Local school children and visitors to the Proserpine Dam are expected to benefit from additional facilities thanks to a two-part promise from LNP Candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox, who announced targeted funding for two key community projects last week.
Proserpine State School will receive $50,000 to contribute towards an additional playground for year three to six students who share one facility. Currently, some grades only receive access to the playground for an hour a week.
“The kids at Proserpine State School have had to be on a roster for outdoor play because there simply isn’t enough play space and equipment to cater for them,” said Mr Willcox.
“The P&C have worked hard to raise the funds they need so their kids get to play outside every day, not just a couple of times a week.
“They have done a terrific job and put together about $45,000. Their aim is to buy and install new playground equipment with a soft-fall surface and ultimately also put up a shade sail.
“This funding will help them do just that.”
In addition, Mr Willcox has pledged $1 million for stage 2 of the Lake Proserpine Recreation Facility, a project he was passionate about when he was Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor.
“One of the commitments I made to the Proserpine community before becoming mayor was to activate Lake Proserpine, to better utilise this great natural asset in the region,” Mr Willcox said.
Stage One of activating the campground saw the addition of new public toilets and showers, bush camping sites, fire pits, updated picnic facilities and fishing pontoons.
“This $1 million commitment will fund Stage Two of the Lake Proserpine Recreation Facility – Camping Area Expansion, which will see the establishment of 10 cabins, powered caravan sites and a camp kitchen in the southern area camping ground,” he said.
“This will provide more accommodation capacity right at Lake Proserpine to make it easier for people to stay in the area and try their hand at catching that barra.”
