Charters Towers Region Federal Election Priorities

Charters Towers Regional Council has adopted the key issues it would be advocating for going into the 2019 federal election.

Mayor Liz Schmidt said seven priorities had been listed in a brochure on behalf of the region by Council’s Advocacy Committee, consisting of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Sonia Bennetto, Councillor Mike Power and Chief Executive Officer Mr Aaron Johansson, and were being put to Federal Election candidates.

“There are no surprises in this brochure,” said Mayor Schmidt. “But what it does is reaffirm to the federal candidates, very clearly, the matters we know are important to this region that are primarily addressed at a national level.”

“Big Rocks Weir is at the top of the list, closely followed by a strong policy platform for drought assistance; a whole-of-government approach to managing flying foxes; arterial upgrades to support the growth of transport infrastructure and joining the chorus of Councils nationwide for restored Federal Assistance Grants (FAGs) to what they used to be, which is at least 1% of Commonwealth taxation revenue, and provides us with the funding we need to service our community.”

“We are also pushing to get the most from the opportunities on the horizon with the Defence and are supporting the recommendations of the recently released 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review, which examined how people use telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia and will ultimately help us in areas such as Disaster Management and economic development activities.’

“We have made headway in these areas already, and acknowledge the breakthrough late last year with the announcement of $50million of federal funding for Big Rocks Weir, however my Council and I are determined to ensure local interests are prioritised as important projects progress.”

Charters Towers Regional Council’s Federal Election Priorities

1. Big Rocks Weir 2. Drought Assistance 3. Flying Fox Management 4. Transport Infrastructure 5. Federal Assistance Grants 6. Defence 7. Telecommunications

The full Priorities document can be viewed here.

OGG 25 January 2019