State Budget an investment in Mulgrave’s future

by | Jun 14, 2011 | Media Releases

Education and vital social services underpin the 2011-12 State Budget for people who live, work and go to school in Mulgrave, local Member and Minister for Disability Services, Mental Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Curtis Pitt said today.

“Education is the key to a better, brighter future and I’m delighted that we’ll be able to deliver top-notch programs and facilities to give local children a flying start to education here in the Far North,” Minister Pitt said.

“More than $2.3 million has been allocated to the construction of the Cairns Early Years Centre at Bentley Park College, and more than $1.8 million to provide integrated health, support

services and early childhood education for families of children up to eight years of age.

“There’s the first $1.11 million towards the new kindy based at White Rock State School.

“On top of that, an extensive maintenance program worth around $43,000 will be undertaken at our local schools to upgrade our facilities,” he said.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the 2011-12 State Budget focused heavily on the Government’s priorities.

“This budget puts first and foremost our plans to rebuild Queensland after the natural disasters and invest in our future,” Mr Fraser said.

Minister Pitt said the far north would also see a significant investment in disability services and support for carers and families.

“$606,000 will go to Autism Queensland to help children with autism and their families to make the transition to school easier for them,” Mr Pitt said.

“More than $1.5 million will be provided to St John’s Community Care to help reduce the number of younger people with a disability living in residential aged care facilities.

“Organisations like the Endeavour Foundation and Innisfail District Flexi Respite will also be able to continue their good work supporting families and people with a disability in the region.”

Mr Pitt said there was also some good road funding initiatives in this year’s State Budget, including $41.04 million in Commonwealth funding to commence construction on the Bruce Highway upgrade between Sheehy Road at White Rock and Ray Jones Drive.

“If you live in the southern suburbs of Cairns and beyond, you know that our roads are our lifeline. Those funds set aside for our roads will be put to good use,” Mr Pitt said.

“With the tender process near completion, commuters in the southern corridor of Cairns are one step closer to reduced congestion with construction expected to start later this year.”

Mr Pitt said $1.52 million had also been allocated in the coming financial year to complete the replacement ambulance station at Gordonvale, at a total cost of $2.34 million.

“I fought hard for every single Treasury dollar for Mulgrave and I am pleased that many of our non-government partners in the disability services sector have received funds in today’s budget. They do a mighty job,” Mr Pitt said.

Communities

  • $606,000 for Autism Queensland Inc to help children with autism and their families develop the skills for a successful transition to school
  • $41,000 for Endeavour Foundation to support adults with a disability to live independently
  • $769,000 for Endeavour Foundation to support individuals with a disability
  • $74,000 for Endeavour Foundation to support school leavers with a disability make the transition from school
  • $602,000 for Endeavour Foundation to provide short term and limited respite support for families, carers and people with a disability
  • $166,000 for Gurriny Yealamucka (Good Healing) Health Services Aboriginal Corporation to support people with mental illness, community awareness campaigns and community living support
  • $23,000 for Innisfail District Flexi Respite Assoc Inc to support adults with a disability to live independently
  • $14,000 for Innisfail District Flexi Respite Assoc Inc to strengthen the ability of families to care for family members with a disability who have high or complex support needs
  • $223,000 for Innisfail District Flexi Respite Assoc Inc to support school leavers with a disability to make the transition from school
  • $486,000 for Innisfail District Flexi Respite Assoc Inc to provide for short term and limited respite support for families, carers and people with a disability
  • $267,000 for Life Without Barriers to support adults with a disability to live independently
  • $200,000 for Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Ltd to support adults with a disability to live independently
  • $1.51 million for St John’s Community Care Limited Funding to help reduce the number of younger people with a disability living in residential aged care facilities
  • $50,000 towards revenue replacement for Indigenous Councils divesting or surrendering profitable general liquor licences Yarrabah
  • $2.52 million towards State Government Financial Aid for Indigenous Councils in lieu of rates to meet the costs incurred in the provision of essential services in Yarrabah
  • $160,000 towards Indigenous Economic Development projects in Yarrabah
  • $89,014 to assist the organisation to provide supervised and supported programs to youth in the Innisfail district at a total cost of $267,042
  • $102,316 to provide a specialist support service to families with dependent children under the age of 18 years where identified problems or needs in relation to the care of children, or where children or young person has been subject to abuse or neglect at a total cost of $306,948
  • $140,728 to provide a specialist support service to families with dependent children under the age of 18 years at a total cost of $422,184.
  • $20,125 to provide support services for older people, including enhancing safety and well-being at a total cost of $60,375
  • $97,880 to provide a community centre-based development and support service at a total cost of $293,640.
  • $93,594 to provide a community centre-based development and support service at a total cost of $280,782
  • $75,000 across Yarrabah for upgrades to three Indigenous housing dwellings
  • $2.86 million across Yarrabah for upgrades to 52 remote Indigenous housing dwellings
  • $2 million in Yarrabah to construct 10 new dwellings
  • $980,000 to commence construction of women’s shelter at Yarrabah (NGO not approved as yet) by using relocatable-prefabricated dwellings.
  • $391,613 to Innisfail Youth and Family Care Inc to provide counselling and support for young people at risk of homelessness, at a total cost of $1.17 million
  • $364,329 to Yarrabah Aboriginal Corporation for Women to provide crisis accommodation and support services for women and children who are at risk of or have been affected by domestic and family violence, at a total cost of $1.09 million
  • $97,892 to Innisfail Youth and Family Care Inc to provide an accommodation and support service for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, at a total cost of $293,676

