Western Downs and Maranoa Councils in Queensland will receive almost $20 million in funding from the Newman Government’s Royalties for the Regions program.
The funding will pay for road upgrades, new waste transfer stations and increased capacity at a wastewater plant.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney announced the funding at the opening of QGC’s Kenya Water Treatment Plant near Chinchilla today.
Maranoa Regional Council will receive $12.4 million for three projects while Western Downs Regional Council will spend $6.95 million on seven projects.
“Through Royalties for the Regions, the Queensland Government is giving back to the communities that support resource projects – reinvesting a share of royalties to help build new and improved community, road and floodplain security infrastructure,” Mr Seeney said.
“This is about supporting projects that increase liveability and offer a long term attractive lifestyle in resource regions for generations of Queenslanders to come.”
Member for Warrego Howard Hobbs said he had championed the Royalties for the Regions program for many years and he was delighted to see the program in action.
In Maranoa $400,000 has been allocated for the $600,000 Roma Sewerage Treat Plant to increase capacity for current and future demand.
Both councils will now have to submit a detailed business case for each project to have the funding confirmed by the end of the year.
Royalties for the Regions will invest $495 million in regional projects over the four years to 2015-16.
