Published Wednesday, 19 December, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Barcaldine gets Blueprint funding for grey nomads project
The Queensland Government has allocated more than $100,000 through its Blueprint for the Bush initiative to Barcaldine Shire Council to coordinate local projects for the thousands of “grey nomads” that visit the area each year.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the grey nomads – 50-plus travellers who caravan around Australia in their retirement years – brought various skills and expertise to the communities they visited.
Mr Pitt made the announcement in Barcaldine on the first day of a two-day visit to central and south-west centres with Blueprint for the Bush executive partner, Agforce president Peter Kenny.
“The State Government has committed $100,328 through the Blueprint for the Bush’s Our Place Our Future program for Barcaldine Shire’s Caravanning to the Horizon project,” Mr Pitt said.
“We’ve all heard of the grey nomads and I’m sure most of us even know some of the hundreds of thousands of wanderers who travel around the country each year, bringing vibrancy and increased tourism revenue to many regional communities.
“This funding will help Barcaldine Shire employ a local co-ordinator to organise and manage local activities and projects that take advantage of the expertise and skills of the estimated 2000 grey nomads who visit the area each year.
“These projects could include helping with high school careers markets, getting involved in the development of recreational facilities at Lagoon Creek or helping with displays at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre.”
Mr Pitt said the Our Place, Our Future program would provide more than $7.4 million over three years to help to improve community sustainability through social, cultural, environmental and/or economic development initiatives.
“This funding is another example of the government’s commitment to the Barcaldine community. In fact, since 1998, we have committed more than $6.26 million for projects in the shire,” he said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the grey nomads – 50-plus travellers who caravan around Australia in their retirement years – brought various skills and expertise to the communities they visited.
Mr Pitt made the announcement in Barcaldine on the first day of a two-day visit to central and south-west centres with Blueprint for the Bush executive partner, Agforce president Peter Kenny.
“The State Government has committed $100,328 through the Blueprint for the Bush’s Our Place Our Future program for Barcaldine Shire’s Caravanning to the Horizon project,” Mr Pitt said.
“We’ve all heard of the grey nomads and I’m sure most of us even know some of the hundreds of thousands of wanderers who travel around the country each year, bringing vibrancy and increased tourism revenue to many regional communities.
“This funding will help Barcaldine Shire employ a local co-ordinator to organise and manage local activities and projects that take advantage of the expertise and skills of the estimated 2000 grey nomads who visit the area each year.
“These projects could include helping with high school careers markets, getting involved in the development of recreational facilities at Lagoon Creek or helping with displays at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre.”
Mr Pitt said the Our Place, Our Future program would provide more than $7.4 million over three years to help to improve community sustainability through social, cultural, environmental and/or economic development initiatives.
“This funding is another example of the government’s commitment to the Barcaldine community. In fact, since 1998, we have committed more than $6.26 million for projects in the shire,” he said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819