Western works tipped to employ 470 people...

Improving Mount Isa’s water infrastructure and refurbishing the Birdsville Tourist Park are among the projects in the North and Far West to win COVID Works for Queensland funding.

The program is part of the Queensland Government’s $6 billion economic recovery strategy Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.

In announcing the projects, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the positive impacts would be felt almost immediately.

“I am very pleased that projects aimed at enhancing tourism as well as improving water and waste infrastructure will be funded through this fantastic initiative,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“While there’s no doubt the people here are resilient, I know these projects, and the jobs they create, will be extremely welcome during this tough time.”

The 58 funded projects across North West and Far West Queensland are expected to create or support more than 470 local jobs.

Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade said the council was looking forward to delivering the projects for the community.

“Apart from creating jobs, these projects will improve liveability for our community and I thank the Queensland Government for its support,” Mayor Slade said.

Projects for North West and Far West councils include:

$1,100,000 for the Boulia Shire Council – including for maintenance work to Robinson Park fence and Wooden Bridge, and the construction of a caretaker residence at the Rodeo grounds$1,100,000 for the Burke Shire Council – including for upgrading the water storage capacity for Burketown, improving irrigation at the Sewage Treatment Plant, and renovating the changerooms at Phillip Yanner Memorial Oval$1,590,000 for the Carpentaria Shire Council – including for the upgrade of the Normanton Water Treatment Plant, replacing irrigation at the Normanton Sewage Treatment Plant, and replacing water valves along Yappar Street$1,180,000 for the Cloncurry Shire Council – including for the installation of a new play area, amenities block, boat ramp and pathways at Chinaman Creek Dam recreation area$1,020,000 for theDiamantina Shire Council – including for the refurbishment of the Birdsville Tourist Park including constructing a new camp kitchen and landscaped BBQ area and upgrading WiFi technology$1,430,000 for theDoomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council – including for the installation of LED street light network, constructing a water splash park, and improving the council’s internet connection speed and communications$1,060,000 for the Flinders Shire Council – including for the construction a new building as part of Flinders Discovery Centre, Stage 1$1,030,000 for the McKinlay Shire Council – including for improving the amenities at Julia Creek Caravan Park, and upgrading the Julia Creek, McKinlay and Kynuna landfills$1,360,000 for the Mornington Shire Council – including for the construction two accommodation units, and maintenance works to a number of council buildings$2,570,000 for theMount Isa City Council – upgrading water reservoirs, replacing or extending water mains and sewer mains where required, and locating and replacing ineffective water main isolation valves$1,030,000 for the Richmond Shire Council – including for the installation of a connection from the new town bore to the water treatment plant to increase the town’s water supply, erecting a shade structure at Richmond Pool and upgrading the tennis court lights

Projects are required to be completed by June 2021.