Eighteen Far North Queensland councils are in the running for a share of $70 million as part of Round 3 of the Palaszczuk Government’s Building our Regions program.
34 projects have been shortlisted in the Far North Queensland region, out of a total of 127 projects shortlisted across the state.
“It is pleasing to see the variety of shortlisted projects in the region — including airport upgrades, recreation and community facility improvements, and water and sewerage network upgrades,” said Minister for State Development, Dr Anthony Lynham.
“Far North Queensland councils with shortlisted projects are seeking a total of almost $16.64 million from Building our Regions.
“Detailed applications will open shortly and all councils will have to demonstrate compelling reasons for their projects to gain funding.”
The funds come from the government’s $375 million Building our Regions infrastructure program, which is reinvesting royalties in regional Queensland.
So far, $150 million has been allocated to 93 critical infrastructure projects, supporting almost 1300 jobs.
The projects are attracting a further $275 million investment from councils and other organisations.
22 far north projects from Mapoon to Mission Beach have already been allocated almost $24 million under previous rounds of Building our Regions.
“They range from water supply and sewerage, to enabling infrastructure for aged care, and community facilities,” Mr Lynham said.
“The next stage of assessment will be very competitive and I urge councils to contact my Department of State Development (DSD) for further advice on developing their detailed applications.”
Detailed applications will then undergo a rigorous assessment process by DSD and an advisory committee of senior Queensland Government executives.
Dr Lynham said he expected successful projects to be announced in mid-2017 with construction of these projects expected to start no later than 30 April 2018.
Shortlisted projects from Far North Queensland councils are:
Aurukun Shire Council
- Aurukun Works Depot Upgrade
- Aurukun Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
Cairns Regional Council
- Earlville Trunk Sewer Network Improvement
- Mt Whitfield North Flood Mitigation Project
- Saltwater Creek Drainage Remediation
Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Tully Landfill Remediation Capping – Stage 2
- Wheatleys Hill Water Reserve
Cook Shire Council
- Coen Landfill Leachate Infrastructure Upgrade
Douglas Shire Council
- Port Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Etheridge Shire Council
- Georgetown Multipurpose Gymnasium Project
- Charleston Dam Solar Pump Station
- Charleston Dam Recreational Precinct
Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council
- Hope Vale Fibre Optic Project
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council
- Kowanyama Airport Terminal Upgrade — Stage 1
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council
- Lockhart River Airport Terminal
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
- Mapoon Dust Reduction Project
- Mapoon Machinery Shelter Upgrade
- Mapoon Airport Lighting Upgrade
Mareeba Shire Council
- Kenneally Road Sewer Upgrade
Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council
- Napranum Aged Care Service Infrastructure Upgrade
- Napranum Street Lighting Upgrade
- Napranum Community Eatery Refurbishment
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
- Northern Peninsular Airport Terminal
Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council
- Pormpuraaw Sporting Facility
- Pormpuraaw Workshop Upgrade
Torres Shire Council
- Horn Island Airport Boundary Fence
- Thursday Island Helipad Safety Upgrade
Weipa Town Authority
- Rocky Point Sewer Upgrade
- Rocky Point Hibberd Centre Renovation
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council
- Wujal Wujal Transfer Station and Wash Down Bay
Yarrabah Aboriginal State Council
- Yarrabah CCTV Security Project
- Yarrabah Flood Mitigation Project
- Yarrabah Street Lighting Upgrade
- Reeves Creek Water Main Upgrade
