Engineers Australia welcomes the Queensland Government’s announcement to bring forward funding under the Building Our Regions plan says Ian McEwan, Engineers Australia General Manager Queensland.
“This will provide economic support to industry in an otherwise challenging market,” Mr McEwan said.
“Bringing forward this funding will consume approximately 70% of next financial year’s budget allocation for this program, so the question needs to be asked, what will happen next year when this funding runs out?”
Engineers Australia has long advocated for a long term bipartisan infrastructure plan to be developed, explained Mr McEwan.
“That should provide a long term pipeline of works and provide confidence to industry. The soon to be released Queensland State Infrastructure Plan will hopefully be the first step in achieving this outcome.”
Members can hear The Hon Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier of Queensland discuss the State Infrastructure Plan in person at the Breakfast Launch in Brisbane on Monday 14 March.
Why bring the funding forward?
Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said in a recent statement the $70 million infrastructure funding brought forward by the Queensland Government’s was part of the Building Our Regions program.
“We want councils to get the ball rolling on applications for eligible infrastructure projects that will benefit their communities through real jobs and long term economic opportunities,” Dr Lynham said.
“Tenders have already been awarded for the Bundaberg Region Multi-use Community and Sports Centre and the Miriam Vale Water Treatment Plant.”
“In the coming months we will see tenders called for the Mission Beach Aquatic Facility, Enabling Aged Care in Mossman and the Julia Creek Membrane Bioreactor Sewage Treatment Upgrade which could create an extra 27 jobs.”
“The Building Our Regions program is effective because it encourages regional collaboration and additional financial investment in local communities.”
“Regional communities are the backbone of our economy and bringing this funding round forward will give regional areas a boost where it is most needed,” said Dr Lynham.