Bundaberg and Burnett MPs have responded to comments from a Fraser Coast councillor who says plans for a new Bundaberg Hospital should be put on ice while the Fraser Coast gets its own healthcare needs addressed. Fraser Coast councillor David Lee said the Fraser Coast was better suited for a Level 5 hospital because of its projected population growth. Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said Cr Lee was dreaming , saying the ill-informed local government politician was simply trying to make a name for himself on the Fraser Coast . The people of Bundaberg are a hardworking and close-knit community that deserve a new hospital, Mr Smith said.
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Subscriber only Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has used his first day back in state parliament to bring Paradise Dam back into the limelight. The local member submitted a Question on Notice asking Water Minister Glen Butcher to commit to repairing, replacing, or restoring Paradise Dam to its full capacity as a matter of urgency. Mr Bennett said Burnett growers needed certainty. Sunwater s own forecasts predict Paradise Dam s capacity could be as critically low as 8 per cent by June 2021 without significant rainfall, he said. This will leave growers in the Burnett with no means of irrigating sugarcane, macadamias, mangoes and avocados and small crops.
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All creatures great and small were the big winners in the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Almost $200,000 has been spread around the Burnett region with Bundy Wildlife Rescue, the Bundaberg Bee Keepers Association and the Bundaberg and District Western Performance Horse Club sharing in the funds.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said the funding would go a very long way for the local groups.
“Animals with paws, claws, hoofs, fins, legs, wings, feathers and tails are all big winners in the latest GCBF round,” he said.
“Bundy Wildlife Rescue has been in desperate need of funds for some time but with a $15,000 grant coming their way, they’ll now be able to purchase a humidicrib and more vital equipment to help our injured animals get better sooner.
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Subscriber only Burnett MP Stephen Bennett is calling on young leaders to apply for Youth parliament to create real change in Queensland. Young people have the opportunity to rub shoulders with MPs and learn the inner workings of the government, but the deadline is looming. It s an opportunity for our youth to have their voices heard and to create real change in their community, he said. The program teaches you how the system works and I know the youth members also have a great time and make good friends along the way. I encourage any young people interested in how our democracy works to apply.
From fields of gold to safeguarding liquid gold, the tale of Paradise Dam is becoming a tragedy in the eyes of local MP Stephen Bennett. The member for Burnett has slammed the handling of Paradise Dam and made concerning predictions about the matter at a press conference by the river. Amid criticising the delay of works which was due in by the end of December 2020, to help inform the State Government in the decision of the preferred long-term option, the local member said the community had been misled. Sunwater maintains its actions regarding Paradise Dam have been about protecting both lives and livelihoods.