{"id":181778,"date":"2017-06-20T12:31:31","date_gmt":"2017-06-20T02:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=181778"},"modified":"2020-09-11T12:33:19","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T02:33:19","slug":"another-5-5m-for-local-councils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/06\/20\/another-5-5m-for-local-councils\/","title":{"rendered":"Another $5.5m For Local Councils"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Putting a second seal on the South Burnett Rail Trail was one of 39 local projects funded by the first round of the State Government’s Works For Queensland program<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 20, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

The South Burnett Regional Council will receive another $4.39 from the State Government’s Works For Queensland program over the next two years, and Cherbourg will receive $1.18 million.<\/p>\n

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad announced the new grants on Monday.<\/p>\n

This followed the State Government’s announcement in last week’s Budget it intended to tip a further $200 million into the Works For Queensland program.<\/p>\n

In January, the South Burnett Regional Council received $4.26 million from the first round of the program, and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council $1.17 million.<\/p>\n

To get the money, both Councils had to submit a list of projects they proposed to spend the money on, and have them approved by the State Government.<\/p>\n

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the new funding injection came after the first round was embraced by councils across the state.<\/p>\n

“Across regional Queensland councils are telling us that this program is creating jobs, building great community infrastructure and that they want to see more invested.<\/p>\n

“We have listened and we are delivering.”<\/p>\n

A key aim of the Works For Queensland program is job creation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Program money can only be spent on non-core council projects, and councils need to provide the government with an estimate of how many short-term jobs each project will create.<\/p>\n

Councils need to nominate projects for the second round of funding by July 28, and all approved projects are expected to be completed by June 2019.<\/p>\n

Ironically, the extra funding comes at a time when the South Burnett Regional Council is looking to lay off between 10 and 13 staff to plug a $1.5 million hole in its own budget.<\/p>\n

Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n