With $1 million, South Burnett Region to boost public facilities, infrastructure and spaces

April 24, 2020

The South Burnett region will have a fresh look once numerous construction projects are completed, thanks to a $1 million investment through the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme Extension (DCPE), Maranoa MP David Littleproud said.

The programme is designed to use local tradies and local suppliers to build infrastructure as a stimulus for communities impacted by drought.

Mr Littleproud said drought doesn’t just impact farmers, it affects the communities that support them and they need help too.

“It’s great to see that parks, walkways, and public spaces like halls and tennis clubs will undergo improvements,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Whether it’s shade shelter for skaters at the Blackbutt Skate Park, refurbishment of the Kingaroy Town Hall or new pathways in Memerambi, the funding is going to really provide incentives for people interested in different activities to get out there and involved.

“There has been some great rainfall in the area in recent months but it takes more than one or two good falls of rain to get out of drought.

“Drought hurts financially and emotionally and to help guide farmers to the best support available, the South Burnett council will employ a drought response officer.

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

All Maranoa council regions are eligible to apply for funding through the Federal Government’s $300 million Drought Communities Programme, which is part of the Federal Governments $8 billion dollar commitment to drought.

DCPE-funded projects in the South Burnett Regional Council area include:

• Employment of a Drought Response Officer;
• Installation of shade structures over BBQ areas and new park equipment in Butter Factory Park & Pioneer Park, Nanango and Barambah Creek Rail Trail and Blackbutt Skate Park;
• Refurbishment of Nanango Park Furniture, Kingaroy’s Apex Lookout Park, Kingaroy Town Hall and upgrades to SES buildings
• Construction of pathways in Maidenwell, Kumbia, and Memerambi,
• Upgrading the pedestrian access/walkway along Bunya Avenue, Bunya Mountains,
• Maintenance works at Maidenwell Hall, Cloyna Hall, Proston Show Ground Pavilion, Durong Hall, Murgon QE2 Amenities Block, and Nanango Tennis Club
• Repainting at Kingaroy Heritage Museum and Kingaroy Children’s Pool
• Bitumen and drainage works.

ENDS