The Palaszczuk Government’s fourth Community Cabinet was held in Bundaberg on 18–19 October 2015. Bundaberg MP Leanne Donaldson helped open proceedings and welcomed Cabinet Ministers to the region. The event was an opportunity for the Government so see how the community’s recovery efforts were unfolding after Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013.
The Bundaberg community took full advantage of this opportunity, with more than 150 formal and informal deputations held during the Sunday afternoon public forum. This was coupled with an open Q&A reception where members of the public asked questions of the Government ranging from health services to flood mitigation.
The Palaszczuk Cabinet with the Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson, Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Cr Mal Forman.
More than 290 people attended the Sunday evening community reception at the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. This was the largest Community Cabinet reception of the year. Guests included local councillors, schools, sporting groups, business stakeholders, representatives from Police and Emergency Services and community groups.
The Palaszczuk Government showed its commitment to creating jobs in Bundaberg with the announcement that the Port of Bundaberg will potentially become a State Development Area, and the Palaszczuk Government will increase funding to the Bundaberg Gas Pipeline from $11 million to almost $20 million in a bid to build the port into an economic hub for the Wide Bay region.
The Palaszczuk Government also took the opportunity to launch the Bundaberg Flood Protection Scoping Study, which will assist in the development of a 10-year action plan for flood mitigation works in the Bundaberg region. The scoping study will be informed by local knowledge, and based on extensive community engagement and consultation with the Bundaberg Regional Council and Bundaberg community. Locals are encouraged to get involved and submit their ideas.
The Premier also officially opened upgraded facilities at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, alongside the Minister for the Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National parks and the Great Barrier Reef, the Honourable Steven Miles MP. This facility attracts around 30,000 visitors every year.
Touring the education facilities at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.
The Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Small Business, the Honourable Kate Jones MP launched the Lady Musgrave tourism venture. Visitors are now able to travel on a high speed catamaran from the Bundaberg Marina to Lady Musgrave Island to experience one of the great wonders of the world—the Great Barrier Reef. This venture is expected to attract more than 25,000 extra visitors to Bundaberg each year and contribute around $10 million annually to the local economy.
The Premier and Minister for the Environment Steven Miles MP watch a Traditional Dance at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.
A special thanks to the Bundaberg Regional Council for allowing the use of the Bundaberg Civic Centre and the Council Chambers over the two days.
The Premier and Leanne Donaldson MP presenting the Bundaberg Regional Council with a photograph from the QLD State Archives of the construction in 1898 of the Burnett River Road Bridge in Bundaberg in 1898.
