Police are undergoing investigations following a suspicious house fire in Mackay.
In the early hours of June 9th, emergency services responded to distressing reports of a house fire as flames engulfed a property on Goldsmith Street.
The incident was attended to by local authorities just after 2.30am, where they arrived to find a 33-year-old man injured but with non-life-threatening burns.
The man was then transported to Mackay Base Hospital for medical treatment.
Residents who live near the property shared their account of the fire on Facebook, saying they believed the house to be unoccupied presently, however it was thought that homeless people had been squatting inside the house when the fire erupted, resulting in one man becoming seriously injured.
Police have since declared the site a crime scene and investigations remain ongoing.
Authorities appeal to witnesses or anyone possessing information to come forward and contact the police immediately.

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Investigations remain ongoing after a house was set alight on Goldsmith Street, 9th June in the early hours of the morning, the cause remains unknown. Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara

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Three exceptional individuals in the region have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to the community as part of the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List.

William ‘Bill’ Faint, Len Goode and Christopher Haswell were recently selected to be honoured with William and Len receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and Christopher being honoured with the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM).

William Faint, also known as Bill is a former councillor from Clermont and has dedicated fifty years of his life to serving his community. His contributions to the Clermont Show Society and rodeo have been invaluable and his efforts in spearheading funding for the Clermont Showgrounds have left a lasting legacy.

Alongside Rob Whelan, Faint played a pivotal role in securing resources for the community, as evidenced by the pavilions named in their honour. Faint's humility and dedication have endeared him to the people of Clermont.

Len Goode, a former butcher turned community leader in Sarina, exemplifies selflessness and commitment. His involvement in five different organisations including the Lions Club, Apex club, Sarina Leagues club as well as the Sarina Senior and Junior Rugby League, showcases his passion for community service. As the chief organiser for various events in Sarina, Goode has demonstrated leadership and organisational skills that have positively impacted the community.

Len’s contributions extend beyond social activities as he also played a crucial role in community infrastructure projects such as the Sarina Swimming Pool construction committee. Goode's lifelong dedication has earned him the admiration and respect of his peers within the region of Sarina.

Officer Christopher (Chris) Haswell, Advanced Care Paramedic, Mackay Ambulance Station has been recognised for his long and exceptional service over 48 years, his dedication to his community and the QAS with an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM).

He’s also being recognised as an accomplished clinician, remaining calm during some of the most time-critical incidents, and for his role in mentoring and providing educational support to many junior officers over the years.

The ASM recognises distinguished service as a member of an Australian ambulance service and is the highest national award recognising ambulance officers’ contributions to their service and communities.

Officer Haswell has the QAS in his blood, as he, his father and grandfather all served as ambulance officers in the then Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB).

“We have 136 years of accumulated service between us, with my grandfather serving from 1911 to 1960s, my father serving from 1957 to 2010 and I started as an honorary officer in 1975 in Emerald as a 16-year-old, helping the ambulance officers on some of their jobs,” he said.

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Len Goode. Photo supplied

Officer Christopher Haswell, Advanced Care Paramedic. Photo supplied

Bill Faint and Rob Whelan. Photo credit: Clermont Beef Show

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Mackay has recently experienced a fruitful surge in births as Mater Mothers' Private Mackay celebrated welcoming 60 newborn babies into the world during the month of May.

This marks the hospital's highest monthly birth rate since September 2014 when 61 babies were born.

Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay Midwifery Unit Manager Sarah Fordyce said the hospital had seen a steady increase in births over the past five years, from 410 in 2020 to 457 last year.

However, she said the reason for last month’s spike was unclear.

“It could be that people delayed having babies during the global pandemic and we’re
now seeing a correction of that,” Ms Fordyce said.

“Whatever the reason, we are loving the chance to be part of such a special moment in
the lives of so many Mackay families.”

Of the 60 babies born at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay in the month of May, 26 were boys and 34 girls.

There were also two sets of twins.

