Media Release

“AFTER three weeks of increasingly bitter brawling over the need for a separate allocation of cyclone Yasi recovery funds, Treasurer Swan has courageously stood his ground and guaranteed North Qld $950m,” said Member for Kennedy Bob Katter following the release last night of the 2011-2012 Federal Budget.

Mr Katter said every North Queensland State MP should be utterly ashamed for allowing the disaster recovery authority to be set up as a ‘flood’ authority – without even mentioning the word cyclone. The authority was comprised of Brisbane people and was based in Brisbane.

“So we are very pleased and express our public gratitude to the Treasurer for protecting the North Qld interest in the division of the assistance package,” he said.

“The Yasi money opens the door open for the desperately-needed safe harbour access. We hope it will be the key to moving forward on the Paradise Coast; and the much needed tourism boost for Cairns and the Tablelands.”

Mr Katter said there were a number of other hard-fought victories for North Qld in this year's Federal Budget.

“There has been the strongest vote of confidence in Mid-West clean energy and the North West Mineral Province with the continued commitment of about $700 million (from 2012-2017) to the North Australia Clean Energy Corridor,” he said.

“Also, $250 million for the Townsville Ring Road – this is effectively the much-needed creation of the long-awaited proper carriageway for the minerals, cattle and other commodities.

“The Federal Government has to be sincerely thanked for the energy highway and the transport highway – both prerequisites for growth in North Qld.

“In addition, there are a large number of smaller items, a lot of little things that mean a lot to the people who have worked tirelessly for a great many years, and we’re so pleased that this Budget delivers.”

These include:

Hughenden aged care facility

The Hughenden Aged Care Facility is a much-needed development for the Mid-West. This facility will ensure that local council has a base to deliver its aged care services and provide accommodation and a recreational area for older Australians. It will also provide a centre for the local council to base its aged care services.

Mr Katter said: “$4.4 million for the construction of this facility is a great boost for the Mid-West. Congratulations must go to Greg and Carol Jones and their fellow workers, who for many years have literally washed dishes at fundraisers to get this project off the ground.”

Royal Flying Doctors Service Upgrade at Mount Isa

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides an essential emergency medical service to many isolated people and communities across the north.

Mr Katter said: “The $2.7 million commitment to upgrade the Mount Isa Royal Flying Doctor Service facilities will be of great benefit to the people of the Mid-West, Isa and Gulf regions.”

Retention of GPs in Julia Creek

Mr Katter said: “The news of $577, 000 for the construction of general practice and locum accommodation in Julia Creek is most welcome. Prior to this announcement, this community was at risk of losing such services with decrepit accommodation hindering the recruitment and retention of health professionals.”

Service Delivery Reform in Ingham

Ingham is set to benefit from the $107.5 million Service Delivery Reform package designed to provide Medicare and Centrelink one-stop-shops.

Mr Katter said: “The co-location of these services at Ingham will secure the town’s position as a regional centre – despite its proximate location to the ever-expanding growth along Townsville’s northern beaches. This investment will allow locals to continue to shop and carry out their business locally.”

Growth in Regional Australia – benefiting mining and agriculture on the Tablelands, Coast

The government is providing $4.8 million over four years to implement initiatives which encourage migration to regional and remote Australia.

Mr Katter said: “Many communities across Kennedy are in desperate need of both skilled and unskilled workers. But we warn that this could be a double-edged sword - people could come from low wage countries and undermine our award system and pay scales.”

