Regional Budget Statement Western Queensland

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• $17.01 million to undertake a range of water supply infrastructure upgrades, including completing Water The 2006-07 Budget re-affirms our Government’s commitment to Pumping Station works and constructing the Mount Isa KarumKarumbaba strengthening the Smart State’s economy and investing in infrastructure and Terminal Reservoir Pump Station Normanton service delivery priorities. BurketownBurketown • $10.92 million to widen and This Regional Budget Statement outlines seal sections of the Flinders

State Budget 2006–07 Budget State how we are meeting the needs of CCamoowealamooweal Highway, $1.85 million to CCloncurryloncurry RichmondRichmond Western Queensland residents. Mount Julia Creek HughendenHughenden improve sections of the Warrego Isa Through the Health Action Plan, we DDajarraajarra are committing $9.7 billion in just over Highway and $4.97 million to WintonWinton widen sections of the Carnarvon BouBoulialia five years to build Australia’s best Longreach Barcaldine health system. Highway BBedourieedourie BBlackalllackall To meet the needs of our growing Windorah • $6.62 million to construct, population, we are investing in State- BirdsvilleBirdsville AuAugathellagathella upgrade and maintain dwellings QQuilpieuilpie wide infrastructure, especially in rural Charleville Roma Queensland where the Blueprint for in Aboriginal and Torres Strait CunnCunnamullaamulla SStt George the Bush will deliver health, water and Islander communities Thargomindah transport facilities. • $4.5 million to commence Ensuring the Smart State’s future, Prep paving and sealing the Roma- The Western Queensland region includes the Year will begin in 2007 to give our Taroom Road to support oil and city of Mount Isa and the shires of Aramac, children the best education. Balonne, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Bendemere, gas development and improve Blackall, Booringa, Boulia, Bulloo, Bungil, Burke, We are also continuing our response to regional community access Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Doomadgee, residents affected by Cyclone Larry and Flinders, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Longreach, working towards a brighter future for all • $1.5 million to progress the McKinlay, Mornington, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, Queenslanders. Richmond, Roma, Tambo, Warroo and Winton. three-year Lake Moondarra Pipeline project

• $1.2 million for the St George water supply upgrade

Peter Beattie MP • $217,000 to continue upgrading Premier of Queensland the special education facilities at Sunset State School.

Anna Bligh MP Deputy Premier and Treasurer Queensland
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4UBUF Covering almost 60% of the State, the Western Queensland Western Queensland region is home to 75,000 Queenslanders. This vast region covers more than 1 million square kilometres — four times the size of the United Kingdom — and is primarily an agricultural area. Mining, oil and gas are also key contributors to Western Queensland’s economic strength.

