Media Statement - 15th November 2007
Federal Labor Government will invest $5.3 million in a package of initiatives for the Central West Queensland Growth Corridor.
‘Labor Candidate Chris Trevor has championed the need for investment in this region and worked with the community to make it happen,’ Mr Crean said.
Federal Labor will invest:
- $400,000 for the Longreach Bikeway and Walking Path Linkages project;
- $1 million for the Australian Age of the Dinosaurs Museum;
- $2.6 million in the Barcaldine Tree of Knowledge Project;
- $1 million for the Blackwater Aquatic Facility & Sporting Complex;
- $200,000 for the Emerald BMX & State Park; and
- $100,000 for a feasibility study to expand tourism in the Central Highlands region.
These important projects, funded under Labor’s new Better Regions program, will build on the strengths of the region, improve liveability, create jobs and develop the tourism industry.
‘Labor’s commitment to this package follows discussions I have had with the community and the Remote Area Planning & Development Board (RAPAD) over a period of time,’ Mr Crean said.
Over the past five years Central Queensland has experienced significant economic and population growth.
This is being driven by the development of geothermal energy, the information and communication technology and tourism industries, as well as mining.
Mr Trevor said: ‘The development of the new mining and other industry in the region will bring new families to the region, increasing the demand for local community facilities and services’.
Today’s announcement comes on top of almost $1 billion already committed by Federal Labor in Central Queensland including:
- $3.1 million for Emerald Town Centre Revitalisation
- $6.6 million for the Longreach Airport
- $3 million for a Medicare office in Emerald
- $5 million for a GP Super Clinic in Gladstone
- $400,000 for the Biloela Medical Centre
- $7.6 million for MRI at Rockhampton Hospital
- $1.3 million for the Capricornia Primary Health Advanced Community Care Project
- $1.7 million for the Hegvold Stadium
- $1.5 million for the Dysart Sport & Recreation Facility
- $20 million towards the Rockhampton to Gladstone water pipeline
- $885 million to upgrade the Bruce Highway
This package will assist to create a vibrant, diverse and liveable region in Central West Queensland and is yet another example of Labor’s commitment to regional and urban development.
Not since Federal Labor’s Better Cities program, has there been a strategic vision to inject funding into infrastructure to renew and sustain growth corridors.
BACKGROUND
Emerald BMX & Skate Park
Federal Labor will invest $200,000 in the development of a multi-purpose facility in Emerald to provide a BMX facility, Skate Park, Bicycle Training Area and amenities building. The $400,000 project will be delivered in partnership with Emerald Shire Council who has committed $200,000 to the project.
The Council has identified the provision of better and more appropriate sport and recreation facilities for young people in Emerald a key priority through its Sport & Recreation plan.
Longreach Bikeway and Walking Path Linkages Project
Federal Labor will invest $400,000 in the Longreach Bikeway & Walking Path Linkages Project. Longreach Shire Council, with support from the Queensland Government has commissioned a study to improve important linkages to sporting, recreation and community facilities within Longreach.
Federal Labor’s commitment will enable the Council to develop bikeways and walkways within and adjacent to Longreach for example:
- improve the linkage between the town of Longreach and the Apex Riverside Park;
- improve linkages between the town of Longreach and the Iningai Nature Reserve, with cross linkages to the Longreach Hall of Fame and Australian Agricultural College.
Australian Age of the Dinosaurs Museum
Federal Labor will invest $1 million towards the development of the Australian Age of the Dinosaurs museum near Winton. Once complete this project will provide Australia’s most comprehensive educational experience into Australia’s natural history, through the reign of the dinosaurs to today.
The project will also offer a unique opportunity to provide for the preservation of fossils for national and international university studies and worldwide scientific research.
The Museum has enormous potential to boost domestic and international tourism to the region, providing a significant regional development opportunity to central Queensland. The project has already received support from the Australian Geographic Society, the Queensland Government and the Winton Shire Council.
Federal Labor’s commitment will enable the establishment of the museum as a unique education opportunity for Australia’s children and future generations.
Barcaldine Tree of Knowledge Project
Federal Labor will invest $2.6 million, to match the Queensland Government’s commitment, to establish the Tree of Knowledge Memorial Site.
In 1891, the site was host to the watershed Shearer’s Strike, an event that led to the establishment to the labour movement in Australia. Sadly, the tree was poisoned last year and efforts to preserve this important monument have been underway through a partnership between Barcaldine Shire, Queensland Government and the Australian Workers Heritage Centre.
Federal Labor’s funding will enable the $5 million project to proceed and will establish:
- Ongoing protection of the Tree of Knowledge and establishment of a Memorial at the site;
- interpretation of the Australian Tree of Knowledge Story, within the Australia Workers Heritage Centre through exhibitions dedicated to the Shearer’s Strike & the imprisonment of striking shearers on St Helena Island;
- Creation of a themed pathway to enable visitors to walk to the memorial and facilitate access to the Museum and town;
- Better car parking for visitors to the site, including coaches; and
- Capacity to provide Visitor Information Centre, visitor facilities, gift shop.
This project will maximise the economic benefit of tourism in the region and attract more visitors to Barcaldine. The project will also form part of the Heritage Trails network through Central Queensland.
Blackwater Aquatic Facility & Sporting Complex
Federal Labor will invest $1 million to provide high-quality recreational and sporting facilities in Blackwater. Federal Labor will partner with Duaringa Shire Council to kick-start this $5 million project which when complete will deliver:1. A modern, accessible aquatic Facility including:
- a new heated 25 metre pool to enable year-long use
- a modernised Olympic Pool;
- new recreational/leisure pool;
- new showers and change rooms;
- accessible features for all in the community; and
- open and shaded recreational space including a beach volley ball court.
2. Better sporting facilities including:
- four high-quality mutli-purpose playing fields with fixed, automatic irrigation systems;
- new shared facilities for touch football, soccer, junior rugby league, two change rooms and public amenities;
- ring road between senior rugby league and St John’s entrances; and
- sealed car parking and entrances
Feasibility Study to expand Tourism in Central Highlands
Federal Labor will invest $100,000 to allow for a feasibility study and the development of a strategic plan to determine Central Highland’s potential to expand current visitation rates. This project would enhance the region's reputation for its sapphire gem fields which includes the largest deposit in the Southern Hemisphere.
Development of this market would enhance the region's economic sustainability as traditionally northern Qld has relied heavily on the in-bound Asian markets, which has declined in recent years.
Currently, the Emerald region attracts around 230,000 day trips per year with day visitors spending $175M in the Fitzroy tourism region annually. This equates to $135 per visitor per day with this project enhancing the capacity of the region to further capitalise on this important sector of the local economy.
This project will strengthen the brand marketing of the region in giving it an easily identifiable focus - its gem-rich geography.