$1 million to churn out new facilities in the Barcaldine region

February 27, 2020

Building a jetty, community centre and desilting Lagoon Creek are just a few of the key goals for the Barcaldine Regional Council, thanks in part to a $1 million Drought Communities Programme (DCP) investment, Maranoa MP David Littleproud announced today.

“This funding is part of the Federal Government’s $8 billion drought response, to upgrade local infrastructure and give people more reason to be active and involved in the community,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The projects will deliver an immediate cash injection to help keep locals employed, businesses open, money flowing through the Barcaldine region and more reasons to support community facilities and events.

“While there has been good falls of rain, it takes more than one or two wet events to get out of drought and recover.

“One of the great things about DCP is that funds are driven down into local groups who have a say in which local is contracted to make the upgrades.

“When community groups make these informed decisions, they are justifying projects that are worthwhile.

“Drought certainly impacts on how we manage our businesses and personal lives, but it does not have to change how we get involved and support the community.”

DCP-funded projects in the Barcaldine Regional Council include:

• Solar installations on Council facilities in Barcaldine;
• Construction of a community centre in Alpha;
• Construction of a new shelter for the Aunt Emma train and carriage, Aramac Tramway Museum;
• Construction of a jetty at the Barcaldine Recreation Park;
• Construction of a shade shelter over the Jericho skate park;
• Installation of ELD signs in each community;
• Desilting of Lagoon Creek at Barcaldine
• Construction of a tourism site.

All Maranoa council regions are eligible to apply for funding through the Federal Government’s $300 million Drought Communities Programme Extension round.

ENDS