Questions to

Mr. Peter Slipper
Federal Member for Fisher, Federal Government.

Could you answer a few questions in respect to specific benefits you have gained
for the hinterland area of the Fisher electorate during this period of representation?

(Sent  14.09.07)

Q. With a Federal Election quickly coming upon us could you please advise what benefits that you specifically gained for residents of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland during this past period and how those benefits help the average resident of the area?

 

A. The single most important achievement of the Australian Government for the people of the Hinterland has been the maintaining of a strong economy, which benefits all Australians in almost every aspect of their lives.   The strong economy has helped to bring about the record low unemployment we current enjoy, good wages growth in real terms, reductions in income tax, and has helped keep mortgage rates lower than at any time under the previous Labor Government.    It has also ensured that ongoing initiatives such as Australia’s strong welfare system continue to bring support to shoes in the community that need it most.

 

While this list is not exhaustive, specific funds for the Hinterland that I have assisted to achieve include:

In March 2006, I announced funds from the “Community Water Grants” programme for the following Hinterland groups:

 

• The Mary River Catchment Association - $45,380 for rehabilitation of the riparian zone of Kilcoy Creek;
• Montville State School - $29,836 for new tanks that will store rainwater which will be treated and then used for drinking (estimated water saving of 75,000 litres annually); and,
• Mooloolah River Waterwatch - $50,000 for fencing off sections of Mooloolah River to cattle and then revegetating the damaged riverbank (estimated water saving of 10,000 litres annually).

In May 2006, grants were allocated from the “Investing in Our Schools Programme” to assist local educational institutions:

• $116,183 for Maleny State High School for covered walkways and wheelchair access, science laboratory refurbishment, and music instruments and resources; and,
• $75,000 for the Ananda Marga River School, Maleny; for computers, printers, a projector, musical instruments and play equipment.

 

In July 2006, I announced $1500 in funding from the “Healthy School Communities Programme” to each of the following Hinterland schools:

• Conondale State School: To assist the school to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables for healthy snacks during after school hours activities;
• Eudlo State School: To fund visits by nutritionists as guest speakers to discuss healthy eating with students and parents and also to purchase healthy eating resources;
• Mooloolah State School: In partnership with another local organisation, the school purchased healthy eating resources for curriculum based activities and equipment for the production and safe storage of healthy foods by the canteen.  

 

In August 2006, I was pleased to announce that the Maleny RSL sub-branch received $1400 from the “Saluting Their Service” programme for a memorial service and dinner for the 40^th anniversary commemoration of Battle of Long Tan. 

 

In October 2006, four local projects received funding from the Australian Government’s “Envirofund”. These are:

• Ms Rowena Cavanaugh, Montville: $24,133.00 for weed removal in the Obi Obi catchment and revegetation with 7500 native trees;
• Dr Francis Guard, Maleny: $8629.00 to plant 1000 rainforest trees and shrubs to create a vegetation buffer for a nature reserve;
• Mooloolah Parents and Citizens: $8813.64 for removal of weed infestation along Mooloolah River and revegetation;
• Mooloolah Riverwatch and Landcare, Mooloolah Valley: $19,022.25 for riverbank stabilisation by planting 4200 native trees and constructing a fence to prevent stock access.

 

In Novermber 2006, I announced “Volunteer Small Equipment Grants” that assist local community groups for the following:

• Ananda Marga River School P&F Association, Maleny; $2008 for a trailer, knife set, tools, wheelbarrows;
• Maleny RSL Sub-branch, Maleny; $2352 for blower cleaner, chainsaw, high pressure cleaner, table, whippers snipper;
• Glenview State School P&C, Glenview; $1776 for First Aid Kit, Fridge, outdoor table and benches, stereo/CD player, urn; 
• Mooloolah Public Hall Association, Mooloolah; $1340 for ladder, table, vacuum cleaner; and,
• Mooloolah Valley Community Association, Mooloolah; $2727 for ride-on mower.

 

In December 2006, I announced funds from the “Investing in Our Schools Programme” to the following local schools:

 

• Conondale State School; $137,619 for shade structures, classroom furniture and Information Communication Technology and computer equipment;

• Maleny State High School; $33,817 for the canteen;

• Maleny State School; $130,104 for a new toilet block and shade structures;

• Glenview State School; $66,053 for Information Communication Technology and computer equipment;

• Montville State School; $120,182 for play equipment;

 

In December 2006, “Community Water Grants” were announced for several local organisations, including:

• Barung Landcare Association, Maleny: $48,985 for replanting riparian zones and fencing to exclude stock and protect vegetation;

• Caloundra City Council: $48,000 for the installation of a water treatment system at Mary Cairncross Park that will recycle rainwater, grey water and black water, for use in the toilet cisterns and for irrigating the gardens (water saving 3,640,000 litres annually);

• Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group, Maleny: $49,575 for the installation of slow flow devices, dual flush toilets and water tanks at a local school (water saving of 1,389,750 litres annually);

 

