Katter congratulates Kennedy fighters for funding wins
January 8, 2025
KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has congratulated the seven successful grant recipients for the Growing Regions Program - Round 2 and the Housing Support Program - Stream 2 grants for the Kennedy electorate, totalling over $50 million.
The Growing Regions and Housing Support grant programs are available to shire councils. The successful grant recipients for Round Two of the Growing Regions Program are:
• Boulia Shire Council was awarded $10.42 million for their Shire Community Hub, which replaces outdated and dispersed accommodation with a fit-for-purpose, multipurpose Hub featuring a multimedia library and resource centre, a post office and flexible spaces for visiting officials, commercial leases and cultural displays.
Boulia Shire Mayor Eric Britton said, "The approved funding for the Boulia Shire Community Hub will be a gamechanger in council enthusiasm and productivity. It will be the centrepiece of Boulia. We commend the support given to rural and regional Queensland."
• Burke Shire Council received $4.1 million for their Burketown Health and Wellbeing Precinct Stage 1 - Splash Park and Playground, including an amenities block.
Mayor of Burke Shire Council, Ernie Camp, said, "The kids and community will really benefit from this project. The chlorinated water will really help with mobility health issues as well. Hopefully the pool in stage 2 will be approved as well."
• Cloncurry Shire Council received just under $6 million for the Scarr Street Revitalisation Project and CBD upgrade, which will see upgrades and enhancements to footpaths, parking, stormwater, kerb and channel, water and sewer, shade and shelter, landscape and irrigation, as well as artistic works.
Mayor Greg Campbell said, "Always great to receive support from the federal government when the community is trying to build critical community infrastructure."
• Flinders Shire Council received $1.796 million for the Showgrounds Development, featuring a new multipurpose recreational hall with office spaces, kiosk storage space, and public toilets.
Mayor Kate Peddle said, "We are thrilled to receive funding of $1.796 million for Hughenden Showgrounds. This project, which includes a new workshop area, secretary's office, kiosk, and storage area, marks a significant upgrade to our current facilities—a heartfelt thank you to our community's champions.
"As the name 'Growing Regions' suggests, we are indeed a region on the rise, thanks in part to innovative projects like the CopperString initiative. This grant allows us to continue this momentum, enriching the lives of our residents by ensuring we are maintaining and improving the facilities that support us. I sincerely thank Minister King and Mr Katter for their support of this project; you have our gratitude.
"Our community thrives because of the tireless efforts of our volunteers who provide invaluable social and sporting opportunities. This grant is a testament to their hard work and dedication, ensuring they have the facilities needed to continue their amazing contributions.
"This grant is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in the spirit of our community. It symbolises our commitment to supporting the volunteers who make Flinders Shire a vibrant and welcoming place to live."
The successful grant recipients for Stream Two of the Housing Support Program are:
• Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council received just under $19 million to construct a new sewerage pump station and rising main in Balamba.
• Mornington Island Aboriginal Council received $1.8 million to construct road infrastructure to support the dwellings across two lots on Lardil Street, Gununa.
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council also received $10.3 million to deliver trunk infrastructure works at Eaton Estate.
In response to the grant wins, Mr Katter said small towns thrive off government grants and programs. "These are excellent grants – we really need them to get important community projects off the ground," he said.
Mr Katter said the town of Richmond was one example of how the grants could provide significant social benefits to small communities.
"A little tiny grant of $5,000 given to Richmond grew into a half-a-million-dollar leading interpretive Mesozoic museum in Kronosaurus Korner," he said.
"It's terrific to see places like Hughenden, with a fresh council, fresh leadership, and exciting project opportunities, get such big wins so early into their new term.
"So we congratulate all those in Council and in the communities who fought like tigers to get their community projects across the line."
ENDS
Electorate Bob (red tie and jeans) in Ingham’s annual Kindy Quiz Night? or Parli Bob (waistcoat and maroon scarf) in Airlie Beach’s Halloween Party? We love a good Bob pic!
Today the Federal Government has given an extra $10 million to finalise works at Cloncurry Airport following significant flood damage in late 2025 and early 2026. Huge congratulations must go to Mayor Greg Campbell, Cloncurry Council and all those who have fought hard to achieve this outcome. The proposed works will ensure the long-term operation of this vital transport hub to continue to support aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
If all government cars were hybrids. If our sugar and grain was converted to ethanol. If our oil was refined in Australia. WE WOULD BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN FUEL. This would save EVERY Australian taxpayer $40,000 a year, create hundreds of jobs and resurrect our sugar and grain industries. The answers are there… government just needs to act! To watch the full episode on Spotify, click here .
I couldn’t sleep last night.. praying for my good and long term friend Helen. Helen brings sparkle, enlightenment and joy to the centre of the crossbench. My thoughts are also with your family, friends and staff at this extremely difficult time. May Jesus keep you all in his blessings. Bob Katter
Last weeks parliamentary debate raised some key concerns about the state and direction of the country. Bob’s take is detailed in his latest podcast and includes: Carbon Credits (Integrity and Transparency) Legislation – hidden under the guise of ‘transparency’ and ‘integrity’ this legislation WIDELY EXPANDS Native Title consent requirements, openly acknowledging that it will essentially kill off nearly all small/medium size mining and infrastructure projects with extended project delays and costs. Customs (Illicit Tabacco) Legislation – stronger enforcement and penalties is useless against organized crime unless we also stop demand by narrowing the VAST gap between legal and illegal tobacco products and take away the economic incentives fueling the black market. Backpackers vs Student Visas - meetings at the highest level arguing that backpackers are here for a good time not a long time, they must be from certain countries and under the age of 30, they spend monies earnt and go home. Student visa holders have NO country restrictions and NO age limits, family dependents are also allowed and about 90% stay with the hope of migrating. Protect Aussie produce – continuing the fight to stop fresh food imports from countries with slave labour wages and child labour in the supply chain - a game changer for the banana, pineapple and other tropical fruit industries.
Not so long ago a flight to Tel Aviv experienced an attempted terrorist attack. The heroic actions of those on the plane averted what very nearly was a great tragedy with the almost certain deaths of all 180 occupants in the plane. As the background of the would be terrorist is being investigated serious allegations have been made that he was radicalised IN AUSTRALIA whilst he was an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT!!! Where are the rallies in the street? Where is the outrage in the media? Where are the strong political statements of condemnation ? Where is the swift action against those radicalising people in Australia? ARE WE GOING TO PRETEND THAT THIS WON’T EVER HAPPEN IN AUSTRALIA?
Australian rural industries will keep shutting down if we keep on allowing government to: Import fruit and vegetables; Require our farmers to compete against imports from countries with slave labour wages; and Impose more and more red, green and ‘supermarket imposed’ tape on our produce. We already import nearly all of our pork and seafood… once thriving Australian industries - SHUTDOWN. STOP THIS MADNESS. Protect Australian jobs, consumers and farmers.
Always a great time with Shane Knuth MP and some local legends!
We export our oil for $8,000 million and import it back as petrol for $62,000 million. While overseas refineries get rich from our oil we are getting poorer and poorer as a nation. The impact to our economy is colossal!!! And must be stopped. BRING BACK OUR OIL REFINERIES.
Bob: “Back in my day, we used an automatic gate opener.” Wendi: “I have one. The gate just automatically opened for me.”
