Deb Frecklington criticises budget for failing South Burnett region

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington argued it failed to address crucial needs in the South Burnett region. See what did get money.

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington Budget 2024

The 2024/25 State Labor Budget has come under fire from Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, who claims it fails to deliver any new local projects for the South Burnett region.

Ms Frecklington highlighting a lack of funding for crucial local roads, health services, and water infrastructure.

“I can’t believe how bad this budget is for my region,” Ms Frecklington said.

“I can safely say this is the worst state budget for the Nanango electorate I have ever seen.

“In fact, all I could find was a big battery and a wind farm,” she said.

$116.4 million has been allocated for the Southern Renewable Energy Zone Battery at the Tarong Power Station.

The battery will have the capacity to supply 300 megawatts (two hours) of energy into the National Electricity Market, making it one of the largest battery energy storage systems in Queensland.

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Ms Frecklington emphasised the neglect of road infrastructure, pointing out that no projects were funded to address the region’s deteriorating roads and bridges.

She highlighted the Tanduringie Creek Bridge, known for a near-collision between a school bus and a truck a few years ago, as a critical project that remains unfunded.

Similarly, she mentioned funding for the GS Bond Bridge on the Chinchilla-Wondai Road is still entangled in red tape.

Ms Frecklington expressed disappointment over the omission of funding for the Kingaroy Hospital short stay unit.

“This unit could take so much pressure off our emergency department, and in-patient ward at the hospital and it needs to be opened,” she said.

Deborah (Deb) Frecklington. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“There’s no funding for a paediatrician to be based at the Kingaroy hospital, or a cancer care nurse. I will not give up on achieving these vital services for my community.”

Ms Frecklington noted that emergency services are neglected in the budget.

She said Blackbutt police officers must endure another year in a substandard, unsafe station, and the Kingaroy Fire Station remains outdated with no capacity for the upcoming 24/7 staffing model.

Ms Frecklington also criticised the lack of investment in long-term water security projects, such as the Barlil Weir and Blackbutt Irrigation Scheme, which she considers priorities for the community.

“These projects are my priority because they are the priorities of my local community.

“There are less than 150 days until the next election and I will continue to advocate for the services and infrastructure the people of the Nanango Electorate deserve,” she said.

Along with the $116.4 million for the battery at the Tarong power station, $50.2 million will be spent to replace and refurbish handling equipment and infrastructure at the Tarong Meandu mine.

More than $650,000 into local sports clubs and amenities around the region to support active recreation as part of the Activate! Queensland initiative, including $225,000 to upgrade courts to support netball at Nanango.

What did you want to see funded in the budget? Let us know in the comments.