14/12/2024 

The Albanese Labor Government is making the Somerset Region an even better place to live, today announcing over 5,061,293 in Federal Government funding to support their delivery.

The Toogoolawah Gateway Centre project will deliver a new community centre, incorporating a library, physical and wellness centre, seminar rooms, public and staff amenities, and a car park, creating employment opportunities, while providing access to services to improve community health outcomes.

In addition, the Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails project in Esk will provide a six-kilometre recreational low-impact, walking-only trail network, including a summit trail and lookout at Mount Glen Rock, with the aim of enticing further visitors to the region, creating regular local employment, and increasing contributions to the local economy.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said that councils and local organisations had struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets after being deprived of a competitive, urban community infrastructure program under the former government.

"We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem - to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs," Minister King said.

"Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies - and they're becoming increasingly important."

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann was in Toogoolawah today to announce the funding and inspect the gateway centre site, and said the two projects would keep community members connected, enrich quality of life, and enhance social inclusion.

"Thriving Suburbs is an open and competitive program, with funding awarded on a merit basis, supported by a two-stage assessment process," Mr Neumann said.

"This is another demonstration of the Albanese Government's commitment to delivering a local community infrastructure funding program focused on integrity, transparency, accountability and collaboration.

"I'm thrilled to see this funding flowing to the long called-for Toogoolawah Gateway Centre and Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails projects to take them off the drawing board and make them a reality.

"The Thriving Suburbs Program is making local priority projects a reality and I look forward to seeing the significant benefits this funding will provide for our community."

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt welcomed the announcement, and thanked Mr Neumann, Minister King and the Federal Government for the funding contribution to these projects.

"This is brilliant news for the Somerset Region. As a Council, we're acutely aware that Toogoolawah is a disadvantaged community with few public transport and medical services, so the Toogoolawah Gateway Centre project will help fill a major services gap," Mayor Wendt said.

"It's projected more than 1,800 people per year who would not otherwise see a health professional and more than 2,000 people per year who would otherwise travel for health care will use the Toogoolawah Gateway Centre's visiting health services.

"In addition, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) attracts around 35,000 visitors each year, so the Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails project will capitalise on the trail by enticing more visitors and encouraging extended stays in Esk, creating a destination experience.

"We have a beautiful, untapped asset right on Esk's doorstep capable of bringing in tourism dollars and improving the health and fitness of our residents, and the project will create more opportunities for our local businesses and employment in Somerset.

"I'm very pleased that the trails will be developed on Council freehold land under a Cultural Heritage Management Plan agreed to with the Jagera people."

For more information, including a full list of successful projects in the state, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities/thriving-suburbs-program

Photo: Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann was in Toogoolawah with Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt to announce funding for the Toogoolawah Gateway Centre and Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails projects.