Little Myles McNeil was the 60th Mater baby in May and was born to 26-year-old Kya McNeil.

Myles’s big sister, Elena, was also born at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay in 2022 and Ms McNeil said she was excited that Myles was part of the local baby boom.

"When we chose Myles' name, my husband Benjamin said it sounded like he was destined to be a famous cricketer or to achieve something great,” she said.

“And indeed, the first thing Myles accomplished was being the 60th baby born at Mater!

"Coming into Mater for our second baby and having great midwives with energy, presence, and calmness made it a wonderful experience.”

Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay offers a range of services to support new parents, including prenatal classes, lactation consulting and postnatal care.

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Kya and Benjamin McNeil with baby Myles at Mater Mothers’ Mackay. Image Supplied

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In an exciting announcement, the highly anticipated Ronald McDonald Family Room officially re-opened to families earlier this week on Tuesday the 11th of June.
As part of the Queensland State Government Mackay Base Hospital expansion project, the Ronald McDonald Family Room has been relocated to its new temporary site within the Mackay Base Hospital grounds.
With an estimated 3,000 annual visitors who access the Mackay service, the Family Room welcomes the addition of a designated outdoor play area for young children, offering an enhanced experience for families during their challenging stay.
Samantha Baker, Community Engagement Executive for RMHC Mackay and the Whitsundays said “Now we have a beautiful outdoor play area, we’re really excited to have that, it’s just going to make a really big difference for families.”
The Ronald McDonald Family Room will operate in conjunction with the Mackay RMHC Hospitality Cart, a secondary care program that was introduced by the Charity during the relocation period.
The Hospitality Cart, stationed in the children's wards of Mackay Base Hospital, offers crucial assistance, comfort and essential items to families with sick or injured children at no charge.
Since its introduction in February of this year, it has assisted over 655 families and distributed more than 2,320 items.
The re-opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Room, and continued delivery of the RMHC Hospitality Cart, further strengthens RMHC North Australia’s commitment to local families with sick and injured children.
RMHC North Australia CEO, Jennifer Clermont, said the range of support that the Charity offers makes a significant difference to local families in need.
“Whether it’s access to a comfy bed in our Overnight Sleep Rooms, having a cup of coffee and a chat with one of our dedicated volunteers, enjoying a new toy or warm pair of socks from the Hospitality Cart, Mackay region families can know that RMHC North Australia are there for them when they need it most.”
The temporary move is a component of a forthcoming strategy that aims to permanently shift the Ronald McDonald Family Room to the Child and Adolescent unit once the Mackay Base Hospital Expansion project is complete.

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Samantha Baker, Community Engagement Executive for RMHC Mackay and the Whitsundays says the family room supported over 3000 visitors in the first year of operation. Photo Credit: Hannah Mc

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With a big heart and a willingness to make a difference, Ashley Reid, the acting manager of operational services for Mackay Hospital and Health Services, volunteered to go under the clippers to bid farewell to his cherished beard. His sacrifice was not merely an act of personal grooming but a powerful gesture in support of Mackay's Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Assisted by Sam from Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia, each stroke of the clippers symbolised not only the shedding of facial hair but also the shedding of burdens for families facing serious illness.

This is the fourth time in eight years that Ashley has embarked on the fundraising challenge and this year had set an ambitious target of $1800, but the generosity of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service staff and the wider community went above and beyond his expectations.

Surpassing his goal, he raised an impressive $2500.

Ashley’s charity page is still open for another week, which means there's still time to contribute to this worthy cause. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a meaningful impact on the lives of ill children and their families, providing them with the care and support they need.

A heartfelt thank you was extended to all who rallied behind Ashley on a Facebook post that read: “Thank you to Mackay HHS staff and community who have generously supported Ash throughout his ‘Shave for kids’ campaign helping raise vital funds for the Ronald McDonald Family Room and seriously ill children and their families when they need it most.”

