Jobs will be created and vital works carried out with the establishment of a new road and construction unit at the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, made possible thanks $1.1 million in funding from the Palaszczuk Government.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the benefits of this initiative would be felt by the entire community.
"The establishment of a road and construction unit with a fleet of yellow plant such as backhoes, loaders, graders and rollers, will fill a large hole in the council’s workforce and capabilities," Ms Cook said.
"Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk saw first-hand the need to establish this unit following the damage caused by Cyclone Nora in March, and made it a priority to fund the Kowanyama Economic Growth and Jobs Initiative through the 2018-19 State Budget.
"The fleet of yellow plant will allow the council to develop business opportunities and employment, with the road and construction unit able to focus on disaster recovery works, Main Roads contract works and general council works."
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the $1.1 million contribution from the Palaszczuk Government was a great result for the local community. "The Palaszczuk Government is working closely with Councils like Kowanyama to ensure they have access to essential plant and equipment to build and maintain local roads," he said. "Through its business plan, the Council has indicated it will maintain and renew the fleet as required."
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Mayor Michael Yam said the benefits for the community would be felt for years to come.
"This initiative will have Kowanyama far better placed to deal with clean-ups following cyclones, as well as handle road maintenance and construction efficiently, effectively and most important, in-house," Mayor Yam said.
"Having the capability to do these works will create jobs for Kowanyama and boost the local economy. It’s a wonderful example of what can be achieved when the two levels of government work together for the benefit of the entire community."
In the 2018-19 State Budget, the Queensland Government committed funding of $1.1 million to the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Economic Growth and Jobs Initiative (Yellow Plant) to create local jobs and procure appropriate heavy equipment to establish a road and construction unit within the Council.
