Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says she has received confirmation that further works to improve safety on the Haly Street Pedestrian Crossing are on their way.
Mrs Frecklington says that Transport and Main Roads will start works on 1st June to construct a raised concrete island on the southern side of the crossing.
“This raised island will help pedestrians to wait more safely, closer to the traffic lane, as well as improve the visibility of pedestrians about to cross the road to passing motorists,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Some tactile ground surface indicators will also be put in place to assist the vision impaired.”
“Earlier this year the crossing was repainted, so all together, I hope these improvements will make a real difference to people crossing Haly Street.
“I’m glad that I was able assist the community to have their concerns addressed,” Deb said.
TMR have advised that traffic control measures will be put in place while the works are underway and road users should expect minor delays. Roadworks will take approximately one week to complete (weather permitting).
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says Labor is pulling the wool over the eyes of the Nanango Electorate with their newly announced ‘Building our Regions’ program being only half of what the LNP promised.
Mrs Frecklington says she is extremely disappointed that the highly successful ‘Royalties for the Regions’ funding program, started under the LNP, is being scrapped.
“We established the Royalties for the Regions program as soon as we were elected in 2012 to end Labor’s shameful neglect of regional areas like the Nanango Electorate,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Labor never cared and had no policy to look after country regions. Now, they are putting in a half-hearted effort and trying to convince us that their funding is an infrastructure bonanza, when it really is nothing like that.
“Labor have single-handedly reduced the amount we had pledged to the regions – $500 million over to just $200 million - and they are trying to make that seem like a good thing.
“In my Electorate of Nanango, Royalties for the Regions brought great benefits for the region, with more than $25 million for projects like new overtaking lanes, and dangerous intersections.
In the Somerset, $1.65 million went towards four new bridges including:
In the South Burnett we also saw a major commitment of $10million for the upgrade of the Kingaroy Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project which had to be done, but for which the local Council had no funding.
“The Labor program really does show absolute disregard for rural and regional areas. The LNP understands regional areas like the Nanango Electorate is the engine room of our State economy and resource rich regions like ours deserve to see the benefits of this industry.
“I’ve also taken the opportunity in Parliament this month to express my disappointment in the scrapping of the Royalties for the Regions program,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says she is pleased that her constant pressure and lobbying of the Minister for Energy and Water has resulted in the announcement of a review into the recent water releases from Wivenhoe Dam.
Mrs Frecklington said that the Minister has finally acknowledged that there is problem with the notification system for downstream landholders, which has resulted in serious damage to pumping and farming infrastructure.
“I’m disappointed that it has taken three weeks and so much pressure from myself and the landholders for the Minister and Department to realise that this event needs investigation.
“Minister Bailey has been reluctant to acknowledge the fact that the notifications for downstream landholders came after the gates were open, so I hope this review brings this to light and helps ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“Landholders downstream of Wivenhoe Dam deserve to be heard and I hope this review gives them this opportunity,” Mrs Frecklington said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has taken the opportunity in State Parliament this week call on Minister for Energy and Water, Mark Bailey to investigate the recent damaging water releases from Wivenhoe Dam.
Mrs Frecklington said it was important to highlight the issue in Parliament as so many landholders downstream of Wivenhoe have suffered major damage to infrastructure following the releases.
“There are 18 landholders along this stretch of the Brisbane River who lost pumps and infrastructure to the value of more than $150,000. Plus, there’s the damage to the river banks in excess of $200,000,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It is not good enough that landholders were not notified about the initial release until after it had begun. I also want to know why so much water was released so quickly.
“I am concerned that the Minister does not understand or care about what has happened along the Brisbane River and the losses which have been suffered by our primary producers.
“I am urging him to come out here and visit the people of Wivenhoe Pocket to see the damage and understand the effects of these types of releases from Wivenhoe Dam.
“After all the lessons from the floods of 2011 and 2013, I want answers for my constituents about why this has occurred,” Mrs Frecklington said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she is extremely disappointed that Pulse Health have decided to close the South Burnett Private Hospital.
Mrs Frecklington says she totally understands how frustrated the region must feel, given the amount of community support shown towards the Private Hospital for so many years.
“Our community have fundraised and taken this private operation under their wing because they knew how important this health service was to our region,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This decision is going to leave a very large hole in the provision of health services in the South Burnett.
“Over the past three years, our former LNP Government and I worked closely with the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Board to improve the level of health service in the South Burnett, particularly at the Kingaroy Hospital.
“I believe this has been very successful, but at the same time, it was always with the intention of continuing to work with the private health sector in Kingaroy.
“I welcome the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board Chairman, Mr Mike Horan’s opinion that it is the Health Boards continued priority to advocate for a new public hospital in Kingaroy.
