North West communities receive Blueprint for the Bush funding

A tourist trail and the LEAP project are two of the North West Queensland community projects to be funded under the latest round of Blueprint for the Bush funding.

Betty Kiernan the Member for Mount Isa said the region would share in more than $140,000 in Queensland Government funding towards key local community projects.

“The 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,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that North West communities will receive $140,239 through round two of this year’s Our Place, Our Future initiative.

“Our Place, Our Future aims to strengthen and enhance the relationships between rural and urban areas, as well as building the networks and support needed to attract and retain skilled workers.”

The successful projects are:

·$44,038 for the Mount Isa Community Development Association Inc to establish a ‘Tourist Trail’ from Fountain Springs Rest Area through Bulonga, Ballara and Hightville,

·$96,201 for the Mount Isa Community Development Association Inc to continue the LEAP project for two years and develop processes and policies to support the long-term sustainability of the project.

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the Bligh Government was strongly committed to building strong and sustainable communities across rural and remote Queensland.

"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,” Mrs Kiernan said.

"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."

Media contact: Betty Kiernan’s office 4743 5149