April 1, 2022
The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) has expressed disappointment with Tuesday’s Federal Budget, saying it had hoped for more funding for water projects.
General manager Kristy Board said the South and North Burnett had been counting on Federal Government investment into water security, more than what had been provided in the Budget.
BIEDO was pleased to see the investment in writing for Paradise Dam however the organisation would continue to highlight the need for water security in the South and North Burnett.
Board member Trevor Harvey said BIEDO was happy to see the Federal and State governments spending money on water infrastructure
“However, the most recent and current regional feasibility study highlights a number of unaddressed water needs across the Burnett,” Mr Harvey said.
“We plead with the government for further funding to address the water needs of the North and South Burnett local government areas.”
Ms Board said the Federal Budget also did not address the gap between “city and country living”.
“Regional Australia experiences significant barriers of connectivity, transport, and healthcare. This Budget doesn’t address these issues, or allow for residents to experience (the) same accessibility as an Australian who lives in the city,” she said.
“We would have also liked to have seen some more focus on helping our aged people so that they could deservedly access equitable healthcare, access and facilities.
“They, too, deserve to grow old in favourable, comfortable conditions.
“We also would have liked to have seen more investment in our tourism sector and transport sector. Investment in these industries would have been an opportunity for the Federal Government to boost the productivity and ability of the North and South Burnett regions.
“A key budget request that was left unfunded was the callout to increase taxation allocation to our local Councils so that they can invest into the key infrastructure needs of our communities, in real time, every year and with certainty.
“It’s the missing economic piece for our regions. We believe (it) would be the single biggest gamechanger across regional Australia if just per cent of the (taxation) revenue was allocated for this purpose.”
However, BIEDO was pleased with the temporary reduction in the fuel excise.
“It was great to see the Budget allow for cost-of-living relief for the Burnett Inland. Petrol is for many the only bridge to farming, work and school with little to no alternative in the regions,” Ms Board said.
