$1 million for work on the Don
CLOSE to $1 million in Federal Liberal National Government funding will be directed towards the issue of gully erosion and the resulting sand build-up in the Don River.This announcement today by Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt is a big win for Bowen, as the issue of clearing the Don has been a concern for a number of years.The $962,550 of funding, under the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme, is a targeted investment that addresses the considerable challenge that gully erosion presents to the Great Barrier Reef.
Weather ‘in the lap of the robots’ in 5 months
MACKAY’S weather service will be in the lap of the robots after August, following the Bureau of Meteorology’s decision to automate the local office and cut all staff.Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, this week confirmed Mackay’s Bureau of Meteorology office would move to full automation after August and that the equipment would be monitored and serviced by staff based in the Bureau’s Cairns Activity Hub.Staff members at Mackay’s office will be given the opportunity to be sent to another office.I will continue negotiations with the minister to overturn or delay the decision to axe staff from the Mackay office and I'm asking you to lend your support by signing my online petition.Removing staff from Mackay after August (and then from Townsville as well) will leave no technicians near any BOM facility along a 1700km stretch of the Queensland coastline.
Bank branch closure a disappointing move
THE decision by Suncorp Bank to close their Whitsunday branch at Cannonvale is a disappointing move.I have been advised that Suncorp will close their branch at Cannonvale on May 20, and while I appreciate that banking behaviour has changed, there are many customers who appreciate face-to-face service.The loss of banking services is always felt keenly in smaller communities and it erodes confidence in the area.I expect this also means a loss of jobs in our region.
Funds up for grabs: Get applications in
COMMUNITY groups who are planning to apply for grants under Round 2 of the Liberal National Government’s Stronger Communities Programme are reminded to get their applications in by March 11.I am keen to ensure the money goes to worthy causes.There are grants of between $5000 and $20,000 to fund small capital projects which deliver social benefits, so please make sure your group is in with a chance for a share of the $150,000 available across my electorate.
Schools awarded for Reef work
CONGRATULATIONS go to Proserpine State School students as well as St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School students, who have both been awarded a $500 Ripples of Change grant for protecting their local environment and the health of the Great Barrier Reef.The awards encourage students to learn about and care for their local environments and promote real change in their communities.Proserpine and Mackay have a strong connection to the neighbouring Great Barrier Reef and the local students have an important role to play in its care for future generations.I’m proud to support the work of our Reef Guardian schools as it empowers our students to make a positive difference and gives them an opportunity to be involved in the local community.
Two weeks left for Stronger Regions applications
I join with Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash in reminding interested parties they have until March 15 to submit applications for funding under Round Three of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).The NSRF aims to support priority infrastructure projects in regional communities, stimulating jobs and growth.This latest round of the National Stronger Regions Fund is open to submissions from local governments and incorporated not-for-profit organisations.It’s particularly important during out current economic climate.
$60,000 to help protect marine environment
THE Liberal National Coalition Government has made a $60,000 commitment to priority funding to kick-start research into the major sources of marine plastic waste and to determine the most cost effective options to reduce it.Every one of our favourite beaches and fishing is facing contamination by plastic waste, and the Coalition Government is now funding research to do something about it.$60,000 of priority funding has been made available under the National Environmental Science Programme to encourage better waste management practices and improved water quality outcomes for Australia’s marine environment.The National Environmental Science Programme focuses on collaborative, practical and applied research that informs on-ground action.
Growers keen to consider medicinal cannabis crops
I will seek further clarification on the process of growing medicinal cannabis following a meeting with about six cane farmers interested in the possibilities of diversifying into the field.Though it's early days in the formation of the process, I am keen to ensure growers in this region are early contenders for clinical trials.We already have the runs on the board in terms of plant cultivation, and we have the right natural resources in terms of good fertile soil and plenty of water, so we have a lot to gain from the introduction of a new crop like this.There are a number of growers who are interested, and a couple who have done some research on what might be involved.
Pitch for Defence business and jobs
I will investigate the possibilities of attracting Defence work for businesses in the Mackay region following the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper.To that end, I have invited Defence Materiel Minister Dan Tehan to Mackay to pitch the case for the city’s engineering support businesses, as well as the city’s building and construction businesses.The Defence White Paper outlines that $29.9 billion will be spent over the next decade, and that includes a considerable boost to Defence spending and infrastructure in the Townsville region.There will be Mackay businesses that either already have the capabilities to do this work, or could diversify into those capabilities.
