Townsville pedestrians will be able to enjoy the city's beauty in greater safety with footpaths being upgraded across the city, made possible with the Palaszczuk Government's $600 million Works for Queensland program.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper inspected some of the works being carried out thanks to more than $7.3 million from the 2019-21 round of funding from the program.
"With the pandemic creating economic upheaval across the globe, it's more important than ever to invest in our communities," Mr Harper said.
"The Palaszczuk Government has a strong record of delivering for Townsville and we are continuing to support job creation as part of Queensland's economic recovery plan.
"These upgrades to Townsville's network of footpaths will not only provide greater safety for pedestrians, but also provide work for tradies, landscapers and suppliers."
Mr Harper said associated landscaping would also add to Townsville's already beautiful city.
"Importantly, these improvements will support jobs and ensure the community is better connected than ever," Mr Harper said.
"I'm delighted that funding has come from the Works for Queensland program, which has had such a positive impact on Townsville.
"In all, the Townsville City Council has received more than $69 million from the program to help deliver 96 projects that have already created or supported close to 1,600 jobs."
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Works for Queensland program was making a difference to communities across the state.
"While Townsville is certainly experiencing the benefits of this job-creating initiative as we recover from the global coronavirus pandemic, we are also seeing employment opportunities flowing throughout regional Queensland," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"New and upgraded paths, parks, roads, water infrastructure and much more are being funded by Works for Queensland to improve liveability in our towns, cities and regions.
"In fact, 1,860 projects across the state have received funding from the program, creating or supporting more than 20,000 jobs so far."
Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland's continuing strong health response had allowed the Palaszczuk Government to keep delivering Queensland's plan for economic recovery.
"We committed an additional $200 million to our COVID Works for Queensland program, which provided regional communities with a timely boost to support jobs and deliver infrastructure.
"Here in Townsville, the Townsville City Council also received more than $13.5 million through this program, tipped to create or support another 84 jobs.
"That is a wonderful result for Townsville jobseekers and families."
Mr Hinchliffe also visited the new Mountaineer playground at Cambridge Park and the new bicycle track at Kevin Schreiber Rotary Park, both funded through Works for Queensland.
Townsville City Council Acting Mayor Mark Molachino said the Works for Queensland program was having a positive economic impact on the city.
"The projects it is assisting the council deliver are not only generating much-needed employment opportunities, they are improving liveability and helping to make Townsville an even more beautiful place in which to live and visit," Cr Molachino said.
"Works for Queensland is a genuine partnership between our two levels of government and it's our community reaping the rewards."
Townsville City Council has also been allocated $13.54 million through the COVID Works for Queensland program to help deliver eight projects which the council estimates will create or support 84 jobs.
