Note From Nigel 22 January

Hello 2026,

I hope you enjoyed a restorative Christmas break and had the chance to spend time with family and friends. As January unfolds, the year is already moving quickly, and I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on my service to the Mackay electorate over the past year and share what lies ahead.

In 2025, I was proud to deliver strong outcomes for our community, including:
• Over 1,050 meetings and community engagements
• 2,560 constituent enquiries supported
• Direct meetings with more than 450 locals
• More than $900,000 in successful grant funding delivered across the electorate

These results reflect the importance of listening, advocating, and working collaboratively to achieve practical outcomes. While I’m pleased with what we achieved together in 2025, my focus for 2026 is clear — more community engagement, more conversations, and more opportunities to hear directly from you about how we can continue to secure funding and priorities for Mackay.

I’m also pleased to share some great news from early January, with several local organisations successful in the Gambling Community Benefit Fund Super Round, including Pioneer Community Kindergarten, Mackay Table Tennis, Mackay City Bowls Club, Mackay Galaxy Netball Club, and Southern Suburbs Cricket Club. These investments will make a real difference, and I look forward to sharing progress updates as projects get underway.

For community groups who missed out, Round 126 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund — the $35,000 standard grant round — is now open and will close at midnight on 28 February 2026. This funding supports organisations delivering vital services, recreation, and leisure opportunities.

For more information, visit:
www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/community-grants

As families prepare for the Back to School period, I’m proud that the Crisafulli Government is supporting families through practical initiatives, including:
• Free Kindy for all four-year-olds — 15 hours per week at no cost to families
• $200 Play On! Sports Vouchers — supporting children and young people aged 5 to 17 to get active through sport and recreation
• $100 Back to School Boost — annual support for every primary school student, locked in every year
• Nation-leading anti-bullying initiatives, 50¢ public transport fares, safer classrooms, and continued investment in schools with more teachers, teacher aides, and support staff

More information is available at: www.qld.gov.au/backtoschool

Following recent wet weather, I want to thank our community for looking out for one another, and acknowledge the emergency responders, essential workers, businesses, tradies, and community organisations who stepped up during challenging conditions.

To assist with clean-up efforts, grants of up to $25,000 are also available for small businesses affected by the severe weather within the Mackay Regional Council area. Funding can be used to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace or repair damaged infrastructure and stock, and cover other recovery-related costs.

For more information, visit: www.qrida.qld.gov.au

Finally, the Mackay Electorate Office is open and ready to assist. You’re welcome to visit us on Sydney Street, call 4960 7100, email mackay@parliament.qld.gov.au, or follow my Facebook page for updates.

I look forward to working with you throughout 2026.

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