To donate, visit https://nafundraising.rmhc.org.au/.../shave-for-the-kids-.

Ashley Reid sacrificed his beloved beard after partaking in the ‘Shave for Kids’ campaign, which raised funds for sick children at the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Photo credit: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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Penny Tatow and daughter Timika Tatow are the driving forces behind Family and Children’s Emerging Support Services, (FACESS).

FACESS is an indigenous organisation that provides a range of programs with a focus on working with and alongside vulnerable families and children in the community.

This initiative was founded in March 2023 after recognising crucial gaps regarding support services in Mackay for first-nations families and children. Penny and Timika made it their mission to be the light for young indigenous people and thrive for positive outcomes by practicing early intervention and offering support in various ways.

Founder Penny Tatow says “We place a lot of emphasis on children and the youth to ensure that these young people have access to the same opportunities like every other young person in our community”.

“We facilitate and establish safe and supported connections to community and services, we have access to the needed support and resources for our young people and families to thrive and we want to reduce the risk of children and youth from becoming in contact with the youth justice system, as part of our early intervention and prevention approach.

“We provide a lot of different activities such as fishing, boating, picnicking, camping, sports -you name it - and we also provide tutoring support as well and a lot of mentoring.”

Mentorship programs are available by the Community Kincare team with a focus on mentoring the youth and supporting any mental health challenges they may be facing.

FACESS can even offer tailored support to suit the unique needs of young people and their families, working alongside community referrals such as child safety, education and mental health resources as well as youth justice.

Penny emphasises that FACESS comes in as community Kincare team to be a secondary support to families as they work across domestic violence and other issues alongside child safety.

Future plans involve establishing an indigenous youth hub in Mackay that caters to the needs of young people.

To continue this impactful mission, FACESS are in need of community funding and are currently seeking partnership to fill the gaps where it’s needed most.

“We heavily rely on funding, community sponsorship and donations and we desperately need an office space to set up an indigenous youth hub in our community.

“It’s about working together as a community and we want to see people getting behind these young people and vulnerable families.

“It’s our collective responsibility as a community to ensure that our young people are thriving and I encourage anyone to reach out to us, we are looking for sponsorship and donations.

“If you’ve got sporting gear, crab pots or fishing gear that you’re not using, we would absolutely encourage you to donate that, it doesn’t have to be brand new.

“At the end of the day, our kids are longing for connection and a sense of belonging and a lot of our young people need our community to back them, our youth rely on those of us who are well positioned to provide that support so please reach out to us.”

To contribute to this vital cause and make a difference in young people’s lives, you can visit www.facess.org.au or contact directly on 0477719288.

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Penny Tatow, Founder of Family and Children’s Emerging Support Services (FACESS) with daughter and Co-founder Timika Tatow

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When you think of Mackay Regional Council Libraries, a building full of books may come to mind, but that’s not all our regional libraries have to offer.

Mackay Regional Council libraries provide a wide range of resources, programs and activities for all ages, completely free of charge with a focus on education and bettering the community.

We spoke with Donna Kellion last Friday at Caneland Central, who shared some of the remarkable initiatives that Mackay Regional Council Libraries offer our region.

“We have amazing online resources for students, particularly high school students where they can access online tutoring 24/7 with programs like Studiosity at no charge at all with a free membership card.

“If they need help with research, the Studiosity system will connect the student up with an appropriate tutor and it will help them work through their homework and provide them with the information they need and that’s just some of the resources we have within the library and there’s so much more.

“The research is behind fire walls so not everybody can see it but all you need is your free Mackay library membership card and it will save students a great deal of time and give great information.”

Berky the bush turkey was also on board to help the lovely ladies spread the word to younger children. Donna says he is very popular and ‘often visits schools and day cares and the kids really enjoy that. Berky is a local icon.’

For more information, visit Mackay Regional Council Libraries online or via Facebook.

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Donna Kellion and Prachi Goti from Mackay Regional Council Libraries. Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara

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The upcoming Mackay Show promises something for everyone in your family, including your beloved furry companion!

