Scenic Rim Regional Council mayor Greg Christensen has summed up his take on the state budget by saying it’s a little bit underwhelming and leaves the region with some challenges.
Cr Christensen has told MyNewsFeed.com.au that from the Scenic Rim’s standpoint, the federal budget did a better job of planning for the long-term.
“I’m trying hard to get excited,” he said.
“I’m going to take a step back and say I really think the federal government did a great job with their budget in setting the tone for thinking to the longer term and focus on getting the right investment for the infrastructure that will strengthen the future, not just recover yesterday.
“I think that sets the challenge for what came out in the Queensland budget. I see a lot of re-announced money on small scale. The pieces that are coming our way really are things that were already in the pipeline. There’s still an opportunity for more conversation to get some of this infrastructure spend that will truly unlock new economic opportunities and new jobs opportunity and one of those examples is the Mt Lindesay Highway.”
Cr Christensen continued that the $10 million funding for the highway that was announced in the budget was already in the pipeline.
“I’ve been through all the (budget) papers and I haven’t found a lot that makes me over the moon,” he added.
“I think as a general focus, the balance is right as a four-year program to have a conversation about building stronger. I’m just concerned that the infrastructure focus is still looking a little bit at yesterday rather than tomorrow.”