Helping those keen to grow medicinal marijuana
I will be meeting with people in the region who have expressed an interest in growing medicinal cannabis, following today’s historic passage of legislation to legalise the process.Amendments passed to the Narcotic Drugs Act will ensure that people who would benefit from the use of medicinal marijuana will have access to a safe, legal and reliable supply.I have had calls from growers in the region who are keen to diversify into the production of medicinal marijuana and I will be presenting their case to the Health Minister Sussan Ley.Our region has good fertile soil and plenty of water, so we have a lot to gain from the introduction of a new crop like this.
Funding flows to boost community groups
COMMUNITY groups in need of cash injections to get capital projects up and running are encouraged to apply for funding under Round 2 of the Liberal National Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.Seven community groups have been successful in gaining funding for projects in my electorate and we have several others who should hear about their applications under Round One of this programme very soon.This is an excellent way for not-for-profit groups to secure funding for smaller capital projects and I encourage any group interested to contact my office as soon as possible to get more details.
Parliament gets the word on Urannah Dam
THE importance of Urannah Dam to provide future jobs and economic stability was highlighted by new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce on the floor of parliament today.Minister Joyce spoke about the importance of building dams in response to my question on the importance of restoring agriculture as a fundamental pillar of the Australian economy.The importance of securing funding for a feasibility study on the Urannah Dam is vitally important for this region, and I’m doing all in my power to ensure we see that funding flow through.It’s heartening to see that it is getting the attention of leading decision makers in our government.
Dob in Ice Dealer launched
I welcome today’s launch of a new million dollar partnership between the Coalition Government and Crime Stoppers Australia to establish a national Dob in a Dealer campaign.The Commonwealth Government is providing $1 million to fund the national Dob in a Dealer campaign to raise awareness of methamphetamine, or ice, and encourage local communities to contact Crime Stoppers to help tackle the issue of manufacturing and distribution in their local area.Crimes relating to ice continue to be a concern for this region, with strong links between those who commit drug offences and those committing other violent crimes.Drugs such as ice can have devastating consequences for entire communities, and putting a stop to it will require a whole of community response. Police can’t do it alone.
Labor shows lack of support for Adani jobs
I have called on Dawson Labor candidate Frank Gilbert to decide whether he supports the development of Adani’s Carmichael Coal Project which will create thousands of much-needed jobs in the region.Mr Gilbert is telling people desperate for jobs that he supports Adani, but at the same time he’s attacking the project on social media.Last night Mr Gilbert attended a Bowen Chamber of Commerce meeting where I was guest speaker, and he told that audience that he supported the Adani project.But earlier this month on Facebook, Mr Gilbert posted a link to an article which attacked the Carmichael Coal Project and he himself commented that it was “ignorant and irresponsible” to back the fossil fuel industry.
Roads contract means jobs for Mackay
Mackay company Vassallo Constructions has won the $3 million contract to construct an overtaking lane near Thomsetts Road, south of Proserpine, and this means jobs for Mackay workers.I want to congratulate this Mackay business run by Vic Vassallo, on winning the tender on this project which has been brought forward by a year by the Liberal National Coalition Government to provide work when it is desperately needed.Despite false claims by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that the project was part of Labor’s so-called ‘accelerated works program’ this project is not only fully funded by the Federal Coalition Government; we brought it forward by a year to support jobs in the region.
MP rejects BoM plan to take jobs out of north
BUREAU of Meteorology (BOM) staff paid me a visit in Canberra yesterday to explain their rationale for relocating three staff out of both Mackay and Townsville, but I'm still not convinced it’s the right move.I state again in no uncertain terms that I will not be supporting this change, which removes all on-the-ground weather bureau staff from our regional cities.If the bureau believes it’s a good move then they better get out and start explaining it to the public.
Salute to Warren Truss
I would like to pay tribute to Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals Warren Truss, who announced his retirement today.It has been an historic day in Parliament with Warren announcing he will be stepping down after 26 years in Federal Parliament.Warren was the leader of the Nationals when I was elected in 2010, and he has given me no end of support over the last six years.