Refurbishing Panguna Reservoir, improving water security and quality in Yungaburra, and upgrading Kowanyama Airport are just some of the 20 Far North infrastructure and planning projects to receive funding through the Queensland Government's Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP).
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council would receive over $1 million to upgrade the Everlina Plaza building.
"The existing Hope Vale Supermarket will be transformed into a store of the future," she said.
"The project will provide building upgrades and an external face-lift, opening up the front of the Everlina Plaza building to customers which include locals, visitors and tourists.
"The project also includes installing signage in local Guugu Yimithirr language with English translation.
"This is great news for the community, supporting jobs in construction ang longer-term retail jobs."
Ms Lui said funding would also go toward housing projects to help retain a skilled workforce for the region
"We're investing $2.08 million for Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council to construct a two new duplexes that can house up to 8 staff members, which will help with retaining skilled workforce," she said.
"Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council will use $1.41 million to build two staff housing duplexes."
"these upgrades will help attract and retain skilled people into the community.
"Funding of $1.14 million will go toward upgrading the Torres Strait Island Regional Council fuel infrastructure to ensure remote Torres Strait Island communities have safe and sustainable access to reliable diesel and petrol fuels.
"This is essential to access the only affordable modes of transport to support local employment."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government Steven Miles said it was just one of 80 infrastructure and planning projects to share in almost $86 million.
"This grants program is designed to support councils to deliver priority infrastructure projects that improve the liveability of communities and support economic growth and employment," Mr Miles said.
"The successful projects tick all the boxes, with the 80 approved projects expected to create approximately 1,800 jobs in areas where they are most needed.
"That's a great result for local economies, the councils and their communities, and there are many more projects to be announced."
As well as going towards new infrastructure, the LGGSP is also aimed at extending the functional life of existing infrastructure and improving asset management, helping councils stretch their budgets.
Other projects in Far North Queensland include funding towards:
- maintaining and the sewer system in Douglas Shire Council
- a planning study for the future infrastructure in Lakeland in Cook Shire Council
- replacing an existing and aged water pipeline and developing an Asset Management Framework and Plan for Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
- moving and upgrading the LP Gas Storage Facility in Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council to improve safety and increase storage capacity,
- detailed designed for the Bicentennial Lakes Active Recreation Upgrade in Mareeba Shire Council
- upgrading Mareeba Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Pump Station to make it more flood resistant
- upgrades to Kowanyama Airport Fuel Farm in Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council
- developing a masterplan for Thursday Island Sports Centre in Torres Shire Council. The Sports Centre was first built in 1984. The masterplan will focus on revitalisation and modernisation and map out future upgrades for the Island's only Sports Centre
