Communities across North West and Far West Queensland will see more jobs, increased liveability and stronger local economies with the approval of more than $14.25 million towards priority local infrastructure projects.
Works will include installing automatic water meters in Mount Isa, upgrading the Bedourie town bore in Diamantina, a new civic centre in Mornington Shire, and a new reservoir in Hughenden, made possible through the Queensland Government's more than $58.5 million 2019-21 Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP).
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe congratulated the North West and Far West Queensland councils on their successful projects.
"I applaud the councils and their initiative in recognising the need for these projects as well as securing the funding to help deliver them," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"This Government has committed to creating employment opportunities and these projects will do just that.
"Upgrading or building new infrastructure has an immediate positive impact on the liveability of a town or city.
"This can have fantastic spinoffs such as creating jobs, retaining and growing a population base and generating business confidence to invest locally."
Mount Isa City Council Mayor Joyce McCulloch says the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program has been invaluable in assisting Council to deliver or improve popular public amenities and infrastructure that is of great value to residents.
"To have this assistance from the State Government was very welcome," Mayor McCulloch said.
"For example, in 2016 Council was successful in receiving $417,500 from the LGGSP for a revitalisation of our Family Fun Park, which is a very popular community asset in Mount Isa.
"This is a terrific funding program that not only helps us deliver priority infrastructure, it gives the region a genuine economic boost.
"We are particularly happy the program once again has a two-year timeframe which will help the council budget efficiently and stretch the funding further."
North West and Far West Queensland communities will benefit from:
- Boulia Shire Council receiving $279,866 to install security cameras and to reline the Urandangi water tanks
- Carpentaria Shire Council receiving more than $2.35 million to stabilise the Glenore Weir
- Cloncurry Shire Council receiving $597,489 to reinstate the main well at Cloncurry River
- Diamantina Shire Council receiving $405,814 to upgrade the Bedourie town bore and to install security cameras in Birdsville and Bedourie
- Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council receiving $463,507 for additional staff housing
- Flinders Shire Council receiving more than $2.86 million for a new 4.3ML reservoir in Hughenden
- Mornington Shire Council receiving more than $5.3 million for stage 2 of the new civic centre
- Mount Isa City Council receiving more than $1.7 million to install automatic water meter reading devices
- Richmond Shire Council receiving $207,000 for a new artesian bore
The $58.56 million 2019-21 Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program is designed to provide funding assistance to support Local Governments to deliver priority infrastructure and essential services that meet the identified needs of their communities.
The Local Government and Grants and Subsidies Program projects must be completed by 30 June 2021.
