Townsville Enterprise hoping key projects included in federal budget
With the federal budget to be announced on Tuesday evening, Townsville advocacy groups and councils are hoping items on their wishlists are given a splash of cash, for the benefit of the North. SEE WHAT THEY WANT >
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Housing, the dilapidated Bruce Highway and a new $360 million entertainment arena are among the big ticket items North Queensland advocacy groups and councils are hoping for when the federal budget is handed down on Tuesday night.
Housing, the dilapidated Bruce Highway and a new $360 million entertainment arena are among the big ticket items North Queensland advocacy groups and councils are hoping for when the federal budget is handed down on Tuesday night.
With a federal election also looming Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Alf Lacey has given his pitch to NQ politicians, highlighting a $62 million plan to “boost liveability and increase housing supply” he wants to see committed to by the parties.
Mayor Lacey said the council has spent “considerable time and effort” in compiling a list of priorities they wanted to see from the federal government.
“We’re all about making sure council and government can work together to deliver the basics for Palm, as well as making sure we can build a better future for our people”, Cr Lacey said.
The council said liveability on the island would be boosted by a $27 million investment, including a community development centre, a local pool and splash park, local solar generation saving up to $3000 per household, combined with cost-of-living relief through $2 million in freight subsidies, which drives down grocery costs for locals.
Palm Island Council chief executive Michael Bissell said the Island had already achieved some success after advocating to the new state government.
Also included in the current wishlist is a $4.2 million vision for economic development, including: supporting local jobs and business development, workplace skills training, and authentic Indigenous tourism experiences delivered locally.
Another $30.8 million will be aimed at housing supply that will build on existing successes on the Island, by releasing more land for culturally and environmentally appropriate housing, including at the Rodeo Ground and Back Farm subdivisions.
Townsville Enterprise outlined its 20 key priorities for the budget, with manufacturing, housing, infrastructure and immigration high on the agenda.
A recent delegation of investors from 16 German companies which visited Townsville last week, saw first-hand the investment opportunities in critical minerals and renewable energy.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said the funding requests contained in the latest edition of Unlock the North, should be reflected at a national level to not only ensure the region’s continued growth momentum, but also to leverage the city’s growing expertise in onshore sovereign capabilities.
“As global supply chains become increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical shifts and environmental disruptions, Australia has begun to refocus efforts on securing critical industries within its own borders,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.
“We acknowledge and welcome the many cost-of-living crisis initiatives that are sure to dominate this budget, but we need to see commitment from both sides of politics on strategically important projects that will generate economic productivity long-term.
“With a number of health initiatives already announced, and smaller cash hits on the cards, we seek firm backing from our Federal leaders on projects that will deliver for Australia for generations to come.”
1. Townsville Enterprise’s priorities for the federal budget calling for:
– $450 million investment for the Port expansion project
– Funding to deliver Townsville eastern access rail corridor
– Investment from the rewriting the Nation fund for line upgrades between Gladstone and Townsville to support network upgrades
– Green energy and fuel incentives
– Flinders Highway upgrades to accommodate the surge in critical mineral activities, CopperString, renewable energy projects and defence.
– Federal and State Government joint 80/20 funding for Bruce Highway upgrades
– Defence: Supporting northern Australia’s forward mounting base
Housing
-$159 million Townsville North Queensland housing package
-Regional housing policy incentives
– $13.6 million into critical water and sewerage infrastructure upgrades on Palm Island
Workforce attraction liveability
-$360 million from State and Federal Government for world-class Arts and Entertainment Arena
– $60 million towards a pedestrian bridge between Flinders and Palmer Street (a condition of funding reallocation of Concert Hall)
– $50 million Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program funding towards public infrastructure to support waterfront vision
– $4-5 million for develop a visitor facing Magnetic Island Koala Hospital
– $46.9 million for Paluma to Wallaman trail
– $300 million for Charters Towers Hospital
– $130 million for Residential Aged Care Facility in Charters Towers
– $10 million for an integrated health care facility on Palm Island
Infrastructure
– $27.6 million for TropiQ – Townsville’s Tropical Intelligence and health precinct
– $16.5 million NQ Defence Industry Park
– $4.475 million for Ayr Industrial Estate second access
– $11.1 million for RegenAqua Hinchinbrook
– delivery of Big Rocks Weir over the next three years –
– Enhancing the Burdekin River system
Immigration
Expanding of the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
Regional migration incentives
Originally published as Townsville Enterprise hoping key projects included in federal budget
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