$3.9 million secured to deliver better infrastructure and services

Central Highlands Regional Council has secured almost $4 million under the state government’s 2024-2027 Works for Queensland (W4Q) funding program, double the amount it received under the previous round.

‘Council has been dedicated to advocating for crucial financial support from other levels of government and it’s fantastic to see these efforts pay off for our community,’ Mayor Janice Moriarty said.

‘Our allocation under this round of the W4Q funding has increased by 50%, from $2.6 million in 2021-2024 to $3.99 million, and that’s a huge win.

‘Every dollar council brings in through grants and partnerships allows us to deliver better services and essential infrastructure without overburdening local ratepayers. Funding from state and federal sources attracts more money into our region so council can deliver on projects in towns across the Central Highlands.’

From waste and water, to community facilities and parks, this funding will help to deliver 18 vital and diverse infrastructure projects across the Central Highlands, which were budgeted for under council’s 2024-2025 capital budget.

‘That frees up the money already allocated in our budget for those projects to be used for the ongoing delivery of council services and programs,’ Mayor Moriarty said.

The Central Highlands’ 2024-27 Works for Queensland funded projects are as follows:

Water & Wastewater Mains Cleaning Lochlees Access Road Wet Weather Upgrade Communities Halls Painting Weir Condition Assessment Development of a Network Safety Plan Managed CCTV Services Emerald Animal Management Centre – Renewal Airport Apron Concrete Parking Pads Improvement to Lochlees Weighbridge Blackwater Median Strips – Stage 1 Renew Cattle Crush at Dip Scada & Telemetry Water Scada & Telemetry Wastewater 23-24 ($57,500 council contribution) Japanese Gardens Paths & Irrigation All Abilities Park Refresh Regional Auto Door Facilities Replace Regional Town Hall Renewals Bluff Skate Park – Make Safe

‘Council will be rolling out these beneficial projects over the next 3 years,’ Mayor Moriarty said.

The $300 million 2024-27 Works for Queensland Program (W4Q) funding round will support the 65 councils outside of South East Queensland (SEQ) to deliver local projects that create jobs, deliver better infrastructure and services, and improve the lives of Queenslanders now and into the future.

Paths and irrigation at the Japanese Gardens in Blackwater will be upgraded thanks to Works for Queensland funding.