A splash park for the children in Wujal Wujal, upgrades to the airport terminal in Rockhampton, refurbishments at the Birdsville Tourist Park and a new toddler playground at Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve are just some of the projects that will benefit communities across the State, made possible through the $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program.
In total, 520 projects are being funded as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $6 billion economic recovery strategy Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs, which the councils expect will support or create more than 4,600 jobs.
In announcing the projects, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the pandemic had rocked the global economy. Australia is not immune, and Queensland is not immune.
“This program is specifically designed to help councils get their communities back on their feet as quickly as possible and minimise any long-term effects of the global coronavirus pandemic which is impacting economies around the world,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We’re continuing to manage the health response and that means we have started delivering Queensland’s plan for economic recovery – and this announcement is a big part of that plan.
“Our economic road to recovery is paved with jobs and the workforces attached to our councils and our communities.
“While there’s no doubt Queenslanders are resilient, I know these projects, and the jobs they create, will be extremely welcome during this tough time.
“Across the State, every council area is benefitting from the COVID Works for Queensland program.
“The long-term economic benefits these projects will deliver is a fantastic outcome and will go a long way to helping Queensland unite and recover.
“This initiative builds on the wonderfully successful $600 million Works for Queensland program that has already created or supported more than 19,000 jobs throughout regional Queensland.”
Projects are required to be completed by June 2021.
