Trend > World > Australia > Over $9 million for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities from resources fund
Over  million for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities from resources fund
Over $9 million for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities from resources fund,Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities will share in over $9.36 million for six projects thanks to round two funding from the $100 million Resources

Over $9 million for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities from resources fund

Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities will share in over $9.36 million for six projects thanks to round two funding from the $100 million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund (RCIF).

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said Mackay, Palmyra, Collinsville and Moranbah will all gain exciting new community facilities.

“Queensland communities should be the first to benefit when the resource sector they support succeeds,” Mr Miles said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has partnered with the resources sector to deliver the $100 million fund.

“I’m pleased to announce $52.71 million in round two funding for 20 projects across regional Queensland, including over $9.36 million for six projects in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the RCIF is a great initiative which will benefit the Mackay region.

“This round two funding will make Mackay’s great lifestyle even better, by delivering more good services for our community,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“Thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s investment Mackay will gain improved social housing and support services – which in its first year of operation will directly help more than 7000 of our residents in need.

“Additional social housing units and a dedicated support centre will provide access to much needed facilities and support for those in our community who need it most.

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland CEO Kevin Mercer said over $5.2 million from the RCIF would be used to redevelop the St Vincent de Paul Society’s existing community support centre in Mackay to provide six social housing units along with a purpose-built support centre.

“The RCIF grant will allow us to integrate both social housing and support services in the one location, ​enabling us to increase support to an estimated 7000-plus Mackay residents in the first year of operation,” Mr Mercer said.

“Our support centre will be on the ground floor, along with offices, meeting rooms and work areas, kitchen, laundry, carpark and a one-bedroom accessible social housing unit.

“There will be five additional social housing units on the second floor – three two-bedroom and two one-bedroom self-contained units.

“The project will provide essential support for members of the Mackay community who are either experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness.”

Whitsunday Regional Council will receive over $1.8 million to improve safety and accessibility at Collinsville Aerodrome.

Airport upgrades will enable Royal Flying Doctor Service flights to land at night and in wet weather, greatly assisting community access to emergency medical services.

Works will include sealing the runway, installing clearance lighting for nearby hills with remote monitoring and upgraded aerodrome lighting, publishing an instrument approach, and replacing the existing fence.

The council will also receive $370,000 to refurbish the clubhouse at the Collinsville Football Fields, including new floor coverings, ceiling tiles, amenities, lighting, airconditioning for the main hall and repainting.

The refurbished clubhouse will be an improved venue for football club meetings and other community events.

Collinsville Golf Club President Dylan Lipscombe said the club would receive a $452,210 grant for clubhouse renovations.

“We’ll be able to install accessible pathways and doors, refurbish amenities and build a children’s playground making the clubhouse a more inclusive place for community interaction and sports events,” Mr Lipscombe said.

Palmyra Drag Racing Club President Glenn Cunningham said the club had been successful in gaining $951,010 to improve the dragway’s safety and usability.

“Thanks to the RCIF grant, we’ll be able to complete new surfacing at the bottom of the drag strip, improve safety barrier walls and install more energy efficient LED lighting,” Mr Cunningham said.

“The club will be able to host a greater variety of ‘wheeled’ sports events as well as road safety and driver training courses.”

Moranbah will gain a new netball clubhouse and kiosk thanks to $590,931 from the RCIF.

The new building will be more accessible with a fit-for-purpose training room, office, storage space and kiosk.

Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the RCIF is a voluntary partnership between the Queensland Government, resource companies, and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

“The Queensland Government has committed $30 million to the fund with participating Queensland coal and mineral resources companies contributing $70 million,” Mr Stewart said.

“The projects not only deliver infrastructure that further improves liveability in resource communities, they also create more jobs and more opportunities for regional Queenslanders.

“The resources industry helps support good jobs in our regions so it’s great to these resources communities benefiting from this initiative.”

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane welcomed the announcement of round two funding projects.

“The QRC is the peak body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers and we are very proud that members of our industry are contributing a total of $70 million to the RCIF for projects that will have significant benefits for our local resource communities,” Mr Macfarlane said.

An expert Advisory Committee considered RCIF applications for both funding rounds.

Committee Chair Tony Mooney said there had been strong interest in both of the RCIF rounds.

“Resources communities can now get ready to continue benefiting from the RCIF through this new round of projects,” Mr Mooney said.

“The committee looks forward to resources communities, including workers and their families, enjoying the many benefits of these projects.”

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).View in full here.