Upgrades to the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, maintenance on sewerage and water infrastructure, and installing estuary fish habitat reefs in the Pioneer River were just some of the items Mackay Regional Council discussed with Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe when he visited the region.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said each of the projects had been submitted by the Mackay Regional Council to be considered for funding through the Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program.
Ms Gilbert said it was important to meet with the council and discuss how the two levels of government could work together to benefit the community.
“The pandemic is having widespread impacts, and these have been incredibly tough times for our communities as well as for the councils,” she said.
“Our councils are continuing to do an outstanding job by delivering services and infrastructure for their regions, towns and cities.
“I’m really pleased that I was able to work with Minister Hinchliffe to secure this funding for Mackay.”
Mr Hinchliffe said the projects would support jobs and improve infrastructure in the region.
“Mackay Regional Council has been allocated $6.93 million through the COVID Works for Queensland program and it will go a long way to helping the community bounce back,” he said.
“The Palaszczuk Government is here to stand with all of our councils, shoulder-to-shoulder, to help unite and recover from the effects of COVID-19.
“This funding builds on the $600 million Works for Queensland program, through which Mackay Regional Council has received $32.42 million, helping deliver 81 projects, which have supported or created 873 local jobs so far.”
Across the region, upgrades to footpaths and roads, construction of playgrounds and amenities, and improvements to water and sewerage infrastructure have been funded through this program.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson thanked the Queensland Government for its support.
“There’s no question that Works for Queensland has helped our council deliver job-creating projects that are improving liveability across the region,” Mayor Williamson said.
“I expect the projects funded through the COVID Works for Queensland program will have similar benefits for the community.”
The $600 million Works for Queensland program has created or supported more than 19,000 jobs throughout regional Queensland.
