The Qld Government has sweetened the pot for the Imbil community ahead of the commencement of the Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro Project, investing $5M to restore a GP in the town after their only clinic shut a year ago.
Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni made the announcement last Wednesday at Imbil, also committing additional funds towards the second stage of the Mary Valley Rail Trail and other projects.
Janelle Parker, President of the Mary Valley Chamber of Commerce said, “The loss of the area’s only GP clinic twelve months ago has had a huge impact, especially on older people and those without access to transport.
“The partnership between Queensland Hydro and CCQ (Country to Coast Qld primary health organisation) will bring significant benefits to the community.
“The re-establishment of GP services will give local residents the ability to receive critical health care without having to travel to Gympie,” she said.
The first wave of initiatives, to be supported by Queensland Hydro will include re-establishing GP services and undertaking an assessment of local health needs that will inform decisions around the need for future health services in the Imbil area.
Funding the feasibility and detailed design work, potential early works required to initiate the Mary Valley Mountain Bike Park and mountain bike circuit are also being considered to become a long-term legacy tourism asset for the Mary Valley.
They also plan on conditionally delivering funding for early works on stage two of the Mary Valley Rail Trail, subject to feasibility studies.
The draft Community Benefits Framework, released last Wednesday is hoped to identify more opportunities to deliver additional benefits and is open to community members for input until 26 April.
The final Queensland Hydro Community Benefit Framework is due for release in mid-2024 after feedback from the community is received.
