Southern Queensland wins $15M Sustainable Regions Funding
19th November, 2007
A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $15 million over three years for a new Sustainable Regions program in Southern Queensland to boost jobs, economic growth and community infrastructure.Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, who announced the funding in Kingaroy today, said the new region will cover 23 shires from the Balonne Shire in the south west up to Monto in the north east (see attached map).
“Sustainable Regions is an innovative program offering local proponents, whether they are individuals, or from community-based or private enterprise organisations, the opportunity to create solutions to local challenges," Mr Truss said.
The Coalition’s Plan for the Southern Queensland Sustainable Region includes:
Balonne Shire Mundubbera Shire
Booringa Shire Wambo Shire
Warroo Shire Perry Shire
Bungil Shire Gayndah Shire
Bendemere Shire Wondai Shire
Taroom Shire Kingaroy Shire
Murilla Shire Nanango Shire
Tara Shire Cherbourg Community
Waggamba Shire Kilkivan Shire
Chinchilla Shire Murgon Shire
Eidsvold Shire Biggenden Shire
Monto Shire
“The Sustainable Regions program provides targeted support to defined geographic regions. The program offers a planned approach to regions such as Southern Queensland which are facing economic, social and environmental change,” Mr Truss said.
“We have identified the Southern Queensland region as being in need of assistance - based on a range of socio-economic indicators including real incomes, education levels and diversity of the economy. The impact of the drought has also been a big factor in choosing this particular region.
“This Sustainable Regions project is another example of the Howard/Vaile Government working in partnership with local communities to build a stronger regional Australia," he said.
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“Parts of this new region have received assistance under the previous Wide Bay Burnett Sustainable Region initiative. This new funding will enable local communities in the Burnett to consolidate on projects established under the previous initiative and continue to build a better future.
“Myself, Bruce Scott, the Federal Member for Maranoa, Paul Neville, the Federal Member for Hinkler, and Glenn Churchill, The Nationals Candidate for Flynn, have lobbied hard to win this funding for the local area and I’m sure it will be of great assistance in the region.”
Mr Truss said the Sustainable Regions funding would help the region diversify its industry base, create jobs and build new infrastructure.
“The best thing about this program is that it is built from the ground up — local communities tell us what they need and we provide support.
“A re-elected Coalition will establish a local advisory committee to develop priorities for the region, provide advice to the Government on local issues and make recommendations on project funding,” he said.
The Sustainable Regions program aims to:
• Strengthen regional economic and social opportunities;
• Sustain our productive natural resources and environment;
• Deliver better regional services; and
• Help communities adjust to economic, technological and government-induced change.
For more information on the Sustainable Regions program, visit www.sustainableregions.gov.au
ENDS
