Step closer to $30 million jobs package

FEBRUARY 13, 2017: THE local committee which will identify the best priorities for a $30 million jobs and investment boost for the region has been announced by the Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash. The Bowen Basin Regional Jobs and Investment Package (RJIP) was a key election commitment for my electorate of Dawson, as well as the neighbouring electorates of Capricornia and Flynn.Because we want local communities to determine their own future, a committee has been formed to guide decisions on where funding should go.Capricornia-based Graeme Kanofski has been appointed chair of the committee along with the following members:

• Nigel Burnett
• Ken Corfield
• Melanie Davies (Whitsundays)
• Adrienne Rourke (Mackay)
• Wally Tallis
• Melissa Westcott (Moranbah)

“I aim to help build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and investing in sustainable local jobs helps grow that kind of community,” Minister Nash said.This is all about creating more jobs and export opportunities.Minister Nash joined myself and other Federal MPs at Paget business D&T Hydraulics and Engineering owned by Terry Dennis in June last year for the announcement of this election commitment.We are now taking the next step in bringing this commitment to fruition.This package gives our region the ability to choose its own priorities as local business people provide local knowledge on how to take the region forward.Funding will be available across three streams: Local Infrastructure projects, Business Innovation Grants, Skills, and Training.For more information visit the Regional Jobs and Investment Package website.