“It has been my goal since being elected to achieve a brand new hospital for the South Burnett, and in the event of the Private Hospital closure, the need has never been so great.
“Our former Government identified several rural and regional hospitals previously neglected by the Labor Government, and at the top of the list was Kingaroy Hospital. I will be urging the new Health Minister not to forget the regions, and put Kingaroy Hospital at the top of the capital works list as a matter of priority,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says yet another set of infrastructure projects she has previously announced have been re-announced by the Labor Government.
Mrs Frecklington said in early 2015 the successful Round 4 projects through the former LNP Government’s Royalties for the Regions program were announced with more than $1.65 million going towards new bridge infrastructure in the Somerset.
“The Labor Government are just re-announcing these projects and claiming them as their own,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“In fact, one of my first jobs following the election was to write to the Labor Government asking them to honour these Round 4 projects because they are so important for the people of the Somerset region.
“I have only just received a letter from Minister Lynham this month confirming they would honour the projects.”
Deb said four bridges in the Somerset would be upgraded including:
“I’ve also taken the opportunity in Parliament this month to express my disappointment in the scrapping of the Royalties for the Regions program,” Deb said.
“Unfortunately, the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government have single-handedly reduced the amount we had pledged to the regions from $495 million over four years to just $390 million.
“I believe this shows absolute disregard for rural and regional areas. We created Royalties for the Regions to fund the roads, bridges, water infrastructure and flood mitigation works that regional communities desperately needed after 20 years of Labor neglect. There was no clearer demonstration of the LNP’s pledge to Queensland’s regions than our Royalties for the Regions program.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has welcomed announcements in the Federal Government’s 2015 Budget which she says will go a long way in helping local small business owners.
Mrs Frecklington said the Jobs and Small Business Package includes several key initiatives such as a 1.5 percentage point tax cut, red tape cuts and measures to encourage start-ups and entrepreneurship.
“There are hundreds of South Burnett small business owners who will really appreciate these announcements that will help them grow their business and our local economy,” Mrs Frecklington said.
Local Kingaroy businesswoman, Anitta Stallwood of RBM Bags said the Federal Government should be commended for the small business initiatives brought down in the Federal Budget.
“Finally, someone’s focusing on the issues affecting the whole country. Small businesses like RBM Industrial Bags who employ 5-15 people are the backbone of this nation and real measures such as lowering the company tax rate by 1.5% will directly assist our business and keep people employed,” Ms Stallwood said.
“Our business will also directly benefit from the Accelerated Depreciation changes, helping us to expand and create further job security for our employees into the future.
“This is important, as it ensures a prosperous business for us, a prosperous region for the South Burnett and a prosperous Australian society.”
“Everybody wins in the end,” she said.
Deb said the Federal Budget also contains record investment in health and education plus commitments to key regional road infrastructure projects.
“Funding for several key road infrastructure projects will be of great benefit to our region, helping improve freight movement and encouraging people to visit our region on drive holidays,” she said. These projects include:
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says the re-announcement of the Brisbane Valley Highway Upgrade south of Geoff Fisher Bridge is welcome, but is well known as a program secured in 2014 by the LNP.
Mrs Frecklington said the works have just been re-announced by Labor but were part of a package announced by former Ipswich West MP Sean Choat and herself in 2014.
“The LNP recognised the importance of fixing this 1km stretch of the Brisbane Valley Highway between Fernvale and the Geoff Fisher Bridge with design work taking place over the past six months,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This project was identified, fully funded and scheduled for completion before the end of this financial year. I’m glad that the Labor government will be honouring this LNP project.
“Unfortunately, it again shows the Labor Government is out of ideas and relying on the LNP’s track-record to boost its lagging credibility.
“The real winners here are the thousands of people who use the Brisbane Valley Highway each day and know just how bad it has become.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says it is obvious lessons from the 2011 and 2013 floods still haven’t been learnt when it comes to notifying landholders downstream of the Wivenhoe Dam about potentially damaging water releases.
Mrs Frecklington said that despite promises to the contrary, mid-Brisbane River Irrigators were literally left in the dark and not properly notified of the Wivenhoe Dam releases which started on Friday 1st May.
“It was brought to my attention this week that landholders were not notified about the initial release until after it had begun,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“After asking the Minister for Energy and Water a Question in Parliament this week, Minister Bailey has admitted that landholders were not notified before the water started being released.
“Additionally, they were not notified about the increasing level of the releases, meaning many irrigators left pumps in the river believing they would be safe.
“No other relevant notifications were given until 5th May when they were notified that releases had stopped. In that time many of the pumps flooded.
