Homeowners from Mackay and The Whitsundays residents are optimistic about what the 2021 Federal Budget will offer to the region.
Published on: May 24, 2021
The Whitsunday News team confirmed that the Government had set aside a prebudget of $400m for the Bruce Highway, from Mackay to Proserpine and Rockhampton to Gladstone. This is meant to cover floodproofing, safety improvements and reducing congestion.
The Federal Government's has allocated $258m to support new dams and irrigation projects alongside the $3.5bn National Water Grid Fund.
Another good news for Mackay Whitsunday residents!
They will soon benefit from the Government's prebudget commitment in establishing a reinsurance fund in case of a cyclone and related flood damage in Northern Australia from July 1, 2022.
The budget papers did not show any specific allocations for the Peak Downs Highway or Urannah Dam.
Additional allocation of $15.6m in 2021-22 for competitive grants was given to support gas field trials in the North Bowen and Galilee basins.
These trials aim to "improve geological understanding in the region, overcome technical drilling challenges, and determine gas flow rates" in partnership with industry experts from the University of Queensland and the Queensland government.
This was planned to be an advanced step in attracting new investments. It will also aid companies to work with gas consumers in entering supply contracts.
The Mackay area has been included in the Government's previously announced "four regions of growth" – which will secure targeted assistance to build economies of scale, encourage private investment and grow key regional industries.
The Budget documents show Mackay Whitsunday has been labelled a Tourism Aviation Network Support Location and Tropical North Queensland, Townsville, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.
The following areas benefited from the subsidised half-price tickets designed to stimulate domestic tourism higher during the fallout from the COVID pandemic.
According to the Whitsunday Times, the Whitsunday Mackay region will also benefit from broader funding pledges.
