By Arthur Gorrie
A huge spend to repair Queensland’s ailing hospital and health system has not included much for Gympie region, according to MP Tony Perrett.
But Tuesday’s state budget, including a record surplus, did include $2.1 million for extra specialist classrooms at James Nash High School, $2 million to upgrade an amenities block at One Mile State School, $1.9 million to upgrade and refurbish the Imbil auxiliary fire and rescue station and $2.4 million to replace the Gympie South permanent Fire and Rescue station.
Other spending announced in the budget included continuing spending on the Bruce Highway’s Gympie by-pass and possibly on the Borumba pumped hydro-electricity scheme, although the project is still in its pre-approval stages.
The Rainbow Beach Police Beat will continue to operate from under a house, in the absence of an upgraded or new police station.
But, according to Mr Perrett, a lot of the good news was long overdue.
Missed opportunities included: upgrading the Mary Valley Highway “to at least B double standard to assist industry growth in the region;“ more social housing to counter housing stress and “soaring homelessness,“ major Mary Valley upgrades to roads affected by the Borumba pumped hydro scheme, overtaking lanes on the Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach Roads, Gympie Woolooga Rd improvements, improved flood immunity and a start on planning for a high level Mary River bridge, upgraded bridges on Gympie Woolooga Rd and improved train services between Gympie North and the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Mr Perrett said much of the planned Gympie region spend was already underway or announced.