“When I asked the Minister if he believed this notification process was satisfactory, he basically ignored the question and pleas of my constituents who have been left with expensive repair bills for their pumps and unanswered questions.
“The Minister later admitted that text messages were sent out after the Wivenhoe Gates were opened and he still does not seem to understand the significance of the problem. I will be calling on the Minister to take a look at what has happened and provide an explanation.
Matt Brooks, a local Wivenhoe Pocket landholder, says he received a notification at 2.50pm on Friday 1st that releases may commence, but it wasn’t until 8.07pm that night that he received a text stating the releases had already commenced at 8pm.
“What’s really disappointing is that all the landholders along the river have spent so much time since the 2011 floods meeting and consulting with Seqwater to try and improve the notification system,” Mr Brooks said.
“However, it seems the communication system is now even worse than in 2011. We had no idea how much the flows were going to increase. By Saturday morning, the river had gone up to such an extent that my pump was already fully flooded.
“We received a text on Saturday around noon letting us know that local bridges may be flooded, but this doesn’t help us understand the flow, and that was too late anyway for me. The only other message I received wasn’t until Tuesday 5th, four days later, to let me know the releases had stopped.
“I don’t think the Minister understands that with a night-time release, there is no way for us to easily monitor the river levels. By late on Friday evening, it was too dark and dangerous to start pulling pumps out of the river.”
ENDS…
Hansard Transcript - 7 May 2015 - Questions Without Notice
Wivenhoe Dam, Water Releases
Mrs FRECKLINGTON: My question without notice is to the Minister for Energy and Water Supply. Given the experiences following Tropical Cyclone Marcia releases from Callide Dam and the subsequent review into the notice provided to downstream landholders, can the minister confirm that landholders were correctly notified in the lead-up to releases from Wivenhoe Dam from last Friday onwards?
Mr BAILEY: I can inform the honourable member that when Wivenhoe Dam was required to release some water last week they notified—
Mr Rickuss interjected.
Mr WELLINGTON: Member for Lockyer, I give you notice that if you persist you will be warned under 253A.
Mr BAILEY: I am advised that notification started at 10 to 3 on that day from Seqwater to downstream landholders. They were further advised at 7.40 pm that the gates would actually be released at 8 pm. So there was notification. I understand there are a few people who have a different point of view. I am happy to have that investigated. But I can say that the Wivenhoe requirements under the revised manual were adhered to—that is what I am advised—and that the notifications did go out.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - Correction of Answer to Question; Wivenhoe Dam, Water Releases
Hon. MC BAILEY (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply) (9.10 pm): This morning I informed the House that when Wivenhoe Dam was required to release some water, landholders received notification from Seqwater at 10 to three on 1 May. I am informed that this notification was to advise that gate releases may be required that night. I also advised the House that Seqwater provided further notification to landholders at 7.40 pm on 1 May of controlled releases from 8 pm. To clarify, this notification was sent to council and Main Roads at 7.38 pm and that further notification to mid Brisbane irrigators on the alert list was made by Seqwater at 8.07 pm.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has taken the opportunity during Parliament to call on the Labor Government to support key projects in the South Burnett.
Mrs Frecklington says she put a focus on the need for better access in the South Burnett to mental health services and also a commitment to a new Hospital for Kingaroy.
“I want to make sure the Electorate of Nanango is top-of-mind and that previously committed projects are honoured by the new Labor Government,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I want to gain a commitment for the South Burnett Clubhouse, which was a fully funded and budgeted local commitment I made during the Election.
“One of my major goals has always been to secure better mental health services for people in regional areas. The proposed ‘South Burnett Clubhouse’ offers a model of care which has a proven track record, providing intervention service that assists people who experience mental health problems,” she said.
“This project will be similar to the current, and very successful, Toowoomba Clubhouse which provides people with mental illness vocational training and work experiences, helping them connect with treatment, rehabilitation and re-establishment in the working community,” she said.
“I also highlighted the need for a brand new Hospital for Kingaroy. Our former Government identified that several rural and regional hospitals, previously neglected by the Labor Government, desperately needed replacement – at the top of the list was Kingaroy Hospital. It has been my goal since being elected to achieve a brand new hospital for my Nanango Electorate.
“I welcome the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board Chairman, Mr Mike Horan’s announcement yesterday that it is also the Health Boards continued priority to advocate for a new public hospital in Kingaroy.
“I urge the new Health Minister to not forget the regions, and put Kingaroy Hospital at the top of the capital works list.
“You can be assured that I’ll be fighting for ongoing commitments for the Electorate of Nanango to make sure our region is not overlooked by this Labor Government,” she said.
A community petition supporting the amended Acland Stage Three mine project has been presented to the Queensland Parliament.
