Queensland State Budget 2008–09 State-wide Highlights State-wide Key priorities of the 2008-09 Budget are congestion management, housing affordability, Wide Bay-Burnett delivering on the Health Action Plan and Regional Budget Statement strengthened community services. Tax savings of up to $9,500 for fi rst homebuyers Full abolition of mortgage duty from 1 July 2008 Record 17% increase in health spending Increased rebates and tax breaks for older Queenslanders 200 new police offi cers 250 new ambulance offi cers and 145 new vehicles 270 new teachers $100 million boost for school maintenance over two years through the Tomorrow’s Schools initiative $20 million for ClimateSmart Home Services $20 million increase South Burnett region to develop community Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland Tourism of courtesy Image sport and recreation facilities Queensland is experiencing the most sustained It increases services to the regions and $5.9 million boost to period of economic and population growth in its delivers vital long-term social and economic support front-line child history. infrastructure for the benefi t protection workers of all Queenslanders. In shaping the 2008-09 Budget, the Government has A centrepiece of this chosen to build tomorrow’s Budget is tax cuts to help Queensland today. Queenslanders purchase their fi rst home. Wide Bay-Burnett The State’s prosperity is generating unprecedented Queensland’s success is demand for housing, built on the success of our healthcare, schools, regions, from the fast-paced transport, other essential expansion of the south-east services and vital corner to the agricultural infrastructure throughout Queensland’s regions. heartlands, the booming hubs of mining activity Bundaberg and the vibrant growth of coastal areas. The Budget delivers massive injections of Hervey Bay funding to our public hospitals and healthcare This document sets out the Government’s Maryborough system. It funds the biggest capital works investment commitment to address the changing program in the State’s history. needs of the Wide Bay-Burnett region. Gympie Kingaroy Anna Bligh MP Andrew Fraser MP Premier Treasurer Queensland the Smart State Queensland State Budget 2008–09 - - - Wide Bay-Burnett - - - - Regional Budget Statement The national Census Census The national Every fi ve years the Census provides a snapshot of Covering an area of Australian society. It measures many 52,377 square kilometres characteristics including our age and or around 3% of the State, birthplace, language spoken Wide Bay-Burnett is home and religion, if we need assistance to to 6.6% of Queensland’s perform everyday activities or to participate total population. Almost 1 in community life and the work we do (paid or unpaid) 276,000 Queenslanders and how we get there. now call our region home – that’s 2.4% more than What did the 2006 Census reveal about your community? the year before2. Take a look below for a snapshot of life in the Wide Bay- Boasting national Burnett region. parks, pristine beaches, a range of tourism, The work we do Engineers, nurses, carers, sales representatives, urban and regional planners, educational, sporting, electricians, boat repairers – Wide Bay-Burnett residents work in a diverse range of jobs. Census data shows 12.7% of people living in the Wide Bay-Burnett region are cultural, leisure, arts employed in the retail trade industry, while the healthcare and social assistance industry and recreation facilities accounts for 11.1%. Agriculture, forestry and fi shing (10.3%) manufacturing (9.8%), and construction (9%) are the other major employment industries in this growing region. is it like it telling and opportunities, this growing region is sought Our qualifications Strong population growthBeyondBeyo nind the school Wide qualific Bay-Burnettations Beyond school qualifications after for its unique region has brought with% of it personsp anersons increase 15 years in the anandd number over % of persons 15 years and over environment and enviable of skilled workers. Justwith over a non-school 50%1 of people qualific livingation in with a non-school qualification 2 our region now hold ‘beyond7700 ’ school qualifi cations – 60 and sustainable lifestyle. a 12.5 percentage point increase60 compared to 1996 Census results (see graph). Of these qualifi cations, 50 Add to this a diverse and 50 15.4% are degree or higher,t 11% are advanced diploma 40 40 vibrant economy that’s or diploma and 43.6% are certifi cate level. Just over 30 30% of Wide Bay-Burnett30 residents who identifi ed with Per cent cen Per cent Per close to the business having a ‘beyond’ school20 qualifi cation did not indicate 20 the level of education received.1100 10 and career opportunities 0 0 How much we earn1996 20012001 20062006 1996 2001 2006 of the State’s south- Yearear Year We’ve certainly noticed an increase in the cost of living east corner and you can over the years, and as it rises so too does our income. At the time of the 1996 Census, the median weekly household income for the Wide see why more and more Bay-Burnett region was $438. In 2006 the median weekly income for households in our region was $621 – that’s almost 42% more than we earned 10 years earlier3. people are choosing this region in which to work, 1 Aged 15 years and over with a usual residence in the Wide Bay-Burnett region at the time of the 2006 Census. 