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Budget delivers on innovation, regional jobs A $140 million boost to create jobs and deliver critical infrastructure in regional communities are among the top priorities for the Department of State Development in today’s State Budget. Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said the department had a total budget of more than $429 million in 2017-18.
Building Our Regions “We will continue to generate real economic, social and environmental benefits for regional Queensland communities through our Building our Regions infrastructure program thanks to a $111 million investment this year,” Dr Lynham said. “The Building our Regions program has already proved its worth by creating more than 1,300 jobs.
Made in Queensland “A significant investment in growing, innovating and creating jobs has been established with the $20 million Made in Queensland program, and joint management of the $130 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund in partnership with Queensland Treasury. “The initiative is part of the $200 million Jobs and Regional Growth Package, targeted at growing regional economies and employment, announced in the 2016–17 Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review. “The Jobs and Regional Growth Fund will facilitate private sector projects and create employment and economic growth opportunities in regional Queensland, focusing on regions with higher than average unemployment. “The fund will provide one-off financial assistance on a case-by-case basis, ranging from $100,000 to more than $10 million in either direct grants or relief from state charges,” he said.
Priority industries “An additional $15 million to implement the Advance Queensland Priority Industry Roadmaps and Action Plans will support growth and diversification of Queensland's economy by identifying knowledge-based jobs of the future,” he said. “This includes funding to access world-class biomedical infrastructure; innovation in remotely piloted aircraft system applications for military and civil markets and promoting Queensland’s defence and aerospace industry. “The government continues to work with small and medium manufacturing enterprises to help increase their international productivity and competitiveness, and adopt innovative processes and technologies.
North Queensland Stadium “The game–changing North Queensland Stadium also receives $46 million in 2017-18 as part of overall funding so we can power ahead with this much anticipated project with more than 2,000 people expected to be engaged in the delivery of the stadium. “This Budget delivers on my department’s strategic plan for Queensland’s economy to be Australia’s strongest and most diverse.” [ENDS] |
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