As a Government, we recognise the valuable contribution of Western Queensland to the Smart State’s economy. With nearly 60% of the Government’s 2006-07 capital expenditure allocated outside the Brisbane area, this Regional Budget Statement for Western Queensland highlights the Government’s commitment to the region and its people. *NQSPWJOH
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• $47 million for natural resource UIF
DPNNVOJUZ Blueprint for management projects to support sustainable land management and We are committed to providing better the Bush environmental protection practices, hospitals, services and health care tackle pests and weeds, and effectively for all Queenslanders. Within Western The Queensland Government has manage water resources Queensland, this commitment includes: developed the Blueprint for the Bush in • $30 million to strengthen rural • $1.4 million to complete construction partnership with AgForce and the Local communities, which will include grants Government Association of Queensland to of a 40-bed nursing home in Roma to non-Government organisations and enhance the sustainability, liveability and • more than $500,000 to non- local governments prosperity of rural Queensland. Beginning Government organisations for a range in 2006-07, the Blueprint commits more • $20 million to maintain and upgrade of community health services. than $150 million over the next four years housing for Indigenous people The Western Queensland region will to a range of initiatives that will assist • $5 million for rural airport upgrades rural communities. An accompanying Rural also benefit from a range of State-wide Economic Development and Infrastructure • $4.5 million for new regional planning commitments including: Plan outlines a range of Government and initiatives • $70 million for new health technology private sector investment initiatives for • $1.8 million for online access in public equipment rural and regional Queensland. libraries • $69.3 million to meet the increasing The Western Queensland region will benefit • $1 million for local governments to cost of providing existing health services from State-wide initiatives such as: assess rural infrastructure needs. • $25.4 million in increased funding for workforce training and recruitment initiatives for medical, nursing and The Government is reforming the Building a better Queensland health system. The 2005 allied health staff Action Plan marked a new start with the • $12.3 million to improve access health system biggest single injection of funding in the and meet growing demand for renal State’s history. In 2006-07, the health services. budget of $6.65 billion represents a Queensland health budget 24% increase over the 2005-06 Budget. Increased health expenditure within the 1998-99 to 2009-10 The Mount Isa Rodeo Western Queensland region includes: Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland 9,000 8,000 • $880,000 to complete the Blackall 7,000 Private Practice Clinic $ Million 6,000 5,000 • $675,000, from a State-wide 4,000 commitment of $39 million, for 3,000 enhanced cardiac services 2,000 1,000 • $307,000, from a State-wide 0 commitment of $18 million, to support community mental health services by employing additional specialist mental 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 health staff. Financial year Source: Queensland Treasury As a result of funding increases for health services, the region will receive an increase of more than 75 staff in the Central West, Charleville, Charters Towers, Mt Isa, Roma and Cape York health service districts. Value of mineral production We are providing ongoing housing and 1SPUFDUJOH
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($ million), 1990-91 to 2004-05 housing-related services to support low- income families and individuals in Western FOIBODJOH
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TBGFUZ 5,000 Queensland in 2006-07 including: The Government continues to implement 4,500 significant reforms to improve the child 4,000 • $6.62 million to construct, upgrade and 3,500 maintain dwellings in Aboriginal and protection system. A record $503.1 million, 3,000 Torres Strait Islander communities and up almost 28% since last year, will be spent 2,500 $3.37 million in grants for the Aboriginal in 2006-07 to protect our children. 2,000 and Torres Strait Islander Housing rental The region will benefit from a range of State- 1,500 program wide initiatives including: 1,000 • $2.77 million for community housing 500 • $15.6 million to continue to support

Mineral production value ($ million) programs and services to address crisis, 0 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander transitional and long-term housing needs Recognised Entities • $1.7 million for new and upgraded • $10 million for non-Government 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 public housing and to purchase land for partners to deliver extra alternative care Financial year future construction. places for children with complex needs • $7.6 million for an extra 50 front-line Source: Department of Natural Resources and Mines 3FBMJTJOH
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protection staff particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. Expenditure on new and upgraded BOE
JOOPWBUJPO emergency facilities and staffing includes: The Government continues to drive economic This is supported by a capital program of $39.7 million for 2006-07 which includes: • $9 million as part of a $35.3 million growth by utilising innovation and skills three-year commitment to recruit 144 new through its Smart Queensland: Smart State • $18.2 million to continue to upgrade ambulance officers across Queensland Strategy 2005–2015. In 2006-07, initiatives and expand Child Safety offices across the State • $816,000 to complete the replacement include $150,000 State-wide to continue the ambulance station at Aramac. Science on Saturday program to encourage • $450,000 to support service delivery children to understand the importance of hubs to be established in the Mount Isa The Government is continuing its support science and take an interest in science as a and Gulf areas. for people with disabilities and their possible future career. carers with a $1.82 million commitment in The region will also benefit from an Western Queensland including: We are committed to providing high-quality additional $1.3 million to enhance local education facilities to support Queensland’s child protection responses in several • $915,000 for community organisations growing population. In 2006-07, $1.85 remote Indigenous communities in the to support individuals with a disability million is allocated to Western Queensland Mount Isa and Gulf areas. and their families for school capital works including: We are also investing in major funding • $264,000 to assist adults with a • $760,000 investment in school initiatives to boost our police service, disability to maintain the living maintenance including $225,000 of High with the number of police officers across arrangements of their choice and Priority Maintenance program works Queensland reaching 9,728 by September participate in the community • $532,000 to Barcaldine State School to 2007 through the creation of an extra 350 • $161,000 to provide short term and continue developing covered multi- police officer positions. This will more than limited respite support for families, purpose courts meet the Government’s commitment to carers and people with a disability. • $429,000 to the Senior Campus at maintain police numbers at or above the In 2006-07, the Government continues its Mount Isa’s Spinifex State College to national average police-to-population ratio. support for services provided by community continue a major upgrade to support The Government is providing funding for groups in Western Queensland with funding multi-media initiatives with a total services and infrastructure to enhance of $9.61 million. This includes: $1.49 million project cost of $1.65 million community safety in Western Queensland. for early intervention and family support Key projects for 2006-07 include: services; $1.11 million toward domestic and • $217,000 to continue upgrading the • $1.2 million to replace the Longreach family violence prevention; and $740,000 special education facilities at Sunset police barracks with two twin-unit for child care facilities and services. State School. dwellings (stage two of the Longreach redevelopment project) • $500,000 to construct a new police Get set for Prep residence in Cloncurry. Preparatory Year will be available at all State schools from 2007 to help Queensland kids Tourism make a smooth transition to Year 1. Replacing takings ($ million), 1997-98 to 2004-05 preschool, it will lay the foundation for success at school by developing a positive 25 approach to learning; independence and 20 confidence; thinking, problem-solving and 23.9 21.1 15 20.3 19.2 18.1

