Local roads, schools and disability services are the main beneficiaries of the Newman Government’s first budget handed down yesterday. In keeping with the Premier’s message, the budget is one that caters to Queensland’s future.
Queensland public schools will be made safer and local school communities will get more power to decide how to fix urgent maintenance issues through a new $200 million commitment unveiled in yesterday’s Budget.
Member for Glass House Andrew Powell welcomed the news that each and every state school Parents and Citizens organisation will be able to apply for up to $160,000 per school to fix existing priority maintenance issues under the two-year Advancing Our Schools Maintenance Fund.
“Whether it’s peeling paint, broken glass, uneven footpaths or guttering that is falling down, too many of our state schools have maintenance issues that have become potential health and safety hazards after years of Labor neglect,” he said.
After campaigning for the last three years to have much needed works carried out on Maleny – Kenilworth Road, Mr Powell was extremely pleased that the Newman Government would spend nearly $11.4 million over the next two years on this key hinterland route.
“I’ve walked along this road for years and hounded the former Labor government to better fund this vital link,” Mr Powell said.
“I made a promise to the people of Glass House that I would continue to push for funding after the election and I am proud to say we have listened and delivered.”
Projects include:
“I’ve also continued to lobby hard for the D’Aguilar Highway in the south of the electorate and whilst more work will need to be done, this budget allocates just under $1 million to improve the intersections at Bye Road, J Lindsay Road and road resurfacing,” Mr Powell continued.
In addition, the Newman Government has also allocated:
Mr Powell said while the Newman Government had been forced to make difficult decisions during its first six months in Government, the Glass House community would also receive $2.872 million in grants for disability services this year.
“I know we need better roads, I know families with disabilities need support, but I also know that we can’t deliver any of these things without making the hard decisions outlined in this budget,” Mr Powell said.
“The measures we have introduced will set Queensland’s finances on the road to recovery.
“Instead of wasting money on an ever-increasing interest bill, we’ll have more money to spend on delivering the services people need in the future.” Mr Powell concluded.