Rural service access initiative funding announced

Two south-west Queensland community 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.”

In the Darling Downs and south-west Queensland area, the beneficiaries are:

• $78,288 to the Killarney and District Memorial Hospital for the Killarney integrated transport scheme
• $150,000 to the Bulloo Shire Council for the Thargomindah transport scheme.

“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.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280