Regional and Local Community Infrastructure across Kennedy

The Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program was announced by the Labor Government as part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

In Kennedy, $324,600 has been allocated under this program for -

• Construction of a disabled toilet – Malanda Majestic Theatre Malanda ($100,000). This work includes raising concrete level, installation of new windows, external plumbing work, installation of handrails and a new door and installation of a stainless steel toilet and hand basin;
• Ventilation and acoustic enhancements of the Merriland Hall, Atherton ($30,000). To improve ventilation and acoustics, while maintaining the building heritage listed integrity;
• Playground equipment and picnic tables – Grigg Street Park, Ravenshoe ($50,000). For the purchase and installation of additional playground equipment and picnic tables with associated bench seating and shade structures for the main town. This includes whirlgig, safety fence, two sets of picnic tables, steel shade shelter and approximately 7 metres by 4 metres of rubber compound soft-fall;
• Multi use recreation clubhouse at Marshall Park, Ravenshoe ($25,000). This allows the supply and installation of a 12 metre by 12 metre multi use recreation cub house for community group use such as Pony Club, Scouts and Judo;
• Roof installation of the English Park Hall, Julatten ($24,600). To insulate the roof at English Park Hall to improve comfort levels, reduce noise and save on energy costs for users. This complies with the Thermal Insulation of Building and Building Code of Australia;
• Construction of multi-purpose trail at Sylvia Creek Valley, Atherton ($30,000). To construct a 1km multi-purpose single track trail at State Forest. This trail will be built to the International Mountain Bike Association standards and be designed to accommodate mountain bikers, hikers and horse riders.
• Disability access for Dimbulah Community Centre. This works include re-wiring, waterproofing, installation of new plumbing and new fittings, toilet and cistern and stainless steel hand basins and tapware;
• Changerooms and disabled facilities, Mareeba Riverside Caravan Park ($30,000). These works will improve facilities for visitors to the region.
• East Palmerston Community Hall playground ($40,000). For the establishment of a playground at East Palmerston Community Hall for the benefit of children and families in the region. This includes the installation of modular playground equipment, and shade cloth of about six square metres with four support posts and about 65 metres of bollard fencing;
• Hughenden Memorial Pool upgrade. To remove and replace drainage systems at the pool to ensure that water run-off from the pool concourse area and the pool are redirected to existing stormwater drains, including related remedial works on the concourse surface and landscaping. These works area for the benefit and improved safety of the users of the pool.

Restoration of the Port of Karumba seawall

The Gulf town of Karumba provides valuable sea access from the agricultural lands of the north to the ports of Darwin, Asia and beyond.

Mr Katter said: “In recognition of this asset and all the hard work done by people such as Bill Rutherford, Yvonne Tunney, Fred Pascoe and others, Treasurer Swan has specifically allocated $2 million as a contribution towards the restoration of the Port of Karumba seawall. We hope that this in the first in a series of measures necessary to develop Karumba as a proper, fully-operating port facility.”

Broadband for Seniors kiosks across Kennedy

The 2011-12 Budget has allocated $156, 000 for seniors kiosks across Kennedy to provide senior citizens in our communities with free broadband access, free computer training and access to up-to-date technology like web cameras.

Mr Katter said: “This will ensure that those who have contributed so greatly to our communities can be assisted to better keep in touch with family and friends.”

Funding for senior kiosks in Kennedy includes:

• $6700 for Burke Shire Library
• $7300 for Canossa Home Trebonne
• $7100 for Cardwell Care Inc
• $8000 for Cardwell RSL
• $8000 for Carinya Home for the Aged
• $7100 for Charters Towers 60 and Better Program Inc, Wheeler House
• $6900 for Community Services Tabelands – Family Support House
• $8100 for Forrest Beach Senior Citizens Hall
• $8000 for Great Northern Telecentre Inc
• $7000 for Greenvale and District Senior Citizens Club Inc
• $7700 for Mareeba PCYC
• $7000 for Julia Creek Library
• $6700 for Mount Isa Christian Broadcasters Assn – Radio Rhema
• $7300 for Mount Isa City Library
• $7000 for Mount Isa Family Support Service and Neighbourhood Centre
• $8500 for Mt Isa PCYC
• $8000 for Ravenshoe Community Centre Inc
• $6900 for Herberton Library
• $7100 for Tully Nursing Home
• $7200 for Warrina Villanova, Innisfail