During the first day of Queensland Parliament sitting this week, the Premier announced the second phase of the State Government's COVID-19 economic recovery funding support.
- Additional $100M for a second round of the $10K small business grants with 50% of the allocation for regions
- $100M to boost housing construction
- Additional $10M for airline route development
- $500K towards Magnetic Island walking tracks
- $22.5M for arts & recreation sector
- $12.M towards opening agricultural trade opportunities
- Reaffirmed first home owner grant of $15K + additional $5K for first home owners in regional areas
We welcome the Government's focus on the regions across the additional announcements today, particularly that 50% of the second round of the $10,000 small business recovery grants will be allocated to regionally based businesses and that first home owners in regional areas will be eligible for an additional $5,000 on top of the $15,000 already available. Importantly, our local tourism industry has been given a boost through a $500,000 commitment towards upgrading the walking tracks on Magnetic Island.
Today's announcements include:
- $100 million for small business recovery grants - A second round of the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grants will provide $10,000 upfront grants to small businesses forced into hibernation by the crisis. The first round of these grants was oversubscribed, and the second round will prioritise businesses operating in regional Queensland. Businesses are advised to prepare the required documentation in readiness for grant applications opening on July 1.
- $100 million 'Works for Tradies' program - Will see contracts signed to commence construction of an additional 215 new social homes by the end of 2021. The program will deliver social housing across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Wide Bay, Moreton Bay, Toowoomba and Ipswich.
- $8.9 million into National Park infrastructure upgrades to improve already existing facilities. This includes $500,000 for an upgrade to walking tracks on Magnetic Island to complement other works including Forts Circuit, Arthur Bay lookout and Nelly Bay which will support ten jobs.
- $12.5 million 'Strengthening Queensland’s Agribusiness and Food Sector' program towards agribusiness digital transformation, agricultural trade relationships, and agribusiness diversification assistance.
- $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package will enable the arts, cultural and creative sector to continue to stabilise, innovate and adapt, and to explore alternative venues, online delivery, and a digital marketplace.
- Additional $10 million for interstate and intrastate flights - On top of the earlier $5 million commitment towards 16 airports to help negotiate with airlines to bring flights to regions.
- Regional TAFE upgrades - $375,000 Maker Space Innovation Hub at Bohle TAFE to provide education and training areas in advancing technology, and $350,000 towards a new student-industry collaborative learning centre at Burdekin TAFE.
- $23 million of support payments for taxi and limousine operators and licence holders.
Today's announcements have come shortly after the Premier and Treasurer visited our region where we and a number of other regional stakeholders had the opportunity to meet and provide the government direct feedback from our local businesses about the challenges they still face.
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