- A $100 million boost has been announced for a Queensland Government program so regional councils can deliver more local infrastructure, adding to $200 million in allocated funding.
- There will now be $300 million available through Works for Queensland for regional council projects to be delivered under the 2024-2027 funding round.
- This is the first time a Works for Queensland funding round has exceeded $200 million,
- The Palaszczuk Government ‘s total Works for Queensland investment now stands at $1.1 billion over five rounds since 2016.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced a 50 per cent increase in investment for essential regional infrastructure, under the successful Works for Queensland program.
Queensland’s 65 regional councils will now share in an extra $100 million in program funding for essential community infrastructure projects.
The upcoming 2024-27 Works for Queensland round will provide $300 million in funding to support critical local projects like water and sewerage infrastructure, housing and regional economic development.
The increase follows a decision by the Palaszczuk Government to further strengthen support for regional councils and their communities.
Funding guidelines for councils are expected to be released in April 2024 and will be developed in consultation with the Local Government Association of Queensland.
By the end of the current 2021-24 funding round it’s estimated Works for Queensland will have created and supported more than 26,000 jobs in regional Queensland with that figure to further increase as new projects get underway.
The Palaszczuk Government continues to provide infrastructure funding for other councils through the South-East Queensland Community Stimulus Program and the Indigenous Councils Funding Program.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
“I’ve heard directly from Mayors and Councillors around Queensland how beneficial the Works for Queensland program is for their communities.
“That’s why we are boosting the next round by 50 per cent – putting an extra $100 million on the table to build the infrastructure regional communities need to grow and thrive.
“It will support critical local projects like water infrastructure, housing and regional economic development.
“We know regional councils do much of the heavy lifting needed to build and grow great communities.
“They’ve asked for more assistance to provide the infrastructure their communities need, and we’ve delivered.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:
“Works for Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government’s signature local stimulus program, creating jobs and improving communities across regional Queensland.
“This is a record level of funding from the Palaszczuk government for local projects – $300 million up from the previous $200 million.
“By the end of the current 2021-24 funding round it’s estimated that Works for Queensland will have supported or created more than 26,000 jobs in regional Queensland across almost 2,200 projects, with that number to increase when the new funding round begins in July 2024.
“Works for Queensland continues to be successful and is a great example of two levels of government working together to deliver for local communities.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd:
“Works for Queensland has supported communities the length and breadth of Queensland, it has been an enormous benefit particularly to regional and remote areas of our state.
“It’s created thousands of jobs and supported communities. I’ve seen firsthand how our regions have benefited from the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in them.
“This massive boost in funding will mean councils can keep delivering critical infrastructure and good jobs for locals, I look forward to seeing these projects delivered across the state.”
