Almost 300 jobs have already been created or supported in Cairns through the Palaszczuk Government's $600 million Works for Queensland program.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said projects delivered through the program include the Centenary Lakes Nature Play area and boardwalk, the Yellow Arrow Walking Trail and major improvements along the Holloways Beach Foreshore.
Across three rounds of the program, he said that more than $45 million had been allocated to the Cairns Regional Council to help deliver 32 projects, all aimed at improving livability in this stunning part of the State.
"So far, 289 local jobs have been created or supported through the program, and the Cairns Regional Council estimates a further 56 jobs will be created or supported by 2021," he said.
"I congratulate the council for wholeheartedly embracing the Works for Queensland program and delivering infrastructure that will be well used for many generations to come.
"It doesn't stop there, though, as Works for Queensland is having a huge impact in communities right across Queensland as well as in Cairns, with more than 21,000 jobs supported or created in regional Queensland by 2021."
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the funding provided through the Works for Queensland program had enabled many projects to become a reality much sooner.
"Living in Cairns is all about enjoying a relaxed lifestyle and this program has allowed us to progress projects like the upgrade of Cattana Wetlands, the Redlynch Master Plan and the Holloways Beach foreshore plan much quicker than we ever thought possible," he said.
"I thank the Queensland Government for the wonderful initiative that is Works for Queensland and I know our community is grateful for the investment in our city by the Government.
"Being able to deliver more than $2.5 million in footpaths and improve the busy O'Brien Road area near two Smithfield schools means the funding is making a real difference here.
"It's truly wonderful to see what can be achieved when the two levels of government work together."
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said that Gordonvale's Greenpatch received a $1.75 million contribution from the Palaszczuk Government to transform it from a basic camping site to a free short-stay campground and day-use location.
"I've been working with Council for many years to formalise the management of Greenpatch to attract RV tourists and stimulate the economy of the Gordonvale business district.
"I supported changes to the Land Act 1994, which enabled the State Government to provide Council with a secondary tenure over the land, so that Council can manage the site, on State land.
"New amenities and hot showers, potable water, picnic shelters and BBQs make it a fantastic family-friendly place to visit, while a new flood warning system will increase visitor safety."
The Greenpatch project is one of nine recently completed projects funded through the 2017-19 second round of the signature Works for Queensland program.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said that in the second round of the program, the Cairns region had received more than $15 million for projects.
"First and foremost, it's great that this program has supported dozens of jobs across this area – this means security for families and certainty for young people entering the job market.
"All these projects not only improve the lifestyle of Cairns' residents but also deliver core infrastructure improvements to the city's transport network and stormwater drainage," he said.
"In this project round alone we've been able to upgrade O'Brien Road, renew footpaths and work on the Cattana Wetlands Improvement Plan."
