Your indepth Queensland Budget day guide for Burnett region
It’s been a mixed bag for regional and rural communities as the Queensland Government delivers this year’s state budget. Here’s where South and North Burnett region stands.
South Burnett
Don't miss out on the headlines from South Burnett. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SOUTH AND NORTH BURNETT
THE Burnett region may not have got the biggest slice of the Queensland Budget pie this year but local road-users were the big winners as Treasurer Cameron Dick confirmed a few small offerings during the annual lockdown in the State Parliament.
The Times can confirm health, education, mining and infrastructure projects were high on the budget agenda with one local project taking the lion’s share of funding.
Around $50.1m will go to Meandu Mine for its development, mine fleet and other much needed works. This money will help fund the replacement and refurbishment of handling equipment and infrastructure.
The Tarong Power Station overhauls and sustaining project scored $31.9m to pay for replacement and refurbishment of existing infrastructure.
This should go a long way towards ensuring the continued reliability of electricity supply to Queensland.
Kingaroy Hospital has $8.4 million to put towards its $92.5m redevelopment that will lead to more patient treatment spaces and improved hub services, including trauma and paediatrics.
Meanwhile, the region’s Dusty Hill has had $1.8m allocated next financial year for its $4.5m expansion project.
The money will help pay for additional tourism accommodation facilities in the South Burnett to support existing restaurant, bakery and cellar door businesses. The money is part of the Growing Tourism Infrastructure program.
Murgon Hospital will get $250,000 in 2021-22 to transform the old nurses’ quarters for community and allied health services use.
Kingaroy State High School received $340,000 for its $1.6m project to upgrade its skills development and training facilities.
Seasonal workers and agriculture businesses in the Wide Bay area – which covers Bundaberg, the Burnett, Fraser Coast and Gympie - will also benefit from the state-wide four-year $71.4m Drought Assistance and Reform Package and the $2.6m Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Program.
The Queensland Government says a total of 310 Wide Bay district businesses will benefit next financial year from its higher payroll tax threshold.
Racing world mourns one of the ‘nicest guys in motocross’
The talented and driven South Burnett racer who was about to become a father has been remembered as a “genuine, all round good person” who radiated positivity.
Teen rapists should remain reprimanded, says law society
A leading peak legal organisation in Queensland is urging the government to remove rape from the next raft of Adult Crime Adult Time laws, despite high rates of sexual violence sweeping across the state at the hands of teens.