I trust you and your family have enjoyed a safe and happy start to 2022.
Infrastructure:
Delivery of infrastructure is my first priority and the Sunshine Coast is now receiving more Federal funding than ever. For example, I secured $390M for Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrades and $241M to fund works currently underway on the Bruce Highway at Maroochydore and Mons Rds. I also announced $8.78M a couple of months ago for a regional food and beverage hub to help local food and beverage companies research, develop, manufacture and scale their products using common-use facilities.
As we look to the future, I believe nothing is more important than rail and I have two projects in mind. Both are new lines that would extend the existing network in the short term but should be designed to accommodate fast rail in the future: firstly, we need a new fully duplicated line – that’s two tracks – between Beerburrum and Nambour and; second, we need a new rail line from Beerwah to Maroochydore along the CAMCOS corridor. I have secured $5M for the former and $3M for the latter for planning work, to be matched by the Queensland Government, which owns and operates the rail.
I’m often asked why I’m driving the campaign for better rail when it’s a State Government responsibility. The answer is simple – our community needs better rail and I’m happy to try and secure Federal Government funds to help make it happen. I’m also happy to work shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone who’s prepared to advance these projects regardless of their politics because we need a unity ticket to succeed. If you agree, please register your support at www.fastrail.com.au.
Building Better Regions Grants:
The Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund is now open for community infrastructure, building upgrades, events and planning projects. I encourage interested community groups to speak with my office in the first instance.
Olympics Update:
I was honoured to be nominated recently for a position on the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (BOCOG), by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Summer road trip:
My summer road trip around the electorate is being planned for end of January with locations to be announced on my social pages and weekly e-Newsletter, to which you can subscribe at www.ted.obrien.com.au.