Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has called on the State Government to give Bundaberg and Burnett their fair share of funding in tomorrow’s State Budget with less glossy announcements, less spin, and real money.
Mr Bennett said there needs to be a serious commitment to the regions health and housing sectors as well as transport and water infrastructure.
“We need to see real funding in THIS budget for a new Level 5 University Hospital,” he said.
“This was a 2020 election commitment and so far, the majority of the promised funds have been pushed out into future budgets.
“We need a level 5 University Hospital, not a hospital with some potential level 5 services.
“The entire Wide Bay Health and Hospital System is in crisis and I’m calling for more support for our frontline staff.
“We need immediate action to get vulnerable patients off stretches, out of corridors and into beds.
“It’s not just in Bundaberg, I’ve also been asking for more health infrastructure and support in Agnes Water and Childers for years and will continue until we see real change.
“Queenslanders deserve a world-class health system, no matter where they live.”
Mr Bennett said the regions road network is also in dire need of an upgrade.
“Whether you’re traveling north or south in the Burnett, you will find dangerous intersections and very little space to safely overtake.
“I’m continuing my calls for safe overtaking lanes on both the Isis Highway and Bundaberg-Miriam Vale Road.
“Local families need to be able to travel across the region safely and the State Government has a role to play in reducing risks on our roads.
“We also need real money for Paradise Dam.
“That dam is the lifeblood of our region, and the State Government needs to commit today to see it fully restored.
“We cannot afford to see this funding pushed out into future budgets.”
Mr Bennett said in the middle of a Cost of Living Crisis, he expects a real commitment to driving down skyrocketing expenses.
“Families are hurting,” he said.
“Steven Miles needs to explain if he will continue being the Pretend Premier, or if he will finally front-up on cost of living.
“Families are buckling under rising costs and they deserve an answer about whether Labor will block cost of living support.
“Labor’s chaos and crisis has driven-up costs in electricity, water, insurance and transport.
“Queenslanders deserve a break and shouldn’t have to continue to pay for Labor’s failures.”
Please see below a list of a priority projects for the Burnett.
Priority Bundaberg and Burnett Projects
- Real commitment to Level 5 University Hospital
- Real commitment to Paradise Dam
- WBHHS staff support across Bundaberg and the Burnett
- Agnes Water Health Infrastructure or partnership funding
- Bundaberg-Miriam Vale Road overtaking lanes
- Isis Highway overtaking lanes
- Bargara-Hughes Road intersection upgrade
- Moneys Creek Lagoon Rehabilitation
- Agnes Water Neighbourhood Centre
- Essendeen Bridge and Tablelands Road flood mitigation
- Moneys Creek Lagoon Rehabilitation
- Multimodal pathway between Bundaberg and Bargara
- Round Hill Creek rehabilitation
- Paper Bark Walk upgrade and protection
- Walker’s Point boat ramp upgrade
- Support for RFS, VMR and SES volunteers
- Elliott Heads SS New Prep Building
ENDS.
10/06/2024