2 ‘Beyond’ school qualifi cation referred to as non-school qualifi cations in Census data. live and play. 3 Based on 2006 Census data. The Queensland Household projections Government recognises Families come in all shapes and sizes and Wide Bay-Burnett the role Wide Bay-Burnett between now and 2026 we can expectWide Household composition Bay-Burnett to see a lot more of them. But what type has played in increasing of family will occupy most Queensland % 2006 2016 2026 our State’s prosperity and homes? For the last decade most 40 Queensland households have consisted sustaining its economic of couples with children. However 35 household projections forecast that, over 30 and social growth. the next decade and beyond, the make- up of homes throughout our State will 25 This Regional Budget dramatically change. 20 Statement highlights Throughout our State an ageing 15 population, declining fertility rates among the Government’s younger couples, and baby boomers 10 becoming ‘empty nesters’ will result in the 5 commitment to the region number of couples without children and lone person households taking over as the 0 and its people. most common types. Couple Couple Single Lone Other family family parent person Take a look to the right to see how no children family 1 Population data as at 30 June 2007, Australian Bureau of households in the Wide Bay-Burnett children Statistics, Regional Population Growth (cat no 3218.0). region are likely to change between now Source: Data are based on medium series projections and 2 Population data as at 30 June 2006, Australian Bureau of and 2026. are sourced from Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Statistics, Regional Population Growth (cat no 3218.0). Population, Information and Forecasting Unit, Household projections Queensland Local Government Areas 2007. • $86.1 million to develop coal resources at Kunioon to supply Tarong • $48.1 million for new substations at Woolooga, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. Regional development Regional development is at the heart of Queensland’s economic future and the Government is laying the foundation for future economic growth and prosperity for all Queenslanders by responding to the growth needs of the region. Water management is a critical issue for Queensland and the Government is making historic levels of investment in essential water and sewerage infrastructure to meet the needs of Queensland communities. In 2008-09, the Government will invest in the following initiatives to improve the reliability and supply of water services in the Wide Bay- Burnett region: • $2.5 million for the Burgowan raw water main project Holden Maryborough Technology Challenge An educational experience out of the ordinary. Students of all ages and from all over Queensland can put the pedal to the • $2.3 million to upgrade the Borumba dam metal at one of Queensland’s premier youth events. Human-powered vehicles, dragsters, pushcarts, solar cars and boats – spillway there’s something for racing enthusiasts of all kinds at this event. • $800,000 for the Blackbutt Sewerage Photograph supplied courtesy of the Fraser Coast Regional Council Regional Coast the Fraser of courtesy supplied Photograph Scheme Effl uent Re-Use project. Healthy individuals and communities • $1.7 million to deliver community support The Government will also commit to a range services We are committed to improving and sustaining of other key infrastructure investments in the the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders • $1.6 million for short-term and time-limited region including: by investing in infrastructure and services respite support for families of people with a • $630,000 for the Childers Sludge that will strengthen our public health system, disability Management project promote healthier lifestyles and enhance • $1.3 million over four years to establish • $380,000 to complete the Sandy Hook confi dence and safety in our communities. additional out-of-home care placements for (Burnett River) new four-lane boat ramp As part of the Government’s continued children in care • $1 million to redevelop the Hervey Bay • $296,000 of $546,000 for a new two-lane commitment to meet the growing needs of the boat ramp at Gatakers Landing community, in 2008-09 spending on health Neighbourhood Centre. and emergency services infrastructure in the • $127,000 to reconstruct a four-lane boat Wide Bay-Burnett region will include: ramp at Queen Street on the north bank of the Burnett River at Bundaberg.