June 14, 2016
Graham House Neighbourhood Centre at Murgon and Cherbourg Aboriginal Council appear to be the only winners in the South Burnett from Tuesday’s State Budget.
Graham House will receive $1.1 million, out of an estimated $2.6 million allocated in forward estimates, to replace the existing Neighbourhood Centre in Taylor Street East.
The Budget papers note the current facility is “not fit for purpose”.
And Cherbourg will receive $10 million, from a $15 million total spend, to upgrade the town’s waste water infrastructure.
Anyone hoping for funds to progress a new Kingaroy Hospital will be disappointed, although the State Government says an extra $36.7 million has been allocated to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.
Money has been allotted to finish the Kingaroy ($2.3 million) and Nanango ($314,000) police station projects, and begin the refurbishment of Kingaroy Courthouse.
A total of $2 million, out of the $4.2 million cost, has been budgeted in 2016-17 to construct a new courtroom, install a lift, and refurbish the premises to improve court operations.
Regular drivers on the New England Highway will be pleased to know $7 million has been allocated to build passing lanes between Yarraman and Toowoomba, but the number and their location is not spelled out although the Darling Downs ‘Regional Action Plan” notes they are due for completion in June 2017.
As well, $19.6 million has been allocated for the Unit 1 overhaul at Tarong Power Station, $63.4 million for scheduled work at Meandu Mine and $1.1 million for the “refurbishment and enhancement” of the Tarong Pipeline.
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Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said it was a very disappointing day for the South Burnett.
She said it was beyond belief that the Kingaroy Public Hospital had not been included in the Budget.
“How long will we have to wait? It is really quite unacceptable that the Kingaroy Hospital can be ignored by this Labor Government,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I don’t know what excuse the Minister for Health could possibly use to explain to the people of the South Burnett why they have missed out again on receiving better health services.
“Our hard-working doctors, nurses and administrators have to work in an outdated, dysfunctional building.
“The Emergency Department is just simply unacceptable, as is the maternity unit, mental health unit and the dental hospital.
“Everyone knows we also desperately need more visiting specialists but there is just simply no room for them.
“The hospital must have more space so specialists can have somewhere to consult, but without this space, they just can’t come to our region.
“The Kingaroy Hospital had been at the top of the list for complete replacement under our former LNP Government; I think the Labor Government must have thrown away this list.
“I won’t give up on the people of the South Burnett and I am more determined than ever that we must have a new Public Hospital in Kingaroy. Labor may have forgotten us, but I haven’t, and this will remain my number one priority,” Mrs Frecklington said.
Budget Wrap-Up:
