Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
‘Royalties for the Regions’ applications open soon
Councils in regions impacted by resource developments will soon be able to seek funding for critical infrastructure projects with applications for the LNP Government’s ‘Royalties for the Regions’ program opening in September.
Premier Campbell Newman made the announcement today of the establishment of a ‘Royalties for the Regions’ framework – ticking off another First 100 Days Action Plan commitment.
Mr Newman said under the framework, councils applying for funding would be asked to work with their community, industry and other regional groups to prioritise projects that best meet their local area’s needs.
“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,” he 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.”
Mr Newman said the LNP Government’s ‘Royalties for the Regions’ framework was made up of three funding streams:
• Resource Community Building Fund – to deliver improved community infrastructure such as education and health facilities, community centres and sporting facilities ($170 million over four years)
• Roads to Resources – to enhance the safety, connectivity and capacity of roads servicing resource communities ($285 million over four years)
• Floodplain Security Scheme – to build levees, flood bypasses, flood mitigation dams, flood retention basins and other key projects to protect Queensland communities from flooding. ($40 million over four years, with $40 million funding to be sought from the Commonwealth and $20 million from local governments)
Mr Newman said applications for the first round of funding would be called in September thi s year, with $60 million available in 2012/13 and successful projects to be announced in early 2013.
“My Government is investing $495 million over four years through the Royalties for the Regions framework with the focus of the first round to be on critical or urgent infrastructure projects,” he said.
“The available funding will build over time to an ongoing commitment of $200 million a year. The program will also provide an alternative means for resource companies to contribute funds under their Social Impact Management Plans.
“This is about putting an end to years of Labor neglect and ensuring people in regional Queensland benefit from the income generated by their hard work and our resources.”
Councils eligible for ‘Royalties for the Regions’ funding are those with communities experiencing negative impacts from large scale developments and/or their role as service centres and hosts of major infrastructure projects linked to resource develop ments.
These include:
• Banana Shire Council
• Barcaldine Regional Council
• Central Highlands Regional Council
• Cloncurry Shire Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Isaac Regional Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Maranoa Regional Council
• Mount Isa City Council
• Rockhampton Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council
• Townsville City Council
• Western Downs Regional Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council
