Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is backing a petition from local residents to upgrade the three single-lane sections of Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road to two lanes.
Deb said she was pleased to support the petition from Carol and Chas Kemp of Wattle Camp to advocate for funding to fix the road.
“Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road is a really busy key connection road between Kingaroy and the Burnett Highway and it is obvious the single-lane sections need to be widened to a two-lane standard,” Deb said.
“The road is in a very poor condition, with rough, steep edges and it is unsafe for the increasing number of vehicles using this route.
“Chas and Carol have been highlighting their concerns with me about the state of the road for several years and have shared stories about near misses and damage to their car’s tyres and windscreen.
“In 2021 I asked the Minister for Transport and Main Roads when funding would be allocated to Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road but the request fell on deaf ears.
“Unfortunately, it seems these roads are never a priority for this State Government, with a chronic neglect of state-controlled roads across our region.
“But this time we’re hoping a petition will shine a spotlight on the community’s concerns about Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road and how unsafe it has become.
“It is blatantly obvious our regional roads need urgent funding to make them safe. Our communities need confidence in their road network to know they can safely travel to work, drive their truck to market, or send their kids on the school bus,” Deb said.
The petition is available in hard copy format, and also be signed online at https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3945
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, is backing a petition from local residents, Carol and Chas Kemp for upgrades to Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road
The announcement of the successful recipients for Round 20 of Deb Frecklington’s Local Hero Grants celebrates the 7th anniversary of the popular local grants program.
Deb said she started her Local Hero Grants in August 2016, and over the past seven years, $20,000 has been invested back into the community.
“These are great small grants which have so far helped more than 80 local community groups and individuals across the Nanango Electorate to achieve projects and attend representative events,” Deb said.
The winners of the August 2023 round are:
“I would like to congratulate the successful groups and encourage other interested organisations to apply in the next round of funding which closes on 30 November.
“The Local Hero Grants are up to $250 and are designed to provide small donations to not-for-profit community groups and individuals from across the Nanango Electorate.
“If you would like to apply, please go to www.debfrecklington.com.au or contact the Nanango Electorate office on 4190 7100 for the guidelines.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Leo Geraghty and Richie O’Neil at the 55 Million Years Ago Museum.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated fourteen local community groups who successfully applied to the Round 116 Gambling Community Benefit Fund Super Round.
Mrs Frecklington said the groups will share in nearly $$760,000 which will help them undertake upgrades to facilities and purchase much needed equipment.
“I am so pleased these hard-working community groups have been rewarded with grants which will help them achieve key projects,” Deb said.
The successful groups in our region include:
“It is disappointing however that groups have had to wait so long for Round 116 to be announced.
“In fact, it has taken the State Government more than six months to announce the successful applicants and many groups have had valid concerns about this lengthy delay.
“There is no doubt that within this time the costs associated with the projects will have risen, and some groups may need to downsize the scope of their plans.
“Given this delay, the deadlines for the next two rounds have been extended to 15th September (Round 118) and 7th November (Round 119).
“Clubs are always welcome to call my office on 4190 7100 for advice and support for their next Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant application,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, congratulated Jim Bennett, Manager of The Pantry on securing a grant worth $63,244 for the group.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she will advocate on behalf of the Somerset community to ensure a Containers for Change service remains available within the region
Deb said she was disappointed to hear the current provider for the Somerset had pulled out.
“It is essential that a new provider is found as soon as possible to ensure this important service resumes.
“Community groups, individuals and businesses have come to reply on this scheme for fundraising and recycling and any gap in the ability to collect and deposit containers will have a negative impact for many.
“On behalf of the Somerset, I have also reached out to the Cherbourg Regional Council who currently manage the extremely successful Refund Points and Materials Recovery Facility service in the Cherbourg and South Burnett areas.
“In fact, one of their employees based at the Kingaroy Refund Point, Rhys Cobbo, has just been named Employee of the Year in the 2023 Containers for Change ‘Change Maker Awards’.
“People living in regional areas have just as much right to access the container deposit scheme as their city cousins and I’ll be doing all I can to ensure the Somerset is not left behind,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says she will strongly advocate for the Somerset community to ensure a Containers for Change Service is available within the region.
Damning analysis of Queensland Police Service statistics has revealed the crime crisis gripping Wide Bay is getting worse, while the Palaszczuk Labor Government continues to deny the devastating impact it’s having on communities.
In the first seven months of this year, stolen cars are up 56% on 2022.
Shadow Police Minister Dale Last said the chaos and crisis in the Palaszczuk Labor Government had allowed crime to surge in Wide Bay.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government no longer cares and they're out of ideas to tackle the Queensland Youth Crime Crisis,” Mr Last said.
“2023 started where 2022 ended and Wide Bay business owners and locals are sick of the false hope and broken promises.
“The Premier’s heart is no longer in the job and Queenslanders deserve better.
“She refused to meet with victims of crime when they marched to Parliament House last month, she refuses to introduce tough laws and she no longer listens to Queenslanders.
“There are 202 fewer police officers in Queensland because the Labor Government can’t follow through on their commitment to hire more police officers.
“Weaker laws and fewer police, is it any wonder crime has increased?
“Queenslanders just want to feel safe in their own homes.
“A generation of untouchables has been created since the Labor Government weakened the youth justice laws in 2015.
“The LNP has put solutions on the table to start tackling Queensland’s Youth Crime Crisis including creating consequences for actions, unshackling the judiciary by removing detention as a last resort and delivering gold standard early intervention."
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has questioned the Minister for Water about the silt build up in the Cressbrook Creek weir on Skopps Lane near Toogoolawah.
Deb said she had recently met with members of the Cressbrook Creek Irrigator’s Association who shared concerns about the management and safety of the weir.
“Irrigators who are part of the Cressbrook Creek Water Supply Scheme approached me with valid concerns about the weir at Skopps Lane, in particular the impact of the silt build-up in the weir and its impact on the criteria for releases from Cressbrook Dam,” Deb said.
“I took the opportunity to inspect the weir with local irrigators and it is obvious the weir has a large amount of silt build up which is affecting the weir’s operation and safety of the weir wall.
“On their behalf, I have asked a Question on Notice* to the Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, seeking clarification about whether the Department of Water has any plans to desilt the weir.
“The irrigators have also raised the issue of water meter re-validation as the Department has ordered them to revalidate their meters by November 2023.
“This will come at a cost of thousands of dollars for primary producers and places an unnecessary burden on their already stretched businesses. I agree with them that there needs to be an extension to the arbitrary deadline and a complete rethink of the regulation,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with members of the Cressbrook Creek Irrigators Association inspecting the Cressbrook Creek weir at Skopps Lane
* Question on Notice 882
ASKED Tuesday, 22 August 2023, Answer Due: Thursday, 21 September 2023
MRS D FRECKLINGTON ASKED MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING AND MINISTER FOR WATER (HON G BUTCHER)
With reference to the weir located on Cressbrook Creek at Skopps Lane— Will the Minister provide (a) the level of silt/sand build up in the weir, (b) the impact of this silt/sand build up on the Cressbrook Creek Water Supply Scheme Operations Manual and criteria for releases from Cressbrook Dam, (c) the safety of the weir’s operation due to the silt/sand build up, in particular the weir wall, (d) how often the weir is inspected, (e) how the weir is monitored and (f) whether the department has any plans to desilt the weir?
