A high-priority drought relief project is progressing in the Boulia Shire in Queensland, with $1 million in funding approved under the Australian Government's Drought Communities Programme (DCP) Extension.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said now more than ever, the Government is proud to support regional Australia during the added challenge of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
"The Government is aware of the added challenges presented by COVID-19. Communities should rest assured the Government continues to have their back, with an economic support package of nearly $314 billion in assistance announced to date," Minister Littleproud said.
"This includes the $2.8 billion package to assist local government in the delivery of priority projects with a focus on roads, community infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
"Under this package, the $1.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program, and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion from the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payments will help communities battling the effects of COVID-19."
The Boulia project will include upgrading community halls and assets; upgrading facilities and communication capabilities at the Boulia Racecourse Reserve/Rodeo Grounds; repairing footpaths and drains; upgrading the Min Min Encounter Tourism and Visitor Information Centre; installing a Water Monitoring System for Urandangi water supply; and contributing, with the Winton Shire Council and Telstra, to a small cell network connection between Boulia and Winton.
LNP Senator for Queensland, Susan McDonald said she was pleased to see the Boulia project is ready to move forward.
"The Australian Government is providing $1 million to the Boulia Shire Council to support the roll out of the Boulia Shire DCP Extension 2 project," Senator McDonald said.
"The project will provide long lasting benefits for the Boulia community which has been significantly impacted.
"Having visited Boulia recently, I'm pleased to see the Min Min Encounter Centre will be upgraded. This attraction features animatronic characters who tell the story of the famous Min Min lights seen regularly in Outback Queensland.
"This and so much other work being done on community infrastructure in the town demonstrates the Morrison Government's commitment to regional Queensland and is a credit to the hard work being done by Mayor Rick Britton, the local councilors and council staff."
Minister Littleproud said DCP Extension projects, such as Boulia's, deliver an immediate cash injection to help keep locals employed, businesses open, money flowing through drought-affected regional economies.
"The Government is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our regional and rural communities that have been doing it tough through drought and will be here to support them through dedicated initiatives such as the DCP Extension," he said.
"Drought doesn't just hurt farmers; it hurts small businesses and the wider community as well, but with DCP Extension funding we can keep money flowing through areas that have been affected.
"So far, the DCP Extension has funded nearly 500 projects, such as the construction of local tourism assets and amenities blocks, delivery of a potable water supply, community resilience events and employing local drought support officers."
