The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Colin Boyce
LNP candidate for Flynn
MEDIA RELEASE
COALITION ROLLS UP WITH FUNDS TO UPGRADE GLADSTONE BOWLS CLUB
Gladstone Bowls Club will be upgraded into a multi-purpose community space to better meet the needs of local residents, with the Coalition committing $250,000 towards the $500,000 project.
The commitment will allow the bowls club to complete stage one of the planned upgrade, which will include a specific area for the local RSL, so it can offer welfare, support and PTSD counselling to local veterans.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said this investment from the Coalition Government would provide the funding shortfall the club needed to get the works done, after the cost of the project increased by more than 30 per cent due to COVID.
With this commitment, building can resume immediately.
"While there were unfortunate consequences from the pandemic, regional Australia is having a resurgence following COVID," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"Regional Australia has never been more attractive to millions of Australians. As the only political party from regional Australia that understands this, we stand ready to meet these challenges.
"The Nationals and Liberals are the only parties that understand the regions, which is why we're investing locally to build the infrastructure that we know communities need and deserve.
"I've been travelling through regional Australia for months and what I hear from people every day is that they want a government that supports them to build a stronger future."
The project will upgrade amenities and access, extend the ground floor, install shade around the green, build a new restaurant and bar facilities and install new outdoor seating.
LNP Candidate for Flynn Colin Boyce applauded the funding commitment to the upgrade project, particularly its provision of support to the RSL and its important services.
"As well as upgrades to the building, the addition of the RSL drop-in centre will give our local veterans support, which is so important," Mr Boyce said.
"The bowls club is a real gathering place for locals, including our veterans, and these upgrades will help make it an even better spot for people to get together and spend time.
"The Coalition will continue to deliver for the people of Gladstone through a strong economy. In contrast, Anthony Albanese has no economic plan and no plan for regional Queensland."
