The growth of Bundaberg and the surrounding region has been stunted under the Palaszczuk Labor Government, with the government remaining tight-lipped on plans to develop the Bundaberg Port.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the Bundaberg Port had gone from strength to strength under the former LNP state Government’s leadership, but progress on the Barubbra Shores project had come to an abrupt halt since the election earlier this year.
Mr Bennett said a master plan was moved forward under the LNP to see improved riverfront and marina access, new public green space, new shopping and businesses and residential opportunities, following years of neglect by Labor.
“This is an extremely important project which will attract investment, significantly boost economic activity and create more jobs for our region, as well as provide lifestyle benefits for the region,” Mr Bennett said.
“The previous LNP Government recognised the benefits this redevelopment would bring, which is why we released a master plan to set the development in motion.
“By releasing this plan we had a blueprint to create investment opportunities, attract tourists and generate new employment in the Bundaberg region.
“We promised to deliver better infrastructure and planning, and we actively sought to achieve this by releasing this master plan.”
He said the origins of this project go back as far as 2009, when the then Bligh Labor Government sat on the project.
“It seems history is repeating itself, with the current Palaszczuk Government completely ignoring this project.
“There’s absolutely no reason why construction on this redevelopment shouldn’t have started already.
“We have heard very little about this important project since Labor took over at the last election earlier this year.”
He said these unnecessary delays is costing the community around 500 construction jobs.
“With the Wide Bay unemployment rate sitting at more than 11%, it’s absolutely essential this project goes ahead.”
Mr Bennett said while the LNP had plans to grow the region’s economy, increase export trade and create jobs, Labor had completely ignored the region.
“We made real progress in government, but now we are back to the old days with Labor sitting on important projects.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning, Small Business, Employment and Trade, Tim Nicholls, who joined Mr Bennett at Bundaberg’s Port today, said the State Government handed down a budget in July that cut investment to the Wide Bay region by 33%.
“There is no reason why this project is being held up. A master plan was put in place by the LNP while we were in Government,” he said.
“This plan was put into motion by the LNP and all the Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to do is dust off the books and let this go ahead.”
Mr Nicholls pointed to CCIQ’s latest edition of the Pulse Survey on Business Conditions where the Central Coast region showed a sharp drop in business confidence.
“Confidence is at record lows in the Central Coast and to delay this project which would create jobs and promote growth is a blow to businesses throughout the region.”