July 3, 2012
Toowoomba Regional Council will receive a cash injection from the State Government’s new Royalties to the Regions program.
The program will see millions of dollars returned to 14 regional Queensland councils to help provide critical infrastructure in areas placed under strain by the mining boom.
Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said today it was high time “resource communities” received a fair share.
“We want to make sure all Queenslanders share in the spoils of the mining boom,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Unfortunately, some councils are struggling to keep pace with the unprecedented demand for services and infrastructure. This fund will help them start to turn that around.”
The funds will only go to communities at the heart of the State’s mining boom.
The councils will be able to apply for funding for road improvements and community infrastructure such as libraries and community centres.
“Mining should leave a lasting legacy for Queensland: strong, well-built and well-serviced communities. Resource communities should be a place where workers can raise their families and small business can prosper,” he said.
The councils to benefit are: Banana Shire, Cloncurry Shire, Barcaldine Regional, Central Highlands Regional, Gladstone Regional, Isaac Regional, Mackay Regional, Maranoa Regional, Mt Isa Regional, Rockhampton Regional, Toowoomba Regional, Western Downs Regional, Whitsunday Regional, and Townsville City Council.
The first grants will be included in this year’s State Budget and be delivered over four years.
