almost $1 million in funding to improve access to rural services

Eight regional organisations will share in Queensland Government funding of almost $1 million statewide to develop community-based transport initiatives.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the Rural Service Access funding initiative was part of the $30 million Strengthening Rural Communities strategy, a key component of the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush.

“The Strengthening Rural Communities strategy aims to encourage communities to work together to increase their capacity and capabilities to build more socially, culturally and economically sustainable communities,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Rural Service Access initiative provides resources for local communities to establish coordinated transport schemes within their community or cluster of communities.

“Funding delivered under this initiative will improve access to services for a range of groups in rural and regional communities, including people with a disability, elderly people, young people or people with limited transport options,” Mr Pitt said.

“Applicants for funding under this initiative have developed a range of innovative ways that communities can improve transport options.”

Mr Pitt said projects which had been proposed included the use of school buses during downtime for general community services, upgrading existing buses for disability access, and linking with taxi services to help subsidise local travel for people in the community.

“I believe these projects will greatly improve residents’ access to services such as medical services, counselling services, youth groups and libraries”.

The Rural Service Access funding initiative will provide $3 million over three years for projects in the Blueprint for the Bush regions. A second round of successful applicants will be announced in the near future.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280

Note: See details outlining successful funding recipients below.

Successful Rural Service Access initiative recipients:

Wide Bay–Burnett
• $204,000 to Murgon-based Graham House Community Centre for its Transport Solutions initiative, which will provide services to South Burnett communities such as Murgon, Cherbourg, Kingaroy, Kilkivan and Wondai

North Queensland
• $63,501 to Rollingstone and District Seniors for the Thuringowa Northern Beaches community bus service
• $150,002 to Carpentaria Shire Council for the Gulf of Carpentaria local transport system

Far North Queensland
• $41,660 to NE and RM Hughes to upgrade and expand existing bus services, including purchasing a bus for public transport use. The funding will also allow increased services for the Indigenous community of Jumbun near Tully.
• $150,480 to Ravenshoe Community Centre for the Southern Tablelands Transport Link

Fitzroy – Central-West Queensland
• $150,000 to Muttaburra Community Development Association for their community bus project

Darling Downs and south-west Queensland
• $78,288 to Killarney and District Memorial Hospital Ltd for the Killarney integrated transport scheme
• $150,000 to Bulloo Shire Council for the Thargomindah transport scheme.