Mayor Greg Williamson highlighted the wide range of prizes on offer at this year's Mackay Regional Council display, including two ‘pawfect’ pet pamper packs.

“Our Local Laws team will be promoting pet registration at the Mackay Show and have partnered with Mackay City Pet Barn to offer an incentive for new pet registrations,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Any resident who registers their pet for the first time in June and fills in an entry form at the Mackay Show will go in the draw to win one of two, five-hundred-dollar pet pamper packs,” he said.

“If people can’t make it to the Show, they can still enter by filling in an entry form on the council Show web page and registering their pet online.”

The Sarina Sugar Shed will also be back by popular demand and will be the centrepiece of the pavilion again this year, Mayor Williamson said.

“The Sugar Shed team will have a delicious range of free taste-testers for people to try and buy, including their award-winning sauces, chutneys and liqueurs," he said.

“There will be Sugar Shed fairy floss for sale for the kids and they will even have an augmented reality board, allowing people to interact with the display in virtual reality.”

Council’s Mackay Show display hours are 2pm to 8pm Tuesday (June 18), 10.30am to 8pm Wednesday (June 19) and 9am to 4pm on the public holiday (Thursday, June 20).

For more information on the Council Mackay Show display, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/show

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Visit the Council display at the upcoming Mackay Show and register for your chance to win great prizes from local organisations such as Petbarn, Sarina Sugar Shed and more

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Young Australians seeking careers in the agriculture industry will reap the benefits of the AgCAREERSTART pilot program.
The pilot program provides on-the-job experience, offering successful applicants aged 18–25, the opportunity to have a practical placement on a farm over a 10–12-month period.
Commencing in November 2021, the AgCAREERSTART pilot program has provided 180 young people with experience working in agriculture in the early part of their careers.
The pilot program provides on-the-job training, free lodging with the host farm, a development grant and the opportunity to build strong relationships within the industry.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Matthew Lowe said that the program is a fantastic initiative that connects farmers with individuals seeking career pathways in the sector.
“The pilot program has been valuable for employers and participants with 82% of participants completing their placement.
“A high percentage of them (80 per cent), also indicated they will stay on in the agriculture sector following their time with the program.
“The agricultural sector is on track to being an $100 billion industry by 2030, to reach this goal it is vital that we have a pipeline of young, motivated Australians in this space.
“The AgCAREERSTART pilot program connects young like-minded people together, creating strong relationships and networking opportunities for participants.
“Agriculture has so many career pathways, from animal husbandry, developing and operating state-of-the-art machinery and technology, to business, marketing and STEM research and analysis.
An additional $500,000 has been committed to the $5 million initiative in the 2023–24 Federal Budget. This top-up will extend the pilot for a further two years.
For further information on the AgCAREERSTART pilot program visit: agcareerstart.com.au.

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With a rich history spanning over six decades, the Mackay & District Orchid Society was
established in 1957, and to this day, remains steadfast in its commitment to the
preservation, cultivation and dissemination of knowledge surrounding these exquisite
flowers.

At its core, the Mackay & District Orchid Society is driven by a set of objectives aimed at
advancing all facets of orchidology. These objectives encompass the promotion of orchid
cultivation, hybridisation and overall appreciation of their natural history.

Additionally, the association seeks to foster a sense of camaraderie among its members
while actively contributing to the preservation of orchids in their natural habitats.

With a membership exceeding 150 individuals, the club thrives through regular engagement
and activities.

Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month for members to showcase
their prized plants and engage in friendly competitions. These meetings feature popular
votes by both members and official judges, concluding in recognition with small orchid
prizes.

One of the highlights on the calendar is the new growers' workshops, where seasoned
members generously share their expertise on various aspects of orchid care. From repotting
techniques to pest management, these workshops provide invaluable insights for both
novice and experienced growers alike.

