KABOOM! $5 million Federal Government funding plus $5.725 Qld State Government funding
equals a new state of the art Proserpine Entertainment Centre.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox was beaming after today’s announcement
that the Palaszczuk Government extended its recovery commitment to the Whitsunday community
with another $5.225 million to help rebuild Proserpine Entertainment Centre.
“This funding is hot on the heels of the $5 million announced by Member for Dawson George
Christensen on Tuesday, so it has been a ripper couple of days for the Proserpine community,” he
said.
“In a perfect world this is how tiers of government should operate, all working together to deliver
the best outcomes for our residents.
“We have been working behind the scenes on concept design and an architect has now been
appointed and it is full speed ahead for detailed design before going out to tender with construction
expected to start later this year.
“The current building will be demolished and the new state of the art PEC will be constructed on
the current site in Proserpine.
“During my term as Mayor this Council has worked hard to advocate and deliver external Federal
and State funding to our region,” Mayor Willcox said.
“Since Cyclone Debbie hit two years ago we have secured over $135million in external grants and
funding including the $23m Shute Harbour Restoration, $6.3m for Airlie Beach Foreshore
Revitalisation, $5m for Greening and Growing Bowen, $60m for regional roads, $15m Whitsunday
Coast Airport upgrade, $10m Prossie Disaster Centre and Administration building and $5m for the
Beautiful Bowen project.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 3 Councillor John Collins said it had been impossible to wipe the smile
off his face since Tuesday.
“As Big Kev always said, “I’m excited”.
“All the hard work and lobbying by Mayor Willcox and myself has finally paid off as over the last
year we have escorted and shown several Members of both Federal and State Parliament as well
as Senators through the facility.
“The Proserpine community have been doing it pretty tough since the cyclone two years ago and
this funding will certainly help lift a lot of people’s spirits.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today’s $5.225m PEC funding was in addition to
the $500,000 announced in May last year for the centre, which was closed after sustaining
extensive damage during the Category 4 cyclone.
“A revitalised entertainment centre in Proserpine will bring economic, social, and cultural benefits
to the whole of the Whitsundays,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Whitsunday Regional Council identified the rebuilding of Proserpine Entertainment Centre as a
priority project that would assist the region’s ongoing recovery, and my government has listened
and is delivering for the community.”
PO Box 104 Proserpine Qld 4800 P: 07 4945 0200 F: 07 4945 0222 E: info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au W: www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au ABN 63 291 580 128
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 28 MARCH, 2019
File Ref: CN/12/004
“This funding will go a long way to rebuilding the centre and will ensure Council can complete
demolition of the old building and rebuild a bigger, better and more resilient Proserpine
Entertainment Centre.”
The new centre will boast conference facilities, a larger auditorium, with state-of-the-art
audio/visual equipment, and importantly, it will comply with all modern safety and building codes,
making it more resilient to future natural disasters.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said
infrastructure projects like this were an important part of restoring community life following natural
disasters.
“The Palaszczuk Government is standing by its commitment to help those impacted by Cyclone
Debbie recover and be better prepared for disasters in the future,” Mr Dick said.
“Investment in projects such as this increases employment, improves the resilience of our regions,
and has a positive impact on local economies and the overall health, safety and wellbeing of the
community.”
Source: Whitsunday Regional Council.
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