Three local councils will each receive $90,000 from the State Government for COVID-recovery programs, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, with Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton.
Wednesday, 17 November 2021
THREE Queensland border local government areas will share $180,000 in State Government funding to support their COVID-19 recovery, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today welcoming an extension of the NSW Partnership: Local Councils Program.
Mr Marshall said Gwydir, Inverell and Moree Plains Shire Councils would each receive $90,000 for health and economic recovery initiatives.
“Border communities will remember the pandemic not for the direct impact the virus had on their community but because of the isolation caused by repeated Queensland border closures,” Mr Marshall said.
“The State Government has recognised just how hard these economies have been hit and has provided this funding for COVID-19 related projects tailored to getting communities back on their feet.
“Council’s will set-out their projects in consultation with the State Government. Previously, councils have used funds for caseworkers, bilingual workers, offer mental health support, emergency meals, and small business assistance, particularly in tourism and hospitality.
“As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease and our vaccination rates increase, it’s paramount that we have the right support in place across our rural and border communities to ensure no one is left behind.”
Mr Marshall said the recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Inverell, Tingha and Moree had highlighted just how important it was that support continued for vulnerable communities.
“With Moree’s second dose vaccination rate at 82.3 percent and Inverell and Gwydir’s at 86 percent, the focus needs to now centre on areas of the community that are exhibiting vaccine hesitancy,” he said.
“Using this grant councils have the opportunity to deliver further communication strategies targeting specific demographics or provide free transport to vaccination hubs in the hope of getting these rates up.
“I thank Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock for this timely and welcome support.”