MP Shane Knuth described budget as ‘lukewarm’ with little expenditure on any major revenue generating infrastructure projects in the North, and a number of funding projects rehashed. Unsurprisingly, the largest single expenditure of the State Budget was on the Cross River Rail project of $5billion for Brisbane. Knuth is in negotiations for further fund allocation.

“I believe it was a lukewarm budget, however there were some good wins for the electorate of Hill, we can see the start of the Atherton Hospital upgrade in 2018 with $9.5million of the $70million allocated – This has been pushed for more than 20 years,” Mr Knuth said.

 “Extra funding has been provided for midwifery services across the State and I’ve asked the Minister of Health to ensure that Atherton is allocated as a part of this funding – which the Atherton Midwives and Mothers Alliance (A-MAMA) has been lobbying for,” Mr Knuth said.

 “Among other great wins is the confirmation of the $4.7million for the Palmerston Hwy, and it was great to see Herberton School will have funds for painting, Walkamin State School will get further refurbishment on top of funding they received to upgrade their air-conditioning, Butchers Creek State School are wrapped they will be able to replace their playground roof, and we are hoping to see the upgrade of the Atherton Police Station start before the year is out.

 “It is also a win to see $612,970 to assist people under 65 and indigenous people under 50 with a disability, and a further $4.9million to assist people with a disability and their families to access support and services as they move through different stages of their lives,” Mr Knuth said.

 “I’m disappointed there wasn’t extra funding for navua sedge, but we are still having ongoing discussions with the Minister for Agriculture for further assistance,” Mr Knuth said.

 Wins for the Electorate of Hill:

– $4.7million for the Palmerston Highway
– $43.4million committed to widen the Bruce Highway between Cairns and Innisfail
– $2.4million to complete asphalt and resurfacing work from Ingham to Innisfail
– $711,000 to complete the upgrade of the intersection at Ash Street & Pine Street on the Bruce Highway, Innisfail
– $9.5million of $70 million for the Atherton Hospital redevelopment
– $900,000 of a total $1.8million on the El Arish Auxiliary Fire & Rescue Station
– $230,000 for a new Learning & Community Centre at Innisfail State College
– $250,000 for external painting on Herberton State School
– $75,000 refurbishment on Walkamin State School
– $50,000 refurbishment on Mundoo State School
– $70,000 to replace playground roof structure at Butchers Creek State School
– $5.6million towards combating Panama TR4 disease
– $100,000 of a total of $6.3million to upgrade the Atherton Police Station
– $68,000 of a total of $250,000 to combat Navua Sedge.
– $604,709 of a total $2.4million over 4 years to provide programs to increase the ability for individuals with disabilities to participate positively in the community
– $612,970 to assist people under 65 and indigenous people under 50 with a disability
– $4.9million to assist people with a disability and their families to access support and services as they move through different stages of their lives