Premium Content Subscriber only Road funding and aged care announcements from the federal budget have been welcomed by a Central Queensland mayor, but much of this regionâs funding push will come in the lead-up to the upcoming election. While there havenât been many significant federal budget announcements for the Banana Shire, Mayor Nev Ferrier thinks there will be benefits to his region with the funding given to surrounding areas. He welcomed the funding for road upgrades in Central Queensland. âThereâs $400 million on the Bruce Highway, and a lot of thatâs going to be spent between Gladstone and Rockhampton, which is great,â Cr Ferrier said.