Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) welcomes the results of Round One of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), including the allocation of $3 million in funding to the Events Centre, Caloundra, on the Sunshine Coast;

(2) congratulates all of the successful applicants in Round One of this program;

(3) notes that:

(a) the BBRF is another example of the Government investing in our regions to boost local economies, grow regional confidence, create jobs and build vibrant communities;

(b) nationally the successful projects will support a diverse range of important infrastructure in regional and remote areas for projects ranging from tourism and transport, to culture, sporting and healthcare facilities;

(c) the Events Centre is such an important piece of infrastructure, providing world class cultural experiences for local people on the Sunshine Coast and drawing tourists from all over South East Queensland; and

(d) nearly 550 organisations applied from all across Australia for the Infrastructure Projects stream;

(4) commends the Government for its allocation of an additional $200 million in funding for this important program in the 2017 budget; and

(5) encourages eligible organisations to make an application to Round Two of the BBRF, which is anticipated to open later in 2017.

It gives me great pleasure to move this motion, as I'm a strong supporter of the government's Building Better Regions Fund. I understand the enormous benefits it can bring to a local community such as my electorate in the north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast. It still truly remains a regional area. The main focus of the Building Better Regions Fund is on creating jobs, driving economic growth and building stronger regional communities.

One of the directors of the Caloundra Events Centre in my electorate of Fisher, Mr Don Smith, was quoted recently as saying: 'This is a major outcome for us and a big hit for our local community. I can assure you that, when this work is finished, we'll really be able to roll out the red carpet and dress this place up to welcome everyone, even the Queen.' Mr Smith's comments came on the back of the results of round 1 of the Building Better Regions Fund in which the Events Centre in Caloundra was successful in being granted $3 million for upgrades to the centre. Mr Smith is a long-term supporter of the Events Centre, having dedicated much of his time in recent years to securing funds for vital upgrades to the facility. Mr Smith's comments relate to his dogged determination to ensure that any upgrades to the centre included a porte-cochere that would be fit for the Queen. Once these upgrades are complete, that is exactly what we will have. Mr Smith's next job is to try and get the Queen to Caloundra!

The Events Centre Caloundra is an important piece of infrastructure that provides a world-class cultural experience for local people based on the Sunshine Coast, but it also draws tourists from all over South-East Queensland. The project, which, due to this grant, is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, will have an array of transformative upgrades. The project will improve the acoustics of the main theatre and upgrade the foyer, the bar, the verandah cafe and box office facilities. It will also upgrade the heating and air conditioning throughout the building, it will increase accessibility at the main entrance and it will install toilet and lift facilities for patrons with a disability. Because we are actually celebrating Disability Action Week in Queensland this week, I'm very proud to be announcing an upgrade which will see much greater facilities for those with a disability.

Nationally, the Building Better Regions Fund received more than 500 applications, and the Events Centre Caloundra was one of around a hundred that were approved. More applications were received under the Infrastructure Projects Stream than in any of the three funding rounds conducted under the previous National Stronger Regions Fund. I'd like to extend my personal congratulations to all of those worthy community groups across Australia who successfully received funding through these grants.

Round 1 of the Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream has been highly competitive, with the applications received demonstrating significant strength and quality across the three project sizes. Strong applications were able to describe and quantify project economic benefits in the short and long term, and how they would deliver social benefits in the region. There was also a need to demonstrate that the project was both viable and sustainable, and that it would be delivered on time, on budget and to the standard required for important infrastructure projects. The Events Centre Caloundra ticked all of these boxes, and their success is testament to the importance of this facility to Sunshine Coast locals, the huge effort that the team put into consulting with the locals and preparing their application, and the groundswell of support we received from the community.

Only the coalition government is backing regional communities by funding critical projects that support economic development across the regions.

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