The Federal Government has announced major spending in Central and Northern Queensland as a part of its 2022 budget.
Key Points:
- The Government will invest $1.7 billion in large-scale infrastructure to help North and Central.
- The Federal Government revealed it will give $15.6m to support the delivery of a Gas Wells Trials initiative in the North Bowen and Galilee basins.
- The Federal Government will invest $80 million towards the future construction of the Bowen Pipeline.
- The Government will invest $1.7 billion in large-scale infrastructure including $483 million towards the future construction of Urannah Dam.
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from cairns post 29.3.22
MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR injections into major infrastructure, gas and water projects have been revealed for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday regions, as part of the 2022-23 federal budget.
The Federal Government revealed it will give $15.6m to the Queensland Government to support the delivery of a Gas Wells Trials initiative in the North Bowen and Galilee basins.
The initiative aims to improve gas recovery and lower production costs through a better understand of the regions’ geotechnical properties and by trialling innovative gas drilling and well completion techniques.
This is in addition to a major investment in the North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority, which is based in Bowen.
The government will provide $11.6m over five years from 2022-23 to continue the authority and expand its remit to support the development and delivery of water infrastructure in North Queensland.
The Government will invest $1.7 billion in large-scale infrastructure to help North and Central Queensland realise its potential, including $483 million towards the future construction of Urannah Dam.
The proposed site of the Urannah Dam west of Mackay. Proponents of the dam argue it will open up new agricultural crops in the region. Picture: Supplied
It will also invest $80 million towards the future construction of the Bowen Pipeline, subject to completion of the detailed business case, confirmation of total delivery costs and co-funding, and demonstration of value for money and public benefit.
The region will also benefit from the $7.1 billion Government’s Energy Security and Regional Development Plan.
The funding, which will be released over 11 years, will strengthen infrastructure and supply chains in the Northern Territory, North and Central Queensland, the Pilbara and the Hunter.
THE Federal Government will make an additional 11,000 working holiday-maker visas available for prospective backpackers in an attempt at filling the shortfall the Covid-19 pandemic created in the jobs market.
Working holiday-makers, who regularly find employment on Central Queensland farms, have been missed since international travel essentially ground to a halt, and many farmers have struggled to meet demand amid the pandemic.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said the government recognised the importance of the visitor economy on the country’s prosperity.
“To support Australia’s economic future and the sustained growth of the tourism sector, the Morrison government has announced a one-off cap increase to the number of places available to working holiday-makers from countries with which Australia has a working holiday-maker (subclass 462) visa arrangement,” Mr Hawke said.
Farmers who need fruit pickers could have their pick soon. Picture: ANDY ROGERS
“As a result, around 11,000 additional WHM visas will be available for prospective backpackers. This measure is estimated to increase the underlying cash balance by $45m over the next three years.
“To further encourage the arrival of WHMs to Australia, between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022, working holiday-maker (sub classes 417 and 462) visa holders who arrive in Australia can apply for a refund of the visa application charge.
“This complements visa refunds for student (subclass 500) visa holders who arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022.”
