2019 A YEAR OF WINS FOR THE PEOPLE OF PETRIE

From elections to announcements and everything in between Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth has celebrated a triumphant 2019 and is looking forward to an equally successful 2020.

After holding onto his marginal seat of Petrie at the Federal Election in May, Howarth was appointed to the position of Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services, but his commitment to his electorate remains strong.

As a vital part of the Morrison Government Mr Howarth said he’s proud to have been able to deliver for locals including securing funding for vital community projects, driving employment, delivering local infrastructure and giving more locals access to affordable health care.

“In the past year just some of my achievements include securing $100,000 for a new playground at Aspley East Kindy, $590,000 for a shade structure at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club, $550,000 for the Redcliffe Volunteer Coast Guard and $650,000 for the Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Club,” said Mr Howarth.

“Our Government continues to provide for local families and this year I’ve helped deliver half a million dollars for local organisations through the Stronger Communities Programme, Communities Environment Program and the Local Schools Community Fund to deliver various projects including shade sails, air-conditioning and solar panels to support our community.”

“I am passionate about supporting local employment and I hold regular Job Seeker Boot Camps to connect job seekers with employers. The most successful Boot Camp since 2014 was held in Deception Bay in October which attracted more than 120 job seekers.

“We’ve listed more and more medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which will make it more affordable for many in the electorate. And the MRI machine at Redcliffe Hospital, which we facilitated a licence for earlier this year, is scheduled to be operational by the end of next year.”

Mr Howarth said drought-hit communities and farmers in affected regions will get a significant boost from the Coalition Government’s $709 million drought relief package.

“Farmers in drought-affected regions will have access to loans of up to $2 million with no interest or repayments for the first two years,” Mr Howarth said.

“This will save farmers who refinance thousands of dollars and help them get back on their feet when the drought breaks.”

Highlights

• $1.6 million grant funding for Arethusa College
• $1.5 million secured for Deception Bay Little Athletics running track
• $120 million secured for Dohles Rocks Road on and off ramps, Griffin
• Griffin Pharmacy licence
• $4 million committed for Mango Hill Train station car park upgrade
• $1 million for North Lakes Blues Netball Club
• $263,000 for North Lakes Eels AFL Football Club
• $3 million for Mango Hill State School hall
• $100 million secured for Linkfield Road overpass
• $50 million committed for Beams Road upgrade (Lacey Road to Handford Road)
• $7.5 million for Bracken Ridge road upgrades (Hoyland Street and Norris Road)
• $800 million secured for Gateway Motorway upgrade (Bracken Ridge to Pine River)
• $100,000 for Aspley East Kindy
• $590,000 for Aspley Memorial Bowls Club
• $4 million committed for Klinger and Boardman Road upgrade
• $7 million for Dolphin Stadium upgrade
• $550,000 grant funding for Redcliffe Volunteer Coast Guard
• $650,000 grant funding for Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Club
• $450,000 for Redcliffe PCYC extension
• MRI licence for Redcliffe Hospital

Mr Howarth said despite his best efforts some of the local State Labor Members are still ignoring the needs and wants of the community.

“After door knocking the Griffin community I fought to secure $100 million for a major upgrade of the Dohles Rocks Road on and off ramps in Griffin, all we need now if the State Labor Government to put forward its commitment of $25 million so the work can begin.

“It’s disappointing that the Member for Murrumba and the Palaszczuk Government is dragging their feet on this, but no matter how much Labor tries to push this issue aside it’s my pledge to locals that I will continue to fight for this upgrade in 2020.”