In March 207, funds were announced by me from the “Volunteer Small Equipment Grants” programme for the following Hinterland groups: 

• Maleny Arts Council: $1042.80 for toner and photocopier;

• Maleny Amateur Drama Group: $2445.00 for portable stage modules;

• Maleny Anglican Parish: $2501.00 for computer and software;

• Maleny Kids Club: $2793.07 for digital camera, computer and operating software, software, multi-function printer/scanner, and public address system;

• Maleny Bowls Club: $2396.34 for computer and software, dishwasher, and kitchen utensils;

• TS Centaur Support Group, Maleny: $1210.00 for a multi-purpose printer/fax/scanner;

• Lions Club, Maleny: $2424.40 for aprons, a barbecue and barbecue tools;

• Sunshine Coast Motorcycle Club, Mooloolah: $2871 for a portable marquee.

•  Mooloolah Horse and Pony Club: $2970 for a laptop computer and software; 

 

In July 2007, I was pleased to announce funding for Hinterland schools from Round 1 of the “National School Chaplaincy Programme” to the following:

• Maleny State School ($60,000);

• Conondale State School ($60,000);

• Eudlo State School ($30,000); and,

• Glenview State School ($60,000).

 

In August 2007, I announced funds locally from the “Volunteer Small Equipment Grant” programme for the following community groups:

• Maleny Swimming Club: $1450 for computer laptop and software;

• Booroobin Bushcare: $1880 for portable display boar, portable sunshade, folding table;

• Lake Baroon Catchment Care (Maleny):$1136 for computer software and overhead projector;

• Maleny State Primary School P&C: $2905 for computer and software, chairs, workstation and microwave oven;

• Glenview/Mooloolah Tennis Club: $2109 for gardening equipment, and a mower; and,

• Friends of Bankfoot House (Glasshouse Mountains): $2767 for computer and software, fridge, gardening tools, ladder, and household tools; 

 

In August 2007, the Australian Government distributed funding locally in the “Investing in Our Schools Programme” to:

• Mooloolah State School: $57,598 for shade structures, information communications technology and computer equipment, furniture and administration office equipment.

• Glenview State School: $33,947 for computers and information communications technology;

 

In September 2007, funds were allocated to several businesses in Fisher from the “Export Market Development Grants” programme over the past year, including:

• Mukti Botanicals, of Maleny, $7791 for cosmetic and toiletry preparation manufacturing;

 

Earlier this month, I announced funds from the Australian Government “Envirofund” for the Mary Cairncross Association, Maleny: $4136.36 to host 10 biodiversity education workshops.

 

Also, the Maleny Film Society will receive a grant of $8400 from the Festivals Australia Regional Residencies programme to support the production of several local historical films that will be entered in the 2009 Australian Film Festival.

 

EnviroHomes, of Maleny, will receive $64,000 from the Commercial Ready and Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) programme to develop computer software that helps correlate environmentally-friendly elements into house design and also develop an air conditioning system that can both heat and cool using minimal amounts of energy.

 

In addition, a number of Australian Government funding announcements for the region will also assist Hinterland residents.

 

These include funding from the “Home and Community Care programme”, which assists the frail and elderly to remain in their homes longer in comfortable surroundings, rather than move into aged care facilities; some $40m in funding for the University of the Sunshine Coast which assists students from the entire region including the Hinterland to gain a tertiary education locally – this includes a massive increase of 243 extra student numbers for 2007 and an additional increase to 643 places by 2010; black spot funding and roads to recovery funds in various locations in Fisher to improve local roads and make them safer for all motorists; numerous local Work for the Dole projects; and more.

 

In addition, programmes such as ScSCILS have established three initiatives to guide and support youth to make a successful transition from senior schooling to further education, training or work; and the booklet “Sunshine Coast Safelink”, which was funded by the Australian Government, helps to advise security and recreation facilities for local seniors.

 

The well-supported initiative, the “Do Not Call” register, is another practical programme that helps Hinterland residents to maintain privacy in their own homes.

Q. Are there any specific projects that you still have in mind for the same residents that would be gained should you be re-elected for another period?

 

A. I will continue to work alongside local organisations and the Caloundra City Council to push for funding for those Hinterland projects that are a priority for the local community.

 

I have given strong support to projects such as the Maleny Community Centre refurbishment and I am also currently lobbying for funds for a viewing platform for the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Maleny, to provide views to the National Heritage Landscape listed Glasshouse Mountains, a project valued at some $600,000.

 

I hope to also secure further funding to improve the Bruce Highway, between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

 

In order to achieve positive outcomes for local projects, it is important that strong relationship is maintained between community groups, Caloundra Council and me as your local Federal Member for Fisher.    This is an effective and practical measure that has been successful in getting good results in the past and one I will continue to adhere to.

Mr. Peter Slipper
Federal Member for Fisher

Maroochydore Office:

Location:  The Dolphin Centre
118 Aerodrome Road
Maroochydore BC Qld 4558

Peter.Slipper.MP@aph.gov.au
Phone  07 5443 3555.
Fax: (07) 5443 7270.