Flynn electorate funding commitments inside federal budget 22-23 for Gladstone, Tannum Sands, Emerald, Gracemere, Biloela, Agnes Water
The federal budget handed down on Tuesday night seeks to address national issues like inflation, cost of living, healthcare, and housing but here’s all of the local announcements budgeted for the Flynn electorate.
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Despite losing the battle for Flynn, Labor will honour its election pledges for Queensland’s industrial powerhouse, budget papers have revealed.
From the long-awaited pool at Boyne-Tannum, to an urgent upgrade of the Bruce Hwy towards Rockhampton, the Australian Labor Party has recommitted to all previous announcement for the massive Central Queensland electorate of Flynn.
Agnes Water, Emerald, Biloela, Gracemere, Boyne Island, and Gladstone all feature in the 2022-2023 Budget handed down by Australian Treasurer, Jim Chalmers on Tuesday night.
Queensland Labor Senator, Murray Watt confirmed the list of pledges for Central Queensland and said the Budget would benefit people in the region by way of better roads, cheaper medicines, cheaper childcare, affordable housing, access to sport, and job training.
Gladstone Regional Council Mayor, and former ALP Flynn candidate, Matt Burnett said it was the best budget he’d seen in years and was excited that every commitment made would be honoured.
“We worked really hard during the campaign and in the years before it to get the support for these projects and it’s great that the new Federal Labor Government has funded them in this budget,” Mr Burnett said.
“It is also great that the funding is spread right across Central Queensland and not just here in Gladstone,” he said.
“Locals saw it right throughout the campaign, childcare, healthcare aged care, we can and this is a budget addressing exactly that.”
However, Flynn MP, Colin Boyce slammed the Budget for withdrawing the Building Better Regions Fund from the previous Morrison Government and said it did nothing to assist the family budget of Flynn residents.
“It’s clear Labor’s Budget is one for metropolitan Australia and not for regional and rural Australia,” Mr Boyce said.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath with some of these commitments, there’s a lot of red tape involved and with the regional fund restructured and depleted there will be a lot less money to go around the entire country,” he said.
He also raised concerns for the agriculture sector’s workforce and said cost of living pressures exacerbated by soaring energy prices were partly the fault of the state and federal governments “mad rush” towards renewable energy targets.
Budgeted items for Flynn Electorate, by location (A-Z)
Agnes Water health facility $150,000
Commitment to refurbish the building to improve existing services and attract, recruit and retain new GPs.
Biloela Industrial Estate $2m
Stage 3B of the Raedon St Estate
Biloela Valleys Rugby/Soccer Club $600,000
Upgraded change rooms at the multi-sport ground
Boyne Island, Tannum Sands aquatic centre $15m
The Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre (BTARC) will be funded, identified as one of Gladstone Regional Council’s (GRC) strategic priorities.
Boyne Tannum Football Club $1.3m
Funding for Football (Soccer) Clubhouse Facilities at Boyne Tannum Sharks Football Club
The Labor Party did originally match the Coalition’s election pledge of $2.5m, however, that figures has dropped by $1.2m
Bruce Hwy Upgrade $200m
Upgrade Bruce Highway between Gladstone and Rockhampton, including passing and dual lanes, new overtaking lanes on the Gavial-Gracemere link, and a range of other improvements.
Calliope intersection upgrade $4.8m
Drynan Drive upgrade with funding contribution from state government to deliver safety and capacity improvements ahead of the new high school being built.
Central Queensland University
About 364 additional places secured for Central Queensland University (CQU) as part of $80m funding across state that will see more than 2,800 uni spots open up.
CQU Great Barrier Reef research centre $15m
The new Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) will be based at CQU and allow the university to hire additional specialist staff and establish a new research centre in Gladstone.
Deepwater National Park Fire Trail Emergency Management $2m
Emerald Mobile Black Spot $750,000
Emerald health clinic refurb $2.8m
Central Highlands Allied Health Clinic and Impact Community Health refurb enabling resources and space for trainees
Gladstone Port Access Road extension $100m
Improved access to the port for heavy vehicles and improve safety by reducing congestion for all road users.
Gladstone Regional Indoor Sports Complex $10m
A ‘basketball stadium’ which will host a number of community and professional sporting events and competitions.
Gladstone Bowls Club & RSL $250,000
Gladstone Bowls Club and Gladstone Returned Services League (RSL) Sub Branch funding for renovations
Gracemere Emergency Communications System $500,000
Comms system Shared between Flynn and Capricornia electorates.
Hinterland Community Care Expansion – $250,000
Inland Rail extension to Gladstone business case
Labor’s commitment to fund the business case for an Inland Rail extension to Gladstone
Multiculturalism $140,000
Integreat Queensland food truck $30,000
Integreat QLD Annual Flourish Festival (Gladstone and Biloela) $110,000
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