In a show of solidarity, Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington was joined by Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts, Member for Condamine, Pat Weir and Member for Toowoomba South, John McVeigh as she tabled the 1250 signatures.
Mrs Frecklington said the petition calls on the Labor Government to do what is necessary to allow the project to go ahead.
“This Government keeps telling us jobs are a priority, and the LNP is determined to hold them to account,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Our communities understand the enormous benefits the Acland mine can provide to local regions and the petition is a practical document showing the depth of support for the project.
“The petition was made available at many local venues, like our pubs, butcher shops, hairdressers and garages and has been signed by local people who understand the importance of this industry.
“The signatories are united in voicing their support for the amended Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 Project; one that can bring further employment and wealth to the districts that surrounds the mine site.”
Now the petition has been tabled in State Parliament this week it will require a direct response from the Government.
“I also plan to table a Question on Notice asking the Premier to confirm her Government’s intentions for securing the hundreds of jobs which are under threat if the Stage Three approval isn’t given,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I would like to congratulate the organisers of the petition and thank everyone for their show of support.
“I don’t think the current Labor Government understands the importance of this project to the local economy.
“This proposal has been independently assessed and scrutinised by Queensland’s Independent Coordinator-General, and has 137 environmental conditions imposed on it.
“This is an example of development and environmental concerns being balanced for the greater good of the economic development of this State.
“Locally this will provide 700 jobs for people around this region and will go a long way in securing the future of small towns while at the same time meeting the concerns of the community in relation to the footprint on agricultural land.
“However, knowing Labor’s track record it is entirely possible they may choose to ignore these wins and bow to the demands of the vocal green minorities.
“For a Government that talks about jobs as a priority, let’s see if Labor lives up to its promise or crumbles once again.”
Photo: Presenting the 1250 strong petition for the amended Acland Stage Three project to the Clerk of the Parliament, Neil Laurie (centre) is from r to l Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts, Member for Condamine, Pat Weir and Member for Toowoomba South, John McVeigh.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she’s pleased an LNP Ethanol Mandate has been supported this week in Parliament.
Mrs Frecklington said the Opposition brought to a head plans to establish a renewable fuels industry in Queensland and the result of the parliamentary debate on Wednesday night puts to an end years of indecision and broken promises from Labor.
“It is an issue that has been widely debated for years, but under previous Labor governments had been put on the back burner,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This decision is a practical way to help stimulate regional economic development. It is a win for jobs across Queensland and this will have a flow on effect here in our region.
“It is also a win for the environment and another example of the LNP getting the balance right.”
Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles and is usually blended with petrol to reduce vehicle emissions.
“Creating an alternative and stable market for grain, cane and other feed-stocks will help diversify markets for our rural industries,” Deb said.
“It also stimulates employment growth in our regional communities - something this current Labor Government is struggling to achieve.
The LNP has acknowledged that there are intricacies and impacts that need to be fully considered before an expanded ethanol producing industry was given the go ahead.
“Now the Government has a direction from parliament to release a discussion paper by the end of the month and introduce legislation by the end of the year thanks to the LNP,” she said.
The LNP has urged Queenslanders to get behind thousands of electricity workers at risk of losing their jobs across the state.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is encouraging locals to support Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg’s online petition aimed at highlighting the precarious position of 1500 Ergon and Energex workers.
Mrs Frecklington said Queenslanders need an honest answer from the Labor Government about the impact of its proposal to merge state owned electricity corporations Energex and Ergon.
“This weekend unions marched alongside Labor MP’s but still questions remain over the government’s commitment to the jobs of frontline electricity workers,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Labor said an independent review to merge these organisations would save taxpayers $150 million a year but are yet to say where the savings would be found.
“What locals need to know is how many jobs will be lost in at our local depots, like Yarraman and Murgon, how many depots will be closed and how many services will disappear.
“Up to 1,500 electricity workers across Queensland face an uncertain future despite Labor promising jobs at the last State election.”
In 2014 the Electrical Trades Union [ETU] said there were 51 depots across Queensland threatened by any changes to the structure of the electricity industry.
“The ETU has been clear in wanting assurances from the government that the merger won’t affect front line services,” Deb said.
“The union officials who stood side by side with ALP politicians know this. These union bosses spent millions of dollars of their members fees on electing this Labor government; the very one that will cut these members jobs and drive up their cost of living.
“This decision will threaten community safety and seriously impact reconnection times through a downsized work force stretched to the limit. It seems Labor has quickly forgotten that our region is an area vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
“But we should not forget the biggest threat to local jobs is Labor.” To sign the on-line petition go to: https://lnp.typeform.com/to/A5DIHc
