A visit by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to Bundaberg today resulted in one long awaited announcement and a broad hint of more to come.
Mayor Jack Dempsey hosted the visit at the Bundaberg Multiplex where the Premier and Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe were walked through a selection of the major projects planned for the Bundaberg Region including the site for the new aquatic facility.
Premier Palaszczuk said she knew how much the Bundaberg community was looking forward to the announcement of the new Level 5 hospital site.
“The site is five kilometres south of the CBD on land bounded by the Ring Road and near Kay McDuff Drive. The business case associated with the new hospital is being completed and will be to government in early 2021,” she said.
“It’s going to be a fantastic asset for the community and is going to mean hundreds of jobs in the future,” the Premier said.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said the announcement was one of the largest in the history of the region involving the delivery of an infrastructure project.
He said it was a world class project delivering unparalleled economic stimulus and job creation for the Bundaberg Region.
“It’s not just the hospital. It’s the university jobs and education and the impact this project will have on the youth of this region in the years ahead.”
The Premier said she was pleased to be able to share time with the Mayor and to hear of some of the projects associated with Council’s future vision for the Bundaberg Region.
Mayor Dempsey said it was fantastic to have the Premier in attendance and to witness the State and Council united in delivering project opportunities for the future growth of the region.
“We shared our vision on a broad range of projects which involved infrastructure, education, recreation and job creation and the Premier and the Minister were both impressed with the scope and diversity of the projects in Council’s pipeline.”
The Premier also touched on an additional $7 million in funding for local Works for Queensland projects which have been widely endorsed by councils and communities across Queensland.
She said it is part of the government’s “unite and recover” strategy to support job ready projects and get people into employment.
Mayor Dempsey said the Council saw its Works for Queensland projects as providing the maximum ‘bang for bucks’ in delivering projects right across the region. “These are often smaller projects but are important in improving the lives of our residents no matter where they live in our great region.”
In parting the Premier praised the Bundaberg Region for its adherence to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Stay safe and if you are sick stay home. Bundaberg, you are doing a mighty job,” she said.
Fantastic news and the proposed site is ideal.
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