Mayor Jack Dempsey has met Federal Government Ministers in Canberra this week to discuss the Hinkler Regional Deal and other issues facing the Bundaberg Region.
While attending the Australian Local Government Association national conference, Mayor Dempsey took the opportunity to brief ministers on major projects and lobby for funding assistance.
“I was pleased to meet the new Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, Mark Coulton, who inherited responsibility for the regional deal from Senator Bridget McKenzie,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“It’s great that Mr Coulton is a former mayor who understands local government.
“We discussed services and infrastructure in the Bundaberg Region such as plans for the Port of Bundaberg and Bundaberg Airport.
“We talked about the Hinkler Regional Deal including plans for the CBD and Quay Street heavy vehicle diversion.
“I remain hopeful the State Government will support this important project, which is necessary to unlock the potential for riverfront development and CBD revitalisation.”
Mayor Dempsey said he also had preliminary talks with Minister Coulton about seeking funds for a new regional aquatic facility.
“A project of this scale and significance can’t go ahead without Federal Government assistance and we’re exploring all possible avenues for support.
“The community wants year-round access to a state-of-the-arts water sports and entertainment facility,” he said.
“Minister Coulton indicated he’ll be visiting Bundaberg soon and I invited him to meet with Council to continue the constructive discussions we began in Canberra.”
Mayor Dempsey also met the Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, to discuss the Quay Street project.
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