Rural communities share $1 million in Blueprint for the Bush funding

A cultural heritage walk, an environment expo and a church renovation are some of the projects across Queensland to benefit under the latest round of Blueprint for the Bush funding.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government Annastacia Palaszczuk said 18 organisations throughout the state would share $1,072,015 for a range of community projects.

“The State Government’s Blueprint for the Bush – Strengthening Rural Communities program offers grants to help rural communities develop and implement projects to improve community capacity, access to transport services and the image of rural areas,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Today I am pleased to announce the details of more than $1 million in grants being distributed through the latest round of the Our Place, Our Future initiative.

“Our Place, Our Future aims to strengthen relationships between rural and urban areas, and build the networks and support needed to attract and retain skilled workers in the bush.”

Some of the successful projects include:

·$12,500 for Dalby Regional Council to undertake the planning process to establish a cultural history walk at Miles

·$104,640 over two years for Blackall-Tambo Regional Council to implement the Tambo Urban Design Strategy and Shire Sports Plan, which will promote long-term sustainability for the community

·$19,950 for the Woodgate and District Residents Association to hold the two-day Woodgate Natural and Built Environment Expo

·$20,000 for Reef Catchments Mackay Whitsunday to conduct a multi-disciplinary ‘Best Practice Fire Management’ project in the Upper Pioneer and Sarina valleys

·$69,984 for Towers Players to repair and renovate the St Paul’s Playhouse for use by the broader community in Charters Towers.

“The Bligh Government is committed to building strong and sustainable communities across rural and remote Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

"One of the major goals of the Blueprint for the Bush is for communities to be viable and strong so it is important that they have access to such funding initiatives.

"Our ongoing investment through the program helps to deliver practical measures to address rural community development issues, assist effective community engagement and help implement existing community plans."