Support for youth and road upgrade
FORMER policeman and exDefence Force member Russ Cook says the Townsville City Council is working with the State Government to help it combat the crime issues in the area and reduce the youth crime rate.
The council provided space at Thuringowa Library for an award- winning intervention program, Project Booyah, to operate a cafe.
But the project is battling to secure further Federal Government funding to retain its vital youth workers who helped with the transition from the program into education, employment and adulthood.
“The more these kids can get into training and opportunities like Project Booyah the less they are out causing trouble in the community,” Cr Cook said.
“We’ve seen a number of success stories where kids that have come through Project Booyah have turned their life around.”
Intersection fix
The Dalrymple Rd and Greenview Drive intersection upgrade is vital to improve cyclist and motorist safety, Cr Cook says.
He said the upgrade would create up to 50 jobs and was expected to be finished within six months.
“The intersection upgrade includes the installation of new traffic lights, protected turning lanes, concrete medians and new bike lanes,” he said.
“It’s been something that the local residents have been pushing for and I’m proud to be part of the team of councillors that will deliver the intersection upgrade.”
He also spoke of the employment opportunities available to his constituents that had been created by the new water pipeline project.
“Locals in my area have the chance to be part of a once- in- a- generation project — whether you’re a truck driver, labourer or an engineer,” Cr Cook said.