“Education holds the key to a better, brighter future for our students and young children. This budget delivers a much-needed cash injection into schools and kindergartens in the fastgrowing southern suburbs,” Mr Pitt said.

Education

  • $21,000 for maintenance work at Gordonvale State High School
  • $10,000 for maintenance work at Gordonvale State School
  • $7,000 for maintenance work at White Rock State School
  • $5,000 for maintenance work at Yarrabah State School – Primary Campus
  • $2.39 million for Cairns Early Years Centre at Bentley Park College at a total cost of $4.3 million
  • $1.11 million for Kindergarten at White Rock State School at a total cost of $1.25 million
  • $1.8 million to provide integrated health, family support and early childhood education and care services for families and children (pre-birth – 8 years) through the Cairns Early Years Centre at Bentley Park and satellite services at a total cost of $5.18 million

“Construction of the new ambulance station for Gordonvale is well underway. It’s important for our local community, and I know the new facility will be well received by the hard working ambos in Gordonvale,” Mr Pitt said.

Community safety

  • $1.52 million to construct a replacement ambulance station at Gordonvale at a total cost of $2.34 million

Transport and main roads

  • $1.9 million to complete roadside delineation works at various locations on Gillies Highway Gordonvale-Atherton Road, Cairns, at a total cost of $2.4 million. Involves the electorates of Dalrymple and Mulgrave
  • $66,000 towards pavement rehabilitation of a section on Flying Fish Point Road The total State Government contribution over the life of the project is $194,000
  • $84,000 towards the installation of culverts at a causeway on Dinner Creek Road, 20kms north of Innisfail, Eubenangee with total State Government contribution over the life of the project is $84,000
  • $30,000 to complete roadside delineation works at various locations on Gillies Highway Gordonvale -Atherton Road, Cairns, at a total cost of $30,000
  • $41.04 million in Commonwealth funding to commence construction on the upgrade on the Bruce Highway (Innisfail to Cairns) between Sheehy Road and Ray Jones Drive with a total Commonwealth contribution of $150 million.
  • $322,000 in Commonwealth funding to complete intersection improvements at the Ash Street intersection, Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns), Innisfail, with a total Commonwealth contribution of $643,000

“As Minister for Mental Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, I’m pleased to see a number of Indigenous health initiatives funded in today’s budget. It will go some way towards closing the gap on health outcomes for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Pitt said.

Health

  • A share in $150,000 to provide secretariat services for the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council under the Statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Framework Agreement at a total cost of $300,000.
  • $3.33 million in Commonwealth funding across Far North Queensland for additional cancer treatment sessions at Cairns Hospital with a total Commonwealth contribution of $9.9 million
  • $4 million in Commonwealth funding across Far North Queensland toward providing cancer treatment at Cairns Hospital (total Commonwealth contribution of $6 million)
  • $214,000 across Far North Queensland for Gurriny Yealamucka (Good Healing) Health Services Aboriginal Corporation to provide clinical services and health promotion to support the implementation of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.
  • $463,000 across Far North Queensland for Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation to provide clinical services (five residential treatment beds and aftercare) to support Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Program.

“I’m pleased with what the 2011-2012 State Budget has been able to deliver for the people of Mulgrave. It’s basically a tough budget for tough times,” Mr Pitt said.

“But it’s not just about dollars. This budget is about people and what we have here are budget outcomes that will have a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. That’s what this budget is all about.”