The Budget fails the residents of the Gympie region.
Despite an eye watering extra $9.78 billion investment in new hospital and extra beds the
government has refused to fast track the process to deliver a new hospital for Gympie and
will not commit to an ambulance station at Glenwood.
Health services in our region are in crisis and there is absolutely nothing in the Budget
Highlights or the Capital Statements for Gympie.
In its Budget commitments for Gympie the State Labor Government is claiming credit for
projects which are primarily funded either by the former Federal Government or local rate
payers.
Despite an eye watering Budget, the State Government is scraping the bottom of the barrel to
find Gympie projects to showcase in its glossy Budget Highlights brochure.
I welcome the commitment of $100,000 to commence the replacement of a permanent fire
and rescue station in Gympie which is projected to cost $6 million.
The only other two projects are a continuation of the revitalisation of the Cooloola Coast
Esplanade and the ongoing commitment to the Gympie bypass.
They’ve hitched themselves to projects primarily funded and delivered by the former Federal
Government and the Gympie Regional Council.
I have been advocating for a new Fire and Emergency Station since I was elected in 2015.
Land was purchased in 2014 for a site and whenever I’ve asked about timelines they have
bounced around from starting in 2022, to being delayed until 2024.
Only twelve months ago the Minister advised me the current station was functional, and he
would delay it until 2024.
I welcome that he has relented.
The $834,000 for Stage 2 of the Cooloola Coast Esplanade revitalisation will be delivered by
the Gympie Regional Council.
The state is making a part contribution to a council project.
The funding for the Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D is part of an ongoing
commitment to deliver the project.
The Federal Government funds the bulk of this project of 80% of a total $1 billion spend.
The Capital Statements indicate a $100,000 commitment for a Rainbow Beach Replacement
Police Facility.
I have been calling for a properly designated police station and additional police personnel at
Rainbow Beach which currently operates from underneath a house and there was no mention
of an upgrade and additional personnel at Imbil Police Station.
Based on the steady stream of requests I receive it is clear Weapons Licensing is not working.
I welcome the announcement to streamline processes and digitise records at Weapons
Licensing and to start the process for a new management system.
We’ve been through three floods this year, one of which was only beaten by a flood in the
1890s.
Despite the hand wringing and media opportunities following the floods there is reluctance to
flood proof our region and to assist groups such as sporting clubs which have been it hard.
It has refused to commit to improving flood immunity and start planning for a high-level
bridge to improve access between north and south Gympie or to provide special assistance to
Gympie Regional Council for road upgrades.
Despite claims of a massive $3.5 billion rail cash splash the government there was nothing
about increased train services from Gympie North to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
As health services are being diverted to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane residents need
improved services and extra facilities, including toilet facilities.
This Budget provides next to nothing for increased social housing in Gympie, state-controlled
roads, bridge upgrades, and schools.
It has delivered no vision for Gympie.
It’s not like the Government doesn’t know some of the projects needed in our region.
I’ve written numerous times to the Premier and Ministers seeking support for local projects in
our rapidly growing region.
The Government has ignored opportunities on other projects such as:
• Specific funding for road and bridge infrastructure and improved train services;
• Upgrading the Mary Valley Highway (gazettal name Gympie-Brooloo Road) as
advised under the Mary Valley Road Safety Report. It needs to be upgraded to at least
B double standard to assist industry growth in the region;
• Overtaking lanes on the Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach Roads;
• Widen to two lanes the three-kilometre stretch between Tooth Drive and Reuben
Road, on the Gympie-Woolooga Road;
• Construct a roundabout at the intersection of Tin Can Bay Road and Bayside Road,
Cooloola Cove;
• Upgrade bridges on Gympie-Woolooga Road;
• Future proofing of road infrastructure;
• New Rural Fire Shed at Imbil;
• Investment in high quality sporting facilities;
• Funding for a multipurpose entertainment and sport facility in Gympie;
• Heating for the outdoor pool at the Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre;
• Funding for more social housing in Gympie. Housing stress and soaring homelessness
is exacerbated by a tight private rental market and the lack of social housing;
• Fast track investment in new school buildings and to flood proof them especially at
One Mile State School. Demountables should only be temporary – they cannot be the
solution.
