Premier's message
Listening to the views and concerns of all Queenslanders is a high priority for me and I was pleased to hold my 14th Community Cabinet, and my first since the election, in Highfields and Gatton.
This is such a productive and progressive part of the State, and I am pleased that you were all so keen to voice your concerns to me, my ministers and heads of departments. There was standing room only at the community forum, and this Community Cabinet hosted the second highest number of deputations since I became Premier.
One of the joys of visiting Highfields and Gatton was meeting so many members of the region's community groups. As number one ticket holder for the Queensland Firebirds, I was delighted to meet our netball stars of tomorrow at the Highfields Sports Centre and shoot a few goals with Millie Burgis from Toowoomba and Laura McDougall from Dalby (pictured). Both girls are members of the Ergon Energy Darling Downs Netball Academy.
We were able to announce and celebrate many initiatives for the region during the Community Cabinet and I thank you for making us so welcome.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Government to deliver birthing suite
Discussing the birthing centre project with Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine, Premier Anna Bligh and Deputy Premier and Health Minister Paul Lucas are members of the Maternity Coalition Darling Downs. Clockwise: Anne Bousfield (back to camera), Genevieve Sayers, Elisa Lukes, Maryanne Donnelly Mitchell, Ros Beard and Liz Wilkes.
Premier Anna Bligh has announced a $1 million birthing suite and a $2 million Emergency Department expansion for the Toowoomba Base Hospital.
Ms Bligh said the Toowoomba works would go to tender immediately following the State Budget in June.
Work on the birthing suite and the Emergency Department is expected to be completed by late 2010.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said more than 3000 people a year will benefit from the enhanced services.
Events rock with funding
RockStock dancers performing outside the Community Cabinet.
At Community Cabinet Premier Anna Bligh announced $902,100 in funding under the latest round of the Queensland Events Regional Development Program.
Toowoomba and Golden West region events to benefit include RockStock 2009 in Helidon, Gourmet in Gundy 2009 in Goondiwindi, Food and Fire Fest 2009 in Roma, Orig’n8 Festival 2009 in Toowoomba and the Australian Camp Oven Festival 2010 in Millmerran.
Western flights take off
Premier Anna Bligh and Mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council Peter Taylor leaving Skytrans' De Havilland Canada Dash 8.
The Q-Connect Skytrans air service, welcomed by Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan, has taken off from Toowoomba Airport.
The four-times-a-week service will link Brisbane, Toowoomba, Charleville, Quilpie, Windorah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Mount Isa. The service will continue on a trial basis until tenders are called for contracts later this year.
Announcements
Wild dogs – Government bites back
The State's control program for wild dog management will be overhauled following an independent review by former AgForce president Peter Kenny.
Premier Anna Bligh has announced the establishment of the Wild Dog Advisory Committee. Wild dogs cost the grazing industry an estimated $33 million a year.
‘From 1 July 2009, the Government will be appointing a senior officer to work with the committee to ensure the statewide effort on wild dogs is maintained,’ Premier Bligh said.
Non-State school approvals fast-tracked
Queensland Cabinet has amended State planning regulations allowing non-State schools to fast-track delivery of projects worth over $700 million, funded under the Federal Government's $14.7 billion schools stimulus package.
Non-State schools will not have to go through local government approval to construct new buildings on their sites. This will allow jobs to be created quickly. The schools will still have to comply with safeguards to prevent inappropriate development and councils will be notified of approved projects.
21st century touch to 18th century windmill
The Department of Public Works has provided $128,000 for reconstruction of an 1875 Tunstin timber windmill, coinciding with Queensland's 150th celebrations this year.
The windmill will be reconstructed using original 19th century castings, assisted by QBuild apprentices. The reconstructed windmill will join a collection of six steel windmills at the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's Toowoomba campus in September.
New England Highway upgraded
The New England Highway between Crows Nest and Pechey has been upgraded at a cost of $14.8 million, two months ahead of schedule.
Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace said realigning a two-kilometre section to the east of the highway and construction of the southbound overtaking lane had significantly improved safety for road users. An average of 2300 vehicles use the road daily.
‘Pechey-Maclagan Road has also been extended by 200 metres to join the realigned section of the New England Highway,’ Mr Wallace said.
$3.4 million respite boost for Toowoomba families
Minister for Disability Services Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced an extra $3.4 million in funding for the Toowoomba Respite Service Centre.
‘This boost in funding will mean that Toowoomba families caring for people with a disability will benefit from an increase of 1800 nights of respite services in the region,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.
‘The $3.4 million will also generate seven new permanent residential care officer jobs, as well as other part-time positions,’ she said.
Toowoomba business finalist in green awards
Toowoomba-based company Wagners is a finalist in the 2009 Queensland Sustainable Industries Awards, Innovation in Sustainable Technologies category.
Wagners has developed a recyclable fibre composite material to replace hardwood in boardwalks, piers and decking.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones visited Wagners while in Toowoomba for the Community Cabinet.
‘This Wagners product is six times stronger than steel and concrete, and at a fraction of the weight, it is easy to assemble and does not rot or rust,’ Ms Jones said.
Funds for a healthy, active lifestyle
The Queensland Government has injected $601,386 into Toowoomba and surrounding region to help the community become more physically active.
Minister for Sport Phil Reeves announced that Toowoomba Regional Council will receive $40,000 to develop a strategic sport and recreation plan and $25,000 to upgrade practice cricket nets at Hodgson Vale Oval. Funding has also been provided for construction of walk/cycleways - $34,000 for Briggs/Yandilla/Hume Streets, Pittsworth; $39,168 for Arthur Shooter Park, Oakey; $99,937 for Ruthven Street, Kearney Springs; $87,000 for Nelson Street, Kearney Springs; $85,125 for Kearney Street, Kearney Springs; $97,312 for Baker Street, Darling Heights; and $93,844 for West Street, Darling Heights/South Toowoomba.
Pipeline's rapid progress
Construction of the Toowoomba Pipeline is making good progress, with just over 10 per cent of the 30 kilometre pipeline completed.
The $187 million pipeline, running from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam is due to be completed by January 2019. Five crews are laying up to 350 metres of pipe a day.
‘The rest of South East Queensland has had some good rain, but we have not forgotten Toowoomba's dams are under 10 per cent and the situation remains dire,’ Premier Anna Bligh said.
The pipeline will have the capacity to deliver 14,200 megalitres of water a year to Cressbrook Dam.
Prison brings jobs to Lockyer Valley
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Neil Roberts has visited Gatton and the construction site of the new 300-bed women's correctional centre.
The $485 million facility will provide up to 450 jobs during construction and create 200 new jobs in a range of roles when the project is completed.
Mr Roberts said most of the structural work will be completed by Christmas.