Throughout the year, the society hosts three major shows during Winter, Autumn, and
Spring, where members proudly display their blooms for official judging. These shows are
open to the public and offer a unique opportunity for orchid enthusiasts to admire and
purchase essential supplies and accessories.

Beyond local events, members actively participate in open field days organised by
neighbouring clubs, fostering cross-club collaboration and knowledge exchange. Additionally,
the judges travel to other shows, ensuring impartial assessments and enriching the broader
orchid community.

In light of recent venue changes, the club looks forward to welcoming members and visitors
to its new location at The Mackay & District Senior Citizens’ Centre, 58 Macalister Street,
Mackay.

On Saturday 20th and Sunday the 21st of July there will be orchids, pots and accessories for
sale as well as raffles, prizes, refreshments and eats. A $2 gold coin donation is required for
admission.

As the Mackay & District Orchid Society prepares for its upcoming "Winter Show" in July,
you’re invited to embrace this new chapter to celebrate the beauty and diversity of orchids.

For further information, visit www.mdos.com.au online, Mackay and District Orchid Society
Inc on Facebook or contact President Dennis Farlow directly on 0458043132.

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Table of orchids at the last Mackay & District Orchid Society Autumn Show.
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Group photo taken at a “New Growers Workshop”. Images Supplied

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What: Winter Orchid Show, presented by Mackay & District Orchid Society
When: Saturday 20th July 8am-4pm & Sunday 2nd July 8am-3pm
Where: Mackay Senior Citizens' Centre, 58 Macalister Street, Mackay
More info: www.mdos.com.au

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Groundbreaking automation for a soil-scanning process developed at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre could be vital to the future of successful broadacre cropping planning.
Electro-magnetic survey scanning has long been used to identify variability in soils, including assessment of salinity, water and clay content.
The process has usually involved a scanning sled being dragged behind an all-terrain vehicle.
However, in a possible world-first, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries team at the Smart Cropping Centre has developed an automated scanning process.
The innovation has the potential to save hundreds of hours on-farm, freeing farmers, staff and resources for other tasks.
The system they have developed brought together SwarmRobot Sunny and an ElectroMagnetic (EM) 38 Survey Unit and analysis service provided by Data Farming, two of Queensland’s stand-out AgTech and Innovation companies.
"The impact of this innovation for farmers to better manage drought conditions and overall farm agronomy is huge," Queensland Smart Cropping Centre senior innovation broker Alicia Dunbar said.
"We can see this becoming a standard add-on to autonomous robots such as SwarmBots that are continually building hyper-accurate soil and moisture maps in real time.
"These units offer a non-invasive, efficient and precise means of assessing and monitoring soil properties and we’re excited to work with industry to make this a widespread tool for producers.
"The technology supports our research and production systems including soil salinity assessment, soil texture and structure analysis, soil moisture content, mapping soil depth and guiding our soil sampling efforts.
"The Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald is producing real-world results, propelling our research capabilities to better manage the uncertainties of the future in broadacre cropping that will help our famers to be more productive and more profitable."

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Griffith University’s Dr Yunying Fang has successfully progressed with a research proposal regarding the Soil CRC’s Round 24-1.

The Soil CRC (CRC for High Performance Soil) works to connect scientists with farmers to uncover practical solutions for Australia’s underperforming soil. The organization aims to enable farmers to increase their overall productivity and profitability levels through providing them with knowledge and tools to improve the performance of their soils.

The success of Dr Fang of Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute will have her leading a new project titled Glasshouse and field evaluation of organic-based nitrogen fertilizers for crop production and soil health, with over $800,000 in funding on a 2-and-a-half-year timeline.

“The outcomes of this project will be organic-based slow-release urea fertilisers, recommendations of usage and placement in farming systems, which will help co-deliver agronomic and economic benefits and ecological sustainability in farming systems," Dr Fang said.

