THE LNP has been accused of running soft on funding for the transition from sand mining on North Stradbroke Island.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said he was surprised the LNP had committed only $10 million to Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
This was in contrast to its calls over the past two years for an extra $50 million in funding.
Mr Costello said it was not clear what had happened to the other $40 million.
“I think the LNP needs to clear this up,” Mr Costello said. “This is a significant policy reversal.”
Last year LNP Oodgeroo candidate Mark Robinson attacked the state government over its $21 million transition strategy, saying this was a paltry sum.
Mr Robinson argued for a major upgrade of Dunwich Harbour as part of the economic transition strategy.
“Today I am calling on the government to consider a $50 million development of Dunwich Harbour into a world-class toursim and ferry hub and to provide to the parliamentary committee all information and costs so that the committee can make an informed recommendation to the Parliament in its report,” he said.
“The bottom line is that without the development of Dunwich Harbour, the government’s ETS will achieve very little.”
Mr Robinson said without the harbour upgrade, the island was doomed.
Mr Robinson said today the LNP would provide an additional $10 million to the economic transition strategy for the island.
This took the total to $30 million under the LNP.
He said the Labor government had prematurely closed down mining by 2019.
The result would be about 150 job losses and uncertainty among workers and residents about their futures.
Mr Robinson said the $10 million announced today when added to $20 million previously committed would include job-creating projects, like an upgrade at Dunwich.
“I now challenge the Palaszczuk government ... to match the LNPs commitment to bring their level up to $30 million,” he said.
“I agree with Mayor Karen Williams that further investment beyond $30 million is needed over the next 10 years or more.”
Redland City mayor Karen Williams has said $110 million is needed for the island’s transition.
