Almost $100,000 will be injected into the Cooloola Coast sporting and community groups under an LNP Government.
Member for Gympie, Tony Perrett, said that the funds will be used to improve safety for locals and visitors to the region, upgrade facilities, and provide equipment, tools, and vehicles.
“Safety is at the forefront of these grants through equipping an organisation which protect locals and visitors to our beaches, improving safety at a local sporting site, and providing lifesaving equipment,” Mr Perrett said.
“The Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving club will receive $60,000 for a dual cab 4 x 4 ute, side by side vehicle and wall mounted toolbox for the boat shed.
“The club of almost 230 members carries a range of equipment including boats, IRBs, bikes, trailers, 4WD, radio equipment and facilities for helipad to undertake their life saving services.
“Rainbow Beach is the premier tourist destination in this region.
“As the gateway to Fraser Island its 100% tourist-based economy depends on a thriving drive tourist market.
“It relies on a reputation as a desirable destination as a family friendly, cheap, holiday destination for adventure-based tourism, campers, and beach enthusiasts.
“The Surf Club is pivotal in ensuring that locals and visitors to the region are reassured that the region will continue to maintain its record for safe, fun, family- friendly holidays.
“In the last year the Surf Club completed 3,643 patrolling hours looking after 11,003 swimmers and 22,333 beach goers, undertaken more than 1,200 total preventative actions, and 216 first aid attendances.
“This equipment will assist the immense efforts put in by its volunteers and contributes to safe and enjoyable beach activities for many locals and visitors to the region.
“Tin Can Bay Men’s Shed will receive $20,000 towards fans and aerial power cords to various machines, a wood thicknesser, bandsaw, and two new lathes.
“The Men’s Shed which was officially opened this year is a great place for locals to meet and work on projects at their own pace, in their own time, and in the company of other men.
“It has become a vital community organisation which can provide company, and an opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills.
“It is a powerful tool in addressing men’s health and wellbeing and helping them feel that they are valued and productive members of our community.
“The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, Tin Can Bay, will receive $10,000 for new gates and fences to improve safety.
“I have been advised this has been on the Branch’s wish list for some time but due to the mostly elderly members and the cost, they have had not have the manpower to complete this project.
“The Tin Can Bay Fishing Club will receive $8,000 for a defibrillator and install automatic water saving garden watering system.
“With more and more people remaining active at an older age, early access to a defibrillator could mean the difference between life and death in the event of a cardiac arrest.
“Over the 17-year reporting period form 2000-2016 the Queensland Ambulance Service attended 69,338 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
“The largest growth rate in the in incidences was in regional areas and remote locations showing the importance of delivering time critical services.
“Medical experts say the first eight minutes following a cardiac arrest are critical and that early access to CPR and a defibrillator is essential to increasing a patient’s likelihood of survival.
“That’s why it’s crucial that we can respond to these life-threatening emergencies and that facilities are equipped to respond to life-threatening situations.”
“These volunteer and community groups play a big part in the Cooloola Coast community.
“Under an LNP government we are committed to providing the grassroots infrastructure that will allow these groups to thrive,” he said.