Joining Dr Fang’s research team will be Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS), the Burdekin based organisation working with growers to address productivity, profitability and sustainability in sugar cane systems. Along with BPS, Charles Sturt University, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), and Central West farming Systems will also hold roles in the project’s research and development.

Urea fertilisers work to improve the nutritional composition of sugarcane silage and trials have been undertaken in Brazil to compare the fermentative characteristics of the addition of protected or conventional urea to sugarcane silage to evaluate its nutritional value.

Dr Fang has been celebrated for the success of her research proposal and the overall benefits her project will offer to farmers to help them in meeting the nutritional needs of their sugar cane crop.

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Sarina State High School’s star student, Katie Hauwert recently showcased her exceptional talent at the 10-12 Years Girls Netball State Championships in Toowoomba.

The four-day event proved to be a remarkable experience for Katie, where she demonstrated some of her finest netball skills. Her stellar performance on the court earned her the Capricornia Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Simone, Katie's mother and a netball coach herself, emphasises the importance of fitness in the sport. Proud of her daughter's dedication, Simone highlights Katie's journey in netball, which began back in prep and describes Katie as a farm girl who has discovered her passion for netball and wholeheartedly embraces it.

For Katie, the State Championships in Toowoomba marked a significant milestone, as it was her first-time visiting Brisbane and Toowoomba. She cherished every moment of the trip and delivered exceptional performances on the court, playing alongside three other Mackay girls.

Simone says that Katie's strong bond with her teammates and their support contributed to her success.

Her commitment to training, evident even at the age of twelve, reflects Katie's determination to excel in netball. Simone expresses immense pride in watching her daughter play, admiring Katie's agility and skill on the court and is a joyous moment for Simone to witness Katie pursuing her passion with such enthusiasm and dedication.

“Watching Katie play, it’s just such a great feeling, she moves so well on the court and it’s a really proud feeling for me to see her doing what she loves,” Simone said.

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Katie Hauwert has been playing netball since she was in prep and is on the road to success after winning outstanding achievements at the young age of twelve. We wish Katie all the best in her future! Image supplied

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Recent Senate Estimates revealed that there was minimal funding allocated in the forward estimates for the urgent upgrades of the 457-kilometre Beef Corridors Road Network, according to Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry.

Only $45 million has been designated, which accounts for just 10 percent of the originally earmarked $400 million, spread across three financial years, Ms Landry said, which she exclaims is another example of contempt for the rural communities in the region.

“Despite the region contributing a staggering $1.7 billion to the economy, the government is draining resources from the area and failing to provide significant benefits to the communities within the Beef Corridors Road network,” Ms Landry said.

“It was all well and good for the Prime Minister and fellow Ministers to front up to Beef 2024 recently, donning their Akubra’s and claiming to support the industry.

“However, these sentiments fall short when funding for critical beef road networks can be so easily pulled,” Ms Landry added.

Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce said May Senate Estimates confirmed that the Government has allocated less than $100 million of the $400 million required to seal the Beef Corridors in the forward estimates.

“The communities that rely on the Beef Corridors Road network have still been left in the dark about where the money is going to be provided for vital upgrades and sealing,” Mr Boyce said.

“I’m calling on the Federal Labor Government to bring forward the funding and get the Beef Corridors upgrade underway ASAP.”

Senator for Queensland, Matthew Canavan said that it is risking the lives of those who live and work in the Beef Corridors network of roads.

"The roads due to be upgraded under the Beef Corridors funding are a risk to all those that have driven them, and that was why we put $400 million towards them when we were in Government.
“Labor ripped the funding out and cast a cloud of uncertainty on these much-needed upgrades, but the funding over the next four years is still short of what it was meant to be this time last year,” Mr Canavan said.
Senate Estimates revealed the distribution of funds for the Beef Corridors Road Network as $10 million for the 2024/25 financial year, $15 million for the 2025/26 financial year and $20 million for the 2026/27 financial year.

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Beef Corridors funding has fallen short, leaving rural roads left in limbo and drivers potentially at risk. Image supplied

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