SHAPING HEART OF THE GOLD COAST
WHEN communities come together to assist others in times of crisis like the recent flood events, it’s a true indication of who we are.
Here in Moncrieff on the central Gold Coast, we were lucky there was minimal damage to property. For us, the question has been how we continue to help from here.
Local charities and citizens have been working to fill up truck loads of goods and deliver them to our southern and northern neighbours to assist in recovery efforts from the horrendous floodwater that took so many by surprise.
Through Services Australia, the Morrison government has delivered relief to 1.1 million citizens. Over $923m including $269m to over 330,000 Queenslanders. The
ADF has completed over 130 air missions with over 7000 boots on the ground across affected areas.
People come first. The rest is just media and political games. Our representatives are elected to support and shape our community to deliver for you.
The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities outlines that federal government investment in the Moncrieff electorate totals $1.66bn.
Federal contribution to light rail Stage 3 is $395.6m. Those of us who live between Broadbeach and Burleigh are yet to see the benefit from this investment because the Queensland government keeps stalling the contract finalisation and blowing out the costs.
The Coomera Connector federal funding is $1.06bn. Now the state government
has reduced its capacity from six lanes to four due to their inability to manage that budget.
For the first time in history, $596,650 was delivered to the Nerang Community Bowls Club for their clubhouse upgrade through the Building Better Regions Fund, and the Stronger Communities Program has delivered $770,197 to 88 grassroots community and sporting organisations and charities across my electorate.
Regional Development Australia Gold Coast, a valued executive member of the City Heart Taskforce, received $322,438 in the last year for their outstanding contribution to our region for investment, trade, innovation and growth with projects including Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing in biomedical, aerospace, food processing,
marine, hydrogen and renewables. The manufacturing sector is now adding over $8.3bn to the local economy and jobs have grown from 14,000 to over 22,800. (Source: RDA)
In addition, the Recovery for Regional Tourism program included $10m for Destination Gold Coast, a City-funded organisation; $94.6m for Zoos and Aquariums funding fed the dolphins at Sea World, the tigers at Dreamworld and the koalas at Currumbin.
The $1.2bn tourism package that was instigated by three Gold Coast MPS working together in Canberra delivered over 200,000 half-priced airfares that brought tourists from interstate directly into the Coast and the subsequent business package of 50/50 federal and state support was $600m.
I have keenly advocated for
the travel and tourism sectors since the last election and on top of $258m in support specifically delivered to travel agents, this week we have seen a date for cruising to resume on April 17.
For the creative sector, the Prime Minister announced $400m for movie incentives that delivered blockbusters, including the Elvis biopic for the Coast.
The great light opera singer after whom the electorate is named, Gladys Moncrieff, would be pleased about the $1.65m that was delivered through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund for music events including Blues on Broadbeach, and the big novelty cheques delivered in person to Home of the Arts.
The Morrison government is the Gold Coast’s best friend, and will continue to be.