The Gladstone community stands to benefit from increased employment opportunities and new assets such as bikeways, footpaths, sport and recreation facilities and critical water sewer and waste management infrastructure through $5.2 million from the Queensland Government’s $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program.
QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the funding would have an enormous impact on the region.
“While Queenslanders are resilient, it has certainly been a difficult time for everyone and this program will provide a huge lift for employment opportunities, local economies, and most importantly community spirit,” she said.
“The allocation of $5.2 million to Gladstone Regional Council will see projects delivered that will have long-term economic benefits and increase liveability in our community.”
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said COVID Works for Queensland was designed to help councils to get their communities back on their feet.
“Over the past three years, we have seen how incredibly successful the Works for Queensland program has been throughout regional Queensland, delivering more than 19,000 jobs and counting, and now every council will be given a boost to deliver job-creating infrastructure and maintenance projects,” Mr Butcher said.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the coronavirus pandemic had reverberated across the State.
“We have never had to deal with anything like the repercussions from this pandemic, which is why the Palaszczuk Government has put together the $6 billion economic recovery strategy Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs, of which COVID Works for Queensland is an integral part for our councils and their communities,” he said.
Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Matt Burnett thanked the Government for its support.
“We welcome the funding from the Queensland Government. Works for Queensland has been an outstanding program for our region,” Cr Burnett said.
“This additional funding will provide a significant boost to Queensland Local Governments and help support jobs during this tough period.”
Source: Gladstone Regional Council