Backing Balonne businesses

September 9, 2021

Four projects in Maranoa worth more than $3.4 million will receive funding under the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development program’s third round, providing jobs and economic stimulus to the region.

Member for Maranoa and Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said the projects selected could get up and running quickly.

“These grants focus on providing work for local small businesses and vital employment opportunities in our region while at the same time providing enduring benefits to communities. It’s a win-win,” Mr Littleproud said.

“This funding will provide tangible support to our communities – employing people to erect hundreds of kilometres of wild dog fencing and making work available to carpenters, painters, electricians and glaziers to improve facades and business premises on the main streets of our towns.

“The projects will provide an important stimulus now and, in the long term, also provide our communities with better infrastructure, our farmers with business acumen, and our businesses with better facilities.

“I congratulate the Balonne Shire Council on all four of their successful projects that will see businesses mentoring and improvements, St George CBD upgrades and more funding for Wild Dog fencing.”

The successful Maranoa projects are:

• Balonne Shire Council, Queensland – Business mentoring for agricultural and horticultural sectors – $327,000
• Balonne Shire Council, Queensland – St George CBD Upgrades and Beautification for Victoria Street – $600,000
• Balonne Shire Council, Queensland – Wild Dog Exclusion Fencing Stage 2 –$1.5 million
• Balonne Shire Council, Queensland – Balonne Business Improvement Scheme – $1 million

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the focus was on selecting projects that could provide jobs.

“We need to support those small businesses affected by COVID now and into the future,” Minister Pitt said.

“The Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program is all about listening to the good ideas communities generate – and supporting those that can make the most difference to the future prosperity of our rural and regional communities.”

The latest $5.4 million in grants under this round builds on the $28 million previously announced and the nearly $39 million approved through round 1 and 2 of the program.

For more information on the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Grant Program visit the website.

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