Cook MP Cynthia Lui discusses Labor State budget allocations for Cook electorate, Douglas Shire

LUI ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Cook MP Cynthia Lui has discussed Labor's State budget and what that means for the Douglas Shire. Picture: Supplied

Premier Steven Miles’ first budget features a nation-leading $11.218 billion in concession and rebates to provide cost-of-living relief to Queenslanders.

The Cook Electorate will benefit greatly from cost-of-living relief, as well as big infrastructure investments in health, education, the arts and training throughout Cape York, Torres Strait, Mareeba and Douglas Shires.

Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, has advocated extensively across different areas to secure investment to support economic growth, infrastructure and service provision, which has paid off in this budget.

She said Cooktown Multipurpose Health Centre will benefit from an injection of $200 million to redevelop the aged old facility.

“We are investing $2.2 million of a total $4 million, to support cane growers in Mossman to transport cane for crushing,” Ms Lui said.

“We are also investing significantly in schools in the Douglas region, with more than $900,000 going to Mossman High, Mossman Primary and Daintree State Schools for new playgrounds and facilities.

“And $6.7 million into Coen will help construct a brand new Art Centre for the community.”

The Budget also includes a record $107.262 billion capital program for infrastructure statewide.

“When it comes to Health, the Miles Government stands firm to deliver world class service to our communities. That is why we are investing millions into health staff accommodation in remote communities such as; Hope Vale, Laura and Bamaga,” Ms Lui said.

Mareeba schools and sporting clubs are also big winners with Mareeba Tennis Club, Mareeba United Football Club, Mareeba High and Mount Molloy State School receiving significant investment.

Ms Lui said the Torres Strait was receiving a bit boost to education and training infrastructure in the budget with more than $6 million committed to projects across 15 school campuses on 13 islands for upgrades and repairs to amenities, tuckshops facilities and playgrounds at Tagai College.

“We are also delivering $2.5 million to construct a health hub at Thursday Island at the Thursday Island TAFE.  We are doing everything to build the local health workforce and we are building the workforce locally."

Cook residents will also receive cost-of-living relief aimed at helping all Queenslanders including:

  • $1,300 electricity bill support for all Queensland households from July 2024, with a higher $1,672 rebate for vulnerable households.
  • 20 per cent reduction in vehicle registration fees for a 12-month period.
  • $200 FairPlay vouchers for sport and active recreation activities for up to 200,000 Queensland children.
  • $15 million for the School and Community Food Relief to provide healthy food for children during school days.
  • Food, emergency and financial relief to support Queensland families in need.

Douglas Shire Budget investments include:

  • Mossman region community transition $2.2 million in 2024-25 out of a $4.1 million total spend to assist the Mossman community transition away from reliance on milling and growing sugarcane.
  • Mossman Substation and transmission plan refurbishment $15.3 in 2024-25 out of $45.5 million.
  • Splash park for Port Douglas and splash play upgrade in Mossman $1.1 in 2024-25 out of a $1.5 million total spend.
  • Thala Beach Nature Reserve extension project $500,000 out of $1m million total spend as part of the Tourism Experience Development Fund.
  • Mossman State High School $505,000 for a multi-purpose court upgrade.
  • Daintree State School playground and facility refurbishment $224,000.
  • Mossman State School playground replacement $178,000.

 

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