Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated four local community groups on receiving one of her ‘Local Hero Grants’ in Round 22 of the program.
Deb said the grants will go to groups ranging from supporting homeless services, to sporting groups and campdrafting.
“These are modest but meaningful grants of $250 to help clubs achieve those smaller projects,” Mrs Frecklington said.
The Local Hero Grants are now in their ninth year and are designed to provide small donations to not-for-profit community groups and individuals from across the Nanango Electorate.
The winners of the March 2024 Round 22 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 31 August.
“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,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has provided a Local Hero Grant to the Kingaroy Netball Club.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says a delay in the payment of crucial funding for the planning and scoping of the Lockyer and Somerset Water Initiative is putting the project at risk.
Deb recently met with members of the Lockyer Water Users Forum who expressed frustration that the crucial City Deal funding had still not been forthcoming from the State Government.
“I am very concerned that the City Deal funding, promised some time ago and re-announced in January this year has still not been paid to the Lockyer and Somerset Water Collaborative.
“The delay in the payment of these funds is severely jeopardising the continuation of this vitally important water project.
“I’m calling on the State Government to stop the delay and pay the $10million now so the group has a guarantee they can keep progressing.
“I would like to thank Greg Banf and Gordon van der Est for the update on the project and for their continued commitment to making this water project a reality.
“We also discussed the QCA’s Rural Irrigation Price Review and the Lockyer Water Users Forum submission, along with issues surrounding the Moreton Water Plan.
“The group has been doing a great deal of work on behalf of irrigators and water users across the Somerset and Lockyer region and they are to be commended for their continued work in this space,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and Member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald recently met with Lockyer Waters Users Forum members Gordon van der Est and Greg Banf.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says it is concerning that the Short Stay Unit at the Kingaroy Hospital is still not open.
Deb said she asked a Question on Notice* to the Health Minister about why the Short Stay Unit has never been operational.
“It has been three years now since the new Emergency Department was opened at the Kingaroy Hospital and since this time the four bed Short Stay Unit has been unavailable,” Deb said.
“These beds are counted as Hospital beds, but they can’t be used.
“I asked the Minister in 2022 when the Unit would be opened, and my follow-up question this year questioned why it remains closed.
“While I understand the need for planning, it is extremely disappointing that this process is taking so long.
“We know our hard-working doctors and nurses are under huge pressures at the Kingaroy Hospital and the availability of the Short Stay Unit would help reduce some of this load.
““I will continue to advocate for better health services for our region because right now the health crisis is only getting worse under the chaos of the Palaszczuk-Miles Government,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has officially welcomed Emma Lindholm of Kingaroy to her new role as the 2024 Youth Member for Nanango and congratulated her on taking on this important challenge.
Deb caught up with Emma in Kingaroy before she heads to Brisbane for the Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) launch weekend being held from 12-14 April.
“Each year I am always impressed by our Nanango Electorate Youth Members and Emma is no exception,” Deb said.
“As a young person from regional Queensland, she understands the issues which matter to regional people and it is obvious she is very passionate about her community.
“She is very interested in the Parliamentary process and how to she can help influence real change. It was a pleasure to talk with her about the Youth Parliament process and the unique opportunity she will have this year as our region’s Youth Member.
“I know she is passionate about representing young people from our area and being the voice of youth in our electorate through the QYP process.
“She has been selected for the Health, Mental Health and Emergency Services, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Seniors and Disability Services Committee and will now help write a Bill proposing a law reform on this topic.
“The Youth Parliament program will kick off on 12th April when the Youth Members will meet for the first time, participate in a special launch ceremony at Parliament House and start discussing ideas for their Bill.
“From there they will meet and liaise with their committee members and then they will come back together in late September for the official ‘Sitting Week’ at Parliament House in Brisbane to debate their Bills and deliver personal statements.
“The YMCA Youth Parliament brings together 93 young people aged 15-25 each year to teach them about the government decision-making process, while providing an excellent leadership opportunity for young people like Emma who may one day become Queensland’s future decision makers,” she said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington welcomed Emma Lindholm as the 2024 Youth Member for Nanango.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is calling on Nanango Electorate residents who own property in the Somerset to check newly released land valuations.
Deb said the Somerset region is one of 20 local government areas across Queensland which are part of the annual land valuation program in 2024.
“I urge landowners to carefully review their valuation notice when it arrives in the mail and consider if they should lodge an objection against their new valuation by the closing date of 27 May 2024,” Deb said.
“The new valuations should reflect the property market on 1st October 2023, the date of the valuation undertaken by the Department of Resources.”
“The Somerset region has seen a 73.4% valuation increase in Primary Production land in the latest review and a 40% increase for Rural Residential land. There have also been some significant increases in median values for Residential land resulting in an overall median value of land being $185,000, an increase of 51.6%.
“All of our townships have seen increases including:
“Land valuations are the basis for rating, land tax and state land rental purposes and the new valuations will take effect from 30th June 2024.
“If you believe your land valuation may be incorrect, I would encourage landholders to lodge an objection. I am aware of some landholders who have saved on their local government rate bills by successfully objecting to an incorrect valuation.
“Objections must be lodged within 60 days from the date of issue and no later than 27 May 2024, with forms found online at www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation, or by calling 1300 664 217,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is encouraging community groups across the Nanango Electorate to consider applying for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) Super Round.
Deb said the GCBF Super round is a great opportunity for regional community groups to progress their key projects and wish lists.
“Community groups make up the social fabric of our regional community and these grants are an ideal chance to get a funding boost and get their important projects underway,” Deb said.
“Without our clubs and groups, and all those who volunteer their time, most of the events and activities we love would just not happen.
“I encourage all local groups, however big or small, to consider applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund Super Round Grant to help achieve their goals,” Deb said.
The GCBF Super Round is offering grants up to $100,000. Applications are now open and will close on 30th April.
Deb also congratulated the twelve South Burnett western Gympie region clubs and groups who have just been announced as successful applicants in GCBF Round 119. The clubs include:
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Dave Timperley at the Kilkivan Veterans and Community Shed. The group has been successful with a GCBF grant to purchase machinery.
