The Federal Government has announced Queensland will receive $33.6 million to fund eight projects as part of Round 2 of the Regional Development Australia Fund.

 

"The Federal Government is investing $33.6 million in eight projects across Queensland with a total value of more than $134 million," Federal Minister for  Regional Australia Simon Crean said.

 

"The local communities have responded to the challenge of developing creative proposals that stack up, effectively leverage other funding and sustain the economic and social future of their regions.

 

The projects selected in Queensland are:

  • $7.78 million to the Moreton Bay Regional Council towards the $44.89 million The Corso at the Lakes Construction;
  • $5 million to the Torres Strait Island Regional Council towards the $24 million Torres Strait Coastal Protection Works;
  • $5 million to the Ipswich City Council towards the $15 million Robelle Domain (Stage 2) Parkland Development;
  • $4.99 million to the Central Highlands Regional Council towards the $9.98 million Emerald Airport Apron Extension;
  • $4.99 million to the Mackay Regional Council towards the $29.10 million Mackay Regional Events Centre;
  • $3.40 million to ACT for Kids towards the $4.60 million ACT for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence;
  • $2 million to Toowoomba Regional Council towards the $5.5 million Toowoomba Regional Arts and Community Centre; and
  • $500,000 to the Somerset Regional Council towards the $1 million Kilcoy Showground Facility Development.

 

The announcement has been met with a mixed reception, with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) complaining that the majority of the funding is being allocated to towns and coastal cities rather than rural and remote communities.

 

Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam said while those communities that attracted funding would be grateful for the Government’s investment, rural and remote Queensland was entitled to be disappointed.

 

“This is the second time rural and remote communities have largely been passed over for regional development funding under this program,’’ Mr Hallam said.

 

“The Government seems to have a definition of regional development that excludes large parts of Queensland.’’