Isaac Flags Priority Issues to State Election Candidates

Isaac Regional Council has released a list of priority issues and projects it is advocating for ahead of the Queensland election.

Two “advocacy” documents have been distributed to all candidates for the October 31 poll.

“We want the incoming Queensland Government after October 31 to be our partners in the prosperity of the Isaac Region,” Mayor Anne Baker said today.

“State Government funding for projects in our region can represent an unrivalled return on investment, given our ability to increase the billions of dollars in royalties Queensland already receives every year from Isaac.

“Investing in Isaac communities will further boost the productivity of our mining, agriculture and tourism assets, and in turn further boost the dollar return to households throughout the State from royalties and economic activity.” 

Mayor Baker said Isaac Regional Council’s top-priority projects and issues included:

upgrading the Moranbah Community Centre; sealing and other critical work on the May Downs Road; replacing the Phillips Creek Bridge on the Saraji Road, connecting Moranbah and Dysart; boosting health services in the Isaac Region, currently inadequate to service the true population residing there at any one time;                                       a review of funding methodology for services and infrastructure; reducing the cost of water purchased for Isaac communities; and funding projects to further improve water quality and security for the Clermont community.

“Isaac Regional Council is seeking funding of approximately $6.1 million to upgrade the Moranbah Community Centre,” Mayor Baker said.

“The Moranbah Community Centre is the social, cultural and industry hub for Moranbah, which in turn is the main service centre for the Isaac Region, but needs to be upgraded to meet growing demand.

“We are seeking commitments from candidates on a number of infrastructure projects.

“For example, work is needed on the May Downs Road, one of the key transport links in the region but which currently has a 33km unsealed section and a low bridge frequently closed in floods.

“It is an important link for Bowen Basin mining communities to Rockhampton, and also carries more than 17,000 head of cattle and 6,000 tonnes of produce in hundreds of semi-trailer trips every year.

“Council is seeking funding for projects along the May Downs Road totalling $72 million.

“This is a critical piece of infrastructure that is a priority for Council during this election to see outcomes from the sustained advocacy for this project from residents of the region who have joined Council in advocating to Ministers and the Department.

Mayor Baker said another priority is Phillips Creek Bridge on the Saraji Road, connecting Moranbah and Dysart.

“This bridge is dangerous and needs to be replaced,” Mayor Baker said.

“A new bridge would provide safer travel and flood immunity, maintain a critical access route for essential services and increase productivity for heavy vehicles.

“We are seeking a commitment from candidates that, in government, they will fund the project cost of approximately $16.5 million to replace the Phillips Creek Bridge.”

Mayor Baker said improved health services are particularly important for the Isaac Region.

“Current health services in the Isaac Region are inadequate to service the true population residing here at any one time,” Mayor Baker said.

“Isaac has a permanent resident population of 21,000 people – and health professionals and services are allocated by the State Government on that basis – but on any day of the year our true resident population is 33,000, because of the mine and other workers who travel in and out for shifts.

“This must change before there are fatal consequences as a direct result of unavailability of critical care.

“In particular, Council wants to see an increase in services and capacity at Moranbah Hospital, such as expanded clinical services and the emergency response / emergency department, increasing the number of doctors, and carrying out a capital build upgrade.”

Mayor Baker said the current funding methodology used for services and infrastructure by both the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments needed to change.

“Right now, non-permanent resident populations are not provided for in either infrastructure or services planning,” Mayor Baker said.

“The Isaac Region has the largest non-permanent residential population of all local government areas (LGAs) within the Bowen Basin.

“The number of people who work in the region but are not permanent residents totals more than 12,000, equating to a 57 per cent influx of services-users beyond the permanent residential population of approximately 21,000.

“The result is drastic deficiencies in funding for critical health services, emergency services and infrastructure requirements.

“Isaac Regional Council is seeking commitments from candidates that they will ensure planning for essential services and infrastructure in resource communities is based on the data collected by the Queensland Government’s Statistician’s Office, inclusive of the non-permanent-resident population.”

Mayor Baker said the cost of water needs to be reduced because “we are facing untenable water affordability issues”.

“Council has been required to either purchase water from resource companies at unaffordable commercial rates or purchase water from Sunwater on the open market at commercial rates – where it is available – for community use.

“We are seeking commitment to enforce accountability from the resources sector to meet their historical obligations to supply water at no or reasonable cost for community purposes, and also a State Government commitment to provide a community service obligation consideration for water.”

Mayor Baker said another priority issue was the quality and security of Clermont’s water supply.

“Funding of approximately $6.7 million is required to fund four priority projects to further improve water quality and security for the Clermont community.

“Clermont, with a population of more than 3,000 people, is the second-largest community in the Isaac Region but has a history of water quality issues.

“In the current (2020-21) financial year, Isaac Regional Council will spend some $5.9 million on water projects, with $4.9 million – more than 80 per cent – targeted on improving the quality of water in Clermont.

“Council is seeking a commitment to fund four priority projects to further improve water quality and security for the Clermont community, totalling $6.7 million.”