Exclusion of Redland City Local Government Area (LGA) from State Government regional grants

Eligibility - Queensland citizens
Principal Petitioner:
Karen Williams - Mayor Redland City
PO Box 21
CLEVELAND QLD 4163
Total Signatures - 303
Sponsoring Member: Ms Kim Richards MP
Posting Date: 9/3/2020
Closing Date: 30/4/2020
Tabled Date: 19/5/2020
Responded By: Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP on 15/6/2020
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House the current exclusion of the Redland City Local Government Area (LGA) from State Government regional grants. The Redland City LGA includes six residential islands that have significant connectivity and demographic challenges, including some islands that have more than double the State unemployment rate. These islands are also home to a significant population of aged residents and residents requiring support due to disability. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), shows the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and North Stradbroke Island are amongst some of the most disadvantaged areas in Queensland. Due to the previously mentioned connectivity challenges, delivering infrastructure on these islands costs up to a third more than in mainland communities, further illustrating the need for these communities to be supported through State Government regional grants. Despite these socio economic and geographic challenges the entire Redland City LGA is currently classified as part of metropolitan Brisbane under State Government funding opportunities including the popular Works for Queensland, which could help deliver much needed transport and social infrastructure for our islands.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to review and amend the eligibility for State Government regional funding to include all islands within the Redlands LGA in recognition of the regional changes faced by these communities.