Community Cabinet News - Mackay/Sarina - August/September 2008
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Premier's message
I was delighted to hold this, my ninth Community Cabinet, at Mackay and Sarina.
Both Mackay and Sarina make valuable contributions to Queensland’s economy and way of life, through tourism, industry and agriculture. This is a vibrant and exciting part of the state.
These gatherings give my ministers, heads of departments and me an opportunity to hear first hand what issues are important to local communities. It is part of my government’s commitment to listening to people’s concerns on their home turf.
I always enjoy meeting my fellow Queenslanders, discussing their concerns and congratulating them on their achievements. Thank you for making us so welcome in Mackay and Sarina.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Mackay Base Hospital redevelopment progresses
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Chatting with Premier Anna Bligh at the Community Cabinet luncheon at Mackay Harbour Surf Life Saving Club were Dragons Abreast Mackay members Gail Willis, Ethna Collins, Tanja Hanly (partly obscured), Jennifer Campbell, Liz Spring, Barb McBride, Lucy Milburn and Maureen Hall. Also present was Anne Tunnah.
The Mackay Base Hospital redevelopment is well on its way with the announcement that consultants have been being engaged for the building of the new hospital.
Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Health Stephen Robertson made the announcement during the Mackay Community Cabinet and the good news was welcomed by Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarrett and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin.
An initial $5.3 million funding is being spent this year in preparation for the redevelopment. This includes drawing up plans, concept work and initial site work such as the construction of a plant room.
The new three-storey, $405 million hospital will contain an increased number of operating theatres, a dedicated coronary care unit, new staff accommodation, a larger dialysis unit and new emergency and outpatient developments.
Construction is expected to start at the end of this year and the project is due for completion in 2012 or 2013.
Ergon employees fund community groups
Safe work practices by Ergon Energy employees have led to $1 million being handed over to community groups around the state. Sharing part of the bounty at Mackay Community Cabinet were (pictured) Tanja Hanly, Dragons Abreast, Mackay; Deborah Rae, Disability Enhancement Fund; Premier Anna Bligh; Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson; Alan Hobson, Proserpine Meals on Wheels; and Andrew Zammit, Dumbleton Rural Fire Brigade.
Other Mackay community groups helped over the four years of the program include Camp Quality, KidsCan, Meals on Wheels Mackay, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Central Queensland Rescue Helicopter, Angel Flight, Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Police officers honoured
Senior Sergeant Noela Dickinson has received a Queensland Police Medal for 10 years service. In 2007 as the District Domestic Violence coordinator, Noela lead her team to win the Department of Communities’ Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Award. She has spent all of her 11 years service with the QPS in Mackay, following 12 years with the Northern Territory police working in the drug squad and within Indigenous communities.
Top photo, left to right: Acting Commissioner Kathy Rynders, Police Minister Judy Spence, Premier Anna Bligh and Senior Sergeant Noela Dickinson.
Others to receive 10-year Queensland Police medals were Senior Constable Karen Johnston and (pictured in bottom photo) Sergeant Neville Cox, Senior Constable Melinda Steele and Mr Craig Pinkstone.
Announcements
Better boating access
The new two-lane Bucasia boat ramp is close to completion and planning is well advanced for a new single-lane boat ramp at Apsley Way. It should be completed by June 2009.
Experience pays
The Queensland Government has announced a $177,490 jobs project that will help 35 unemployed mature-aged Mackay residents.
The Return to Work project will provide 10 people with paid work placement in business administration and equip another 25 people with computer, resume and interview skills.
Mackay’s artistic excellence
Two of Mackay’s most promising student artists have won 2008 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art and Design.
Mackay North State High School’s Khara Deurhof and Whitsunday Anglican School’s Madison Strutynski were selected from nearly 550 entries. Their work featured in a student exhibition at the Mackay Old Town Hall.
Road safety improvements at Sarina
New traffic signals have been switched on at the Bruce Highway/Anzac Street intersection in Sarina.
The $500,000 project will improve safety at the busy intersection, which has more than 11,000 vehicles travelling through every day.
‘Bitumen resurfacing associated with the works has also been completed between the Sarina Beach Road turn-off and Johnson Street,’ Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt said.
Main Roads thanks motorists and residents for their patience throughout the project.
Whitsunday women wanted in the boardroom
Minister for Women Margaret Keech met with Mackay and Whitsunday businesswomen at Airlie Beach to encourage them to consider making themselves available for appointment to Queensland Government boards.
For more information visit the Office for Women website – www.women.qld.gov.au – and follow the link to the Women on Boards strategy.
Alliance signals increased capacity for QR
Minister for Transport John Mickel announced two new alliance projects to carry out widespread signalling work in the Goonyella and Blackwater coal systems.
‘QR has signed agreements to work with three companies – Westinghouse Rail Systems Australia, Ansaldo STS and the United Group – to form two program alliances for rail projects,’ Mr Mickel said.
The project work undertaken by the alliances will generate around 200 new jobs within the area.
New fire truck for Mackay
A new fire truck worth over $500,000 has been delivered to the North Mackay fire station.
The Mercedes Atego Type 3 Appliance, fitted with the latest firefighting and road crash rescue equipment, became operational in late July.
In addition, the Joint Emergency Services Facility at North Mackay is undergoing a facelift, with enhancements worth $350,000 being undertaken.
Child Safety a priority
Minister for Child Safety Margaret Keech attended a child protection breakfast in Mackay. She announced the approval of more than $2.1 million over the next three years to help protect Mackay and Whitsunday children and young people from child abuse.
Information on becoming a foster or kinship carer is available on the Child Safety website www.childsafety.qld.gov.au
Giving young people a stronger voice
Minister for Communities and Youth Lindy Nelson-Carr met with young people who are helping to develop a Mackay Regional Council youth policy.
‘With a $40,000 State Government grant, the Take Me Seriously 2 forum in November will give younger people a stronger voice in decision making,’ Ms Nelson-Carr said.
‘It’s the second forum with the first one held in the previous separate council areas. Now it is time to develop a whole-of-region policy and I applaud the council for its leadership,’ she said.
Community heroes honoured
Four Mackay-Whitsunday residents have been presented with Blueprint for the Bush Community Hero Awards by Minister for Local Government Warren Pitt.
The awards went to Ted Bussey for his work in Mirani with the Rural Fire Brigade, Rotary Club and State Canegrowers Board; Jeffrey Timor for his work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Mackay District Health Council; Pam Vit-Tommara for her work with Indigenous and South Sea Islander people throughout the region; and Janette Birch for her work with Remote Area Family Services.
Mackay-Bucasia Road upgrade
Work on the $17 million upgrade and four-laning of the Mackay-Bucasia Road was inspected by Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt while he was in the Northern Beaches area for the Community Cabinet.
The project is part of the State Government’s record $17 billion infrastructure construction program this financial year.
Last updated Thursday, May 21, 2009
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