Cabinet’s empty drawers

SOUTHERN Downs Mayor Peter Blundell and councillors met six State Government ministers in Toowoomba on the weekend, but were warned that state coffers were empty.
However Cr Blundell described the meetings at Community Cabinet as productive.
He said that all ministers were clear from the outset that it was difficult to find money to support projects and activities.
“We were advised however that we should target current State Government funding initiatives,” Cr Blundell said.
“For instance the Exercise and Getting Active Program would allow us to upgrade sporting facilities that we feel need improvement or renovation.”
He said the upgrade of the notorious Eight Mile intersection was discussed with Transport Minister Scott Emerson who reiterated that the upgrade had the State Government’s full support, but because it was a national highway project the funding split would have to be 80 per cent federal and 20 per cent state.
Councillors also spoke to Minister Tracy Davis about disability services and she agreed that messages from the State Government needed to be clarified to allow a better understanding of what funding remained in place.
“Minister Davis emphasised that the State Government would be a purchaser of services rather than a creator of community groups or service providers,” the mayor said.
“We thanked the Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney for the process of working through the Co-ordinator-General regarding Emu Swamp Dam.
“We are awaiting news on this, having submitted our supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement,” he said.
“We advised the Deputy Premier about the Allora pipeline project and indicated our desire to sewer Allora. Mr Seeney gave an indication of the possibility of a funding source within existing State Government arrangements.
Cr Blundell said Agriculture Minister John McVeigh was receptive about the relocation of the Killarney Wild Dog Check Fence.
“Our idea was for a 50/50 funding split between the State Government and SDRC and Minister McVeigh said he would investigate this possibility,” he said.