MOUNT Isa mayor Joyce McCulloch strides into the Family Fun Park and greets the state member of parliament with a hug.
“Hi big fella, thank you!” she says, praising Rob Katter for his efforts in helping the council secure $3.03 million in state funding to upgrade the city’s facilities.
The mayor said there were projects “demanding some attention” in the city such as the Fun Park precinct, which includes the swimming pool and the skate park.
She observed the cracks in the ground at the fun park. “Look how bad it’s gotten,” the mayor said.
Shortly after, she explained the funding announcement to mothers bringing their children to the fun park.
“Wow, great news,” one of them said.
Cr McCulloch said other identified projects included repair of the stage lift in the civic centre, and the introduction of a recycling transfer station.
“This is a very important project for this council, but we have not previously had the funds,” she said.
Mount Isa Member Rob Katter said a purpose of the funding would be to stimulate jobs in the city.
“Everything has got to be rolled out by November,” he said.
“It’s great news for the council.
“They can get stuck into what they do best.
“It’s $3 million the ratepayers don’t have to come up with now. That can be somewhere around 300 bucks a rateable person in town. So that’s a good win.”
He said the funding added to the recent $15 million the state government offered to Glencore to help pay for the re-bricking of the copper smelter.
“There’s good news starting to flow back into the community but we will continue to fight for our fair share of the state government’s infrastructure spending,” Mr Katter said.
Deputy premier Jackie Trad announced the funding in Townsville on Thursday under the $200 million Works for Queensland Funding.
“This will provide a boost to every regional community, town and city and I urge councils to identify projects which will rapidly create jobs,” Ms Trad said.
