A new state government fund will deliver local benefits to communities around the Borumba Pumped Hydro project in Queensland.
An initial $5-million investment will restore crucial local family health services back to Imbil, after the private clinic shut a year ago.
Additionally, funds will help deliver long awaited local mountain bike and walking trails, and progress proposed plans to build a second stage to the Mary Valley rail trail.
QLD Minister for Energy Mick de Brenni said that with every energy project the government delivers, it would create new jobs and protect existing ones, and deliver legacy benefits to the communities that host them.
He said: “We’ve heard what the community needs, and the impact of restoring local health services cannot be overstated.
“We’ve chosen this site for its location close to large population centres and its good elevation, which also means it’s downhill and cross country mountain biking potential is huge.
“The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is one of two that are critical to ensuring Queensland meets its renewable energy targets, and it’s crucial we work with relevant communities and the local councils to get this right.
“We’re more determined than ever to deliver to the region things the locals want, and need, and following the closure of the local Imbil GP clinic 12 months ago, we’re proud to be delivering this key service back to the community.”
More specifically, the funding will go towards:
- Re-establishing GP services in the township of Imbil by partnering with Country to Coast Queensland, the local Primary Health Network, and undertaking an assessment of local health needs that will inform decisions around the need for future health services throughout the Borumba region. Imbil has been without a GP service for approximately 12-months.
- Funding the feasibility and detailed design work, including potential early works required to initiate the Mary Valley Mountain Bike Park – which could become a jewel in the crown of the Sunshine Coast’s mountain bike circuit and a long-term legacy tourism asset for the Mary Valley.
- Delivering funding for early works on stage 2 of the Mary Valley Rail Trail – subject to the outcomes of the Gympie Regional Council’s ongoing feasibility study for the project.
Providing support for Imbil township upgrades, working in partnership with the Gympie Regional Council and the local community to prioritise and deliver town enhancing projects.
Further community engagement through the draft Community Benefits Framework will identify even more opportunities to deliver benefits for the region, and will be open to community members for input until 26 April 2024.