Find out what FNQ got this state budget

The wins and losses for our region


Article heading image for Find out what FNQ got this state budget

Far North politicians are describing the State Budget as too Brisbane-centric.  

Cairns MP Rob Pyne says while there were some sweeteners, overall it was a disappointment. 

"We've got overcrowded schools getting new classrooms, well that's the business of government that's not a special announcement," he said. 

"This government needs to really focus on making up for the systemic neglect of Far North Queensland".

Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth agrees, he says "we never really saw a lot in regards to infrastructure and development and major infrastructure projects".

So what did we get?

Below is a list of wins for the Far North: 

Health:

• $128.9 million funding boost to the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service - this will lower the current deficit from $80 million to $39.9 million at the end of June 2017

• $14.1 million to help meet the future demand on hospital outpatient services like the bowel screening program and the Ear Nose and Throat specialist. 

• $70 million mental health facility in Cairns - we'll only see 3 million this financial year to start planning

Close the gap: 

• $1.2 million for the Youth Employment Program in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba to assist students and job seekers transition into work, training or higher education


Education:  

• Cairns West State School: $4.6 million in 2017-18 out of a $4.8 million total spend to construct additional classrooms.

• Trinity Bay State High School: $4.8 million in 2017-18 out of a $5.2 million total spend to construct a multi-purpose hall.

• Mareeba State School: $3.3 million in 2017-18 out of a $3.4 million total spend to conduct master planning and commence redevelopment.

• Gordonvale State school: $3.6 million in 2017-18 out of a $3.9 million total spend to construct an indoor sports facility.

Infrastructure:  

• $120 million for the Cairns Shipping Development Project - this money is subject to the release of an Environmental Impact Statement into dredging the shipping channel

• $176 million to expand the Cairns Convention Centre into a state-of-the-art international venue - this financial year we're only getting 1 million dollars to build a business case, then if it's accepted we'll get the rest. 

• $9.2 million in 2017-18 out of a $58 million total spend for stage two of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor. 

• $1.6 million in 2017-18 out of a $3.1 million total spend to relocate and upgrade the Gordonvale auxiliary fire and rescue station. 

• $5.6 million in 2017-18 out of a $6 million total spend to construct and establish new police operational facilities in Cairns. Part of the Accelerated Works Program

14 June 2017




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