Minister pledges $4m to town hive

CHRIS FOLEY was hoping Annastacia Palaszczuk would “open up her chequebook” when she visited the Fraser Coast last week.

Well, the Maryborough MP certainly got what he wished for.

Ms Palaszczuk went all out, announcing $4 million would be spent renovating six new properties across the Wide Bay that 28 Fraser Coast residents with a disability would soon call home.

The disability services minister also inspected Maryborough’s “Town Hive” centre to which the State Government had recently committed more than $80,000.

Ms Palaszczuk said the new properties in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg would be great news to people with a disability living in the Wide Bay.

“The six new properties will significantly increase the amount of suitable, affordable and sustainable accommodation for people with a disability in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay,” she said.

“The houses are in fantastic settings and I am confident they will make a very positive difference in the lives of the individuals who will soon call them home.”

A further one-off funding of $180,000 would help the service providers – Bay Support Services, Hervey Bay Community Access, Endeavour Bundaberg and Cerebral Palsy League Queensland – cover transition and relocation costs of the residents.

Ms Palaszczuk said she was pleased to see Maryborough’s Town Hive reaching a new level of independence.

“The Town Hive centre gives people with a disability opportunities that many of us take for granted,” she said.

“It offers activities for up to 30 people everyday.”

She also met with members of Maryborough’s autism support group, Meals on Wheels Maryborough, Fraser Coast TESS and Maisie Kaufman Learning Centre at Chris Foley’s office.

The groups were expected to liaise further with Ms Palaszczuk in an attempt to secure extra funding.

‘I am confident they will make a very positive difference in the lives of the individuals who will soon call them home’