language skills; physical abilities; and 16.9 10 16.3 14.5 early literacy and numeracy. To prepare for 5 the intake of eager young students, the 0 Queensland Government is undertaking one of the largest building programs in education Tourism takings ($ million) Tourism

history. Across the State, $106 million will be 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 spent on building and upgrading classrooms and other facilities, with 124 schools offering Financial year Prep Year in the Western Queensland region. Source: ABS, Tourist Accommodation, Queensland (8635.3.40.001 and 8635.3) The Harry Redford Cattle Drive strategy for responding to skills shortages across Queensland. This strategy will ensure the vocational education and training sector meets the skills challenges facing the Western Queensland region. In 2006-07, the plan will deliver: • $333,000 for new trade apprenticeships as part of our $2.85 million plan to provide 430 extra training places in the region by 2010 • $372,000 for new Certificate IV and above training places as part of our $2.61 million plan to provide 230 additional training places in the region by 2010. Other Government initiatives to create and protect jobs in the region include: • $10.63 million State-wide, as part of the four-year Smart Exploration Riders saddle-up for the annual Harry Redford Cattle Drive where they will experience an authentic Program, to collect data to support outback cattle drive. mineral exploration and investment in Queensland .BOBHJOH
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• $17.01 million to undertake a range • $6 million State-wide for 14 Regional of water supply infrastructure Tourism Offices and six Convention CVJMEJOH
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SFHJPOT upgrades, including completing Bureaus State-wide to promote Efficient and integrated transport Water Pumping Station works and Queensland’s tourism industry, with networks are essential for the ongoing constructing the Mount Isa Terminal an extra $1 million for destination development of regional Queensland. Reservoir Pump Station marketing and development In Western Queensland, major transport • $12.83 million State-wide as part • $2.16 million to protect our infrastructure initiatives include: of the Water Reform — Continuity of agricultural industry through • $18.23 million to install concrete rail Supply initiative continued biosecurity programs. sleepers between Hughenden and • $1.5 million to progress the three-year Mount Isa Lake Moondarra Pipeline project Unemployment ratea • $14.52 million to upgrade sections of • $1.2 million for the St George water 1994-95 to 2004-05 the Burke Developmental Road supply upgrade, sewerage treatment • $10.92 million to widen and seal and effluent re-use 7.0 sections of the Flinders Highway • $353,000 to refurbish infrastructure 6.0 5.0 between Torrens Creek and Jardine in the Julius, Maranoa River and St 4.0 Valley George areas. 3.0 • $4.97 million to widen sections of the Queenslanders enjoy a lifestyle with a 2.0 Carnarvon Highway high level of community participation in a 1.0 • $4.5 million to commence paving and range of sporting activities. In the Western Unemployment rate (%) 0.0 sealing the Roma-Taroom Road to Queensland region, $1.1 million is support oil and gas development and allocated to projects including: $454,495 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 improve regional community access to construct a 25-metre swimming pool • $2.27 million to pave, seal and widen and amenities at Dirranbandi; $322,500 Financial year sections of the Wills Developmental to construct an aquatic facility at Burketown; and $62,248 to construct two Source: DEWRSB - Small Area Labour Markets. (QRSIS Road database maintained by the Office of Economic and Statistical new tennis courts at Mount Isa. Research (OESR)) • $1.85 million to improve sections of (a) Data based on un-smoothed series the Warrego Highway between Miles 1SPUFDUJOH
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and Charleville. GPS
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a reliable energy supply through its The natural and cultural heritage of HPWFSONFOU Western Queensland is valued by all investment in the electricity network in The Government’s continuing 2006-07 including: Queenslanders. To reflect this, we are committing: commitment to restore public trust and • $22 million for improvements and accountability in the Queensland public overhauls to the Mica Creek power • $12.8 million State-wide to complete health system includes $7.7 million station by CS Energy the implementation of the new to establish a new Health Quality and vegetation management framework • $8.9 million by Ergon Energy for Complaints Commission. network improvements including • $24,000 to continue redeveloping the Through initiatives such as regular developing a larger geothermal power day use area in the Boodjamulla (Lawn Ministerial Regional Community station at Birdsville. Hill) National Park. Forums and Community Cabinets, the The Government is also managing the (SPXJOH
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Queensland Government engages with State’s water resources and ensuring a local communities, businesses and other continuing water supply through a range BOE
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KPCT government agencies to ensure better of initiatives including: Launched in March 2006, the $1 billion co-ordination of services and to respond Queensland Skills Plan is our Government’s to local needs. Budget Highlights 2006-07

