$25,000 BOOST FOR LOWOOD SHOWGROUNDS

08 October 2016

The Lowood Show Society has secured half the funds it needs to redevelop its grandstand and hall, thanks to a $25,075 Federal grant.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann congratulated the Lowood Show Society on its successful National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) grant.

“This grant provides half of the $50,150 required to remodel the grandstand, extend the hall and install a disabled lift,” Mr Neumann said.

“Anyone who has been to the Lowood Showgrounds knows how important it is to have more space.

“This is a great community venue and resource and the additional space and disabled lift will ensure everyone can use it appropriately.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work of Lowood Show Society President Noel Kammholz and Secretary Janine Schulz for their excellent application and perseverance.”

The Federal Government announced 67 projects to receive $126.5 million under the final round of the NSRF, which has been accused of being used as a Coalition slush fund by the Abbott-Turnbull Governments.

Mr Neumann said the Lowood Show Society was the only NSRF grant awarded in Blair and one of 11 awarded to Queensland communities.

“Out of six excellent and worthy applications worth $7,215,471 in Ipswich and the Somerset Region, we were successful in just one of those.

“I am grateful for any investment in local infrastructure.

“But what I do not understand is how two Liberal-held seats in inner Sydney and Melbourne could receive $13.2 million for a grant supposed to build “stronger regions.

“Tony Abbott’s seaside seat of Warringah received a $10 million grant while Josh Frydenberg’s leafy Melbourne seat of Kooyong received $3.2 million.

“These two seats are home to some of the nation’s wealthiest people, while Blair is home to some of the most disadvantaged.

“Under Labor regional and rural communities such as Blair received significant funding for important community infrastructure and development.

“The Turnbull Government must govern for all Australians and not just the Liberal and National seats, with funding granted on the basis of need and merit.

“I will continue to argue, advocate and agitate for Federal Government investment in Ipswich and the Somerset Region to ensure a fairer share of Federal funding.”

Applications submitted in Blair