Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has called on the State Government to give Bundaberg and Burnett their fair share of funding ahead of the State Budget being handed down next week.
Mr Bennett said there needs to be a serious commitment for the regions health sector, roads, water infrastructure and social housing.
“We need a real guarantee of funds for a new Level 5 hospital,” he said.
“Not a commitment for a hospital with some potential level 5 services. A commitment for a level 5 hospital as outlined in the Queensland Health’s Clinical Services and Capability Framework. *
“This was promised during the 2020 election and I will not stop fighting for it until it is delivered.
“The entire Wide Bay Health and Hospital System needs attention including in Agnes Water where there is no health infrastructure for 125 kilometres.”
Mr Bennett said the regions road network is also in dire need of an upgrade.
“Whether you are traveling north or south in the Burnett, you will find dangerous intersections and very little space to safely overtake.
“That’s why 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 proper funding to see it fully restored.”
The Member for Burnett said with increasing numbers of residents in desperate need of a roof over their heads, there needs to be serious investment into social housing across the Wide Bay.
“Every week vulnerable people are calling my office as a last resort, with nowhere to shelter their families, animals, or belongings,” said Mr Bennett.
“Emergency accommodation is full, there is no more social housing available, and the rental crisis is still at an all-time high here in the Bundaberg and Burnett region.
“We need to act now and fast-track social housing.
“That’s why I’m calling on the State Labor Government to re-evaluate their priorities and accelerate their strategy outside of the South-East corner.”
Mr Bennett said with cost-of-living expenses skyrocketing, there needs to be a commitment to no new taxes.
“Families are hurting,” he said.
“People are struggling to stay afloat, and we need to see the State Government show some compassion and commit to no new taxes.
“We simply won’t be able to cope.
“We need to see the Labor Government stop wasteful spending and invest in real projects that will make an immediate difference to Queenslander’s lives.
“We need them to rule our the ‘sun tax’ that could seriously hurt families who have done the right thing by installing solar panels at their own expense.
“To see a ‘sun tax’ rolled out in Bundaberg, a region that has the largest uptake of solar panels by population in the nation, would be a complete slap in the face.”
Mr Bennett has compiled a list of several projects he hopes to see in this year’s State Budget below:
Top Priority Bundaberg and Burnett Projects
- Bundaberg-Miriam Vale Road overtaking lanes/pull over areas
- Isis Highway over taking lanes
- Bargara-Hughes Road school safety intersection
- Investment into Social Housing outside the Southeast corner
- Real commitment to Level 5 hospital
- Real money for Paradise Dam
- Agnes Water neighbourhood Centre
- Agnes Water Health Infrastructure
- Essendeen bridge and Tablelands Road flood mitigation
- Moore Park Road flood mitigation
- Bike path between Bundaberg and Bargara
- Walker’s Point boat ramp upgrade
- Additional rural fire fighting appliances
- No new taxes
ENDS.
16/06/22