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Stronger economic growth maintains low Improving health care and strengthening services to the community unemployment • As part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to the Health • Queensland’s economic growth Action Plan, an investment of almost $6.4 billion in just over five years is forecast to strengthen to 4¼% was announced in 2005 to relieve pressure on health services delivered in 2006-07 and exceed growth in across the State. Through the 2006-07 State Budget, funding for the rest of Australia for the 11th Queensland Health will grow by $9.7 billion over the five years. consecutive year. • Increased recurrent funding of $128 million and $6 million in capital • Employment growth is expected to funding will be invested over four years to enhance disability services exceed the rest of Australia in in Queensland. 2005-06 and 2006-07 at 3% and • More than $21 million is committed over the next three years to help 2½% respectively. fight obesity. • As a result, Queensland’s year- average unemployment rate is Protecting our children and enhancing community safety forecast to remain at 5% – around the • Additional funding of $133.2 million will be invested over four years to 30-year low, and slightly below the enhance child protection services, including $28.1 million in 2006-07. national rate (5¼%). • The Government is providing funding for an additional 350 sworn police officers across the State by September 2007, bringing the total number Strong finances of sworn officers to 9,728 and meeting the Government’s commitment • The expected 2005-06 operating to maintain police numbers at or above the national average police-to- result of $2.853 billion reflects population ratio. the strength of the economy and • An additional $35.3 million is provided over three years to recruit 144 investment markets. additional ambulance officers and $12.4 million over four years to • A General Government operating improve ambulance call response times at communication centres. surplus of $245 million is forecast in 2006-07. Realising the Smart State through education, skills and innovation • Moderating surpluses reflect • A record $1 billion will be invested over five years in Queensland’s significant capital investment, education system, directed at planning, modernising and refurbishing implementation of the Health Action school facilities across the State. Plan and commitments in other key service delivery areas, and the impact • The $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan sets out initiatives to transform of a range of State tax abolition and and modernise the State’s vocational education and training system. relief measures. • Further funding of $11.8 million is allocated over three years to develop • The State’s net worth is budgeted a joint animal research facility with The University of Queensland. to grow from around $96 billion at 30 June 2006 to over $107 billion Protecting the environment for a sustainable future by 30 June 2010. • As part of the Blueprint for the Bush, additional funding of $11 million over three years is provided to improve the management of high-risk Competitive taxes weeds and pest animals across Queensland. • Queensland maintains its tax • Additional funding of $20 million is provided in 2006-07 to acquire competitiveness, with Queenslanders properties within South East Queensland to increase green space. to pay an average of 15% less State The land will be added to the protected estate. tax than taxpayers in other states and territories in 2006-07. Managing urban growth and building Queensland’s regions • Queensland’s competitiveness has • Estimated capital spending is more than $10 billion in 2006-07, an been enhanced through a range of tax increase of 23% on estimated actual 2005-06 outlays. Almost 60% of measures in the 2006-07 Budget. this will be spent outside the Brisbane area. This spending will support around 73,700 full-time jobs in Queensland. • More than $150 million is provided for additional initiatives across rural and regional Queensland over the next four years as part of Blueprint for the Bush.

State Budget 2006–07 Government services in your region

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)&"-5) Telephone 1300 650 220 For information on all other Telephone 13 43 25 84 Facsimile 3247 3988 Government services call 13 13 04

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