Funding to support Queensland suburbs to thrive

The Albanese Government is making Brisbane an even better place to live, today announcing over $11.7 million for 6 projects in the city and surrounding suburbs. 

The Thriving Suburbs Program is designed to build better cities and more liveable suburbs, targeting projects – such as sporting and cultural hubs, libraries and parks – that increase community cohesion, liveability and accessibility. 

With no competitive, urban community infrastructure program under the former Government, we know Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade their essential local assets.

That’s why the Albanese Labor Government established Thriving Suburbs – to help fund the backlog of community infrastructure projects putting a strain on local governments. 

We’re investing over $1.4 million into the Graceville Riverside Parkland in Graceville to revitalise the park’s existing infrastructure, providing a tranquil space for the community to gather less than half an hour from the CBD. 

It will transform the area with activated open green space, a children’s nature-play area, picnic facilities, and river bank and fauna habitat stabilisation with widened land intersecting with Oxley Creek and Brisbane River.

 Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King visited the parkland today to announce the funding. 

Other projects receiving funding in greater Brisbane include over $2.2 million for a new Village Green in the heart of Samford Parklands, right next to the community centre. 

With a large lawn for big gatherings, BBQ and picnic facilities, play equipment for children and landscaped gardens with shade trees, it’ll be the perfect meeting point for visitors and locals alike. 

Over $2.4 million will also go towards the Talobilla Park Softball Clubhouse in Kippa-Ring for a new fit-for-purpose and accessible softball clubhouse, as well as over $3.6 million for a health and wellness Gateway centre in Toogoolawah, $500,000 for upgrading and expanding The Family Place in Woodridge, and over $1.3 million for walking trails at Esk’s Mount Glen Rock. 

These investments will transform these local communities, connect communities, enrich quality of life at a local level, and enhance social inclusion. 

Thriving Suburbs is an open and competitive program, with funding awarded on a merit basis, supported by a two-stage assessment process. 

This is yet another demonstration of the Albanese Government’s commitment to delivering a suburban funding program focused on integrity, transparency, accountability and collaboration. 

For more information, including a full list of successful projects in the state, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities/thriving-suburbs-program. 

Quote attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King: 

“Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets after being deprived of a competitive, urban community infrastructure program under the former Government. 

“We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem – to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs. 

“Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies – and they’re becoming increasingly important.” 

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Moreton Graham Perrett: 

“Today’s announcement is a demonstration of how our Government recognises the importance of elevating urban areas, because that is where most Australians live. 

“I’m thrilled to see this funding flowing to a range of local priorities, such as the long called-for Graceville Riverside Parkland, to take them off the drawing board and make them a reality. 

“This project will create a sanctuary less than half an hour from the bustling city, transforming our beautiful parkland by the river with amenities for all to enjoy.”