The Queensland Government has invested more than $10 million in infrastructure for the Mackay, the Whitsundays and Isaac regions as part of its Building our Regions program.
Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham, said the Queensland Government was partnering with Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday councils on projects in East Mackay, Nebo, Airlie Beach and Bowen, generating more than 63 jobs.
“Infrastructure projects spark jobs growth and flow-on business opportunities, keeping regional Queensland’s local economies ticking over and its communities strong.
“The foreshore revitalisation in Airlie Beach is a great example of how the Queensland Government is delivering for regional towns and improving the liveability for locals,” Mr Lynham said.
“This project will also drive economic growth in Airlie beach, particularly in the area of tourism which is vitally important as communities continue to recover from the effects of tropical cyclone Debbie.”
Member for Mirani, Jim Pearce, said Building our Regions is all about making sure communities such as those in the Isaac region benefit from the state’s economic successes.
“Reinvesting royalties in this latest round of the Queensland Government’s $375 million Building our Regions program will generate 438 jobs across 65 projects right across regional Queensland,” Mr Pearce said.
“With this latest round the program has delivered a total of more than $12.4 million for three projects in the Isaac region.”
Previous rounds of the program have already allocated $156.7 million to 109 critical infrastructure projects across the state, generating 1324 jobs and attracting more than $277 million investment from councils and other organisations.
Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, said Mackay and the surrounding communities were benefiting from the government’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure across regional Queensland.
“Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday towns from Collinsville to Moranbah have benefited from almost $13.7 million allocated under previous rounds – four of these projects are already complete or underway,” Ms Gilbert said.
“These include redevelopment projects at the Mackay showground which will benefit the local economy for years to come, and other projects such as a resource recovery centre, a reservoir and sewage pump station upgrades.”
The new projects funded by this round of Building our Regions include:
- Drainage system upgrades to increase flood immunity in East Mackay with $1,804,306 from the Queensland Government and $2,005,686 from Mackay Regional Council
- A new reservoir and treatment plant to secure water supply in Nebo with $3,550,000 from the Queensland Government and $3,550,000 from Isaac Regional Council
- Revitalising the foreshore in Airlie Beach to improve liveability and draw tourists, as well as an expansion of the recycled water network in Bowen with $4,853,500 from the Queensland Government and $5,530,525 from Whitsunday Regional Council
