Ramping up facilities for Mackay boaties

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen joined Mayor of Mackay Greg Williamson for the announcement that eight boat ramps are set for improvements.

“This is great news today for our fishing-mad community with the Morrison Government providing 50 per cent of the funding for Mackay Regional Council’s recreational fishing facilities upgrade,” Mr Christensen said.

“The funding will deliver infrastructure upgrades at some boat ramps, and the installation of lighting and CCTV at others, with eight boat ramps between Victor and Murray Creeks in the north through to Campwin and Grasstree Beaches in the south.”

“It is projects like this that make our regional communities even better places to live, work and raise a family and I’m excited to see the positive difference this funding will make to the community.”

Mayor Williamson said the funding announcement was wonderful news for boaties in the Mackay region.

“This funding will help us deliver key community infrastructure and fits perfectly with council’s Recreational Fishing Strategy,’’ he said.

“The funding will allow us to undertake upgrades of onshore facilities of key boat ramps in our region.”

Mr Christensen said it was the second big investment in boating facilities he had announced today.

“I’ve also announced just under $890,000 to contribute towards the upgrade work going on at the Molongle Creek Boating facilities between Bowen and Home Hill,” Mr Christensen said.

“Molongle Creek services the Cape Upstart area – another very popular boating and fishing area of our region.”

Boat ramp upgrades include:

• Victor Creek - extend car park and install lighting & CCTV
• Murray Creek - upgrade of car park and install lighting & CCTV
• Halliday Bay - sealing adjacent picnic area & connecting footway from picnic area to boat launching area and install lighting & CCTV
• Campwin Beach - car park construction, ramp replacement and install lighting & CCTV
• Bucasia Esplanade, Carpet Snake Point, Grasstree Beach & Aspley Way - install lighting & CCTV.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Morrison Government is committed to ensuring Australia’s regions remain strong, resilient and prosperous in the long term.

“We are supporting our regions through investing in important local infrastructure, as well as great community-building and planning initiatives under the Building Better Regions Fund and other Government priorities such as the Regional Growth Fund and our decentralisation agenda,” Mr McCormack said.

“In this round we are also investing more than $70 million in regional tourism infrastructure, to support those many regional communities that rely on tourism to bolster their economy.

“We have seen fantastic outcomes from the first two rounds, and today’s announcement continues our commitment to unlocking the economic potential of regional Australia and ensuring our regions continue to thrive.”