New COVID cash splash to kickstart 12 local regions including struggling Beenleigh
The state government is spending a further $50 million to kickstart 63 projects in 12 council areas including breathing life back into a struggling southside town centre dogged by crime, drugs and high vacancy rates.
Logan
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A struggling southside town centre has been given hope after a $50 million state government cash splash spread across 12 local council areas.
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Beenleigh town centre, the subject of major state and local government discussions after a spike in crime and commercial occupancy rates, will benefit from the latest funding, which brings state spending on economic COVID projects for councils to $100 million.
Along with rejuvenating the Beenleigh town centre, abandoned by the ANZ Bank last week, the money will be spent on a new BMX park at Brendale, revitalising the Mooloolaba Foreshore, and a new path and boardwalk near Frenchmans Beach on North Stradbroke Island.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the money would go to 63 projects, creating 1500 jobs across the 12 southeast councils.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said councils had also been doing it tough with the closure of services, provision of community support concessions and reduced revenue from rates and charges.
He said the money would allow Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa Shire, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba councils to fast-track new infrastructure and community assets.
“In doing so, it will help to get the communities back on their feet faster,” he said.
“This package is an integral part of Queensland’s plan to stimulate the economy at a time when the major economies across the globe are hurting.
“It’s a wonderful example of the two levels of government working together.”
LGAQ president and Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson said the stimulus package, combined with the special $200 million COVID-19 Works for Queensland funding, would play an important role in rebuilding the southeast.