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Member for Redlands, Kim Richards, has announced over $137,000 in non-state school capital assistance funding for the YMCA Vocational School at Victoria Point.

Ms Richards said that the latest funding round was part of the capital grants program for eligible non-state schools – valued at $100 million for the 2019-20 financial year. 
“The YMCA Vocational School will receive $137,818 to assist with infrastructure charges around administration, specialist facilities, multi-purpose hall and amenities.
   
“I know this funding will significantly ease the external infrastructure costs associated with capital works projects.

“Schools typically use the capital assistance funding for a wide range of important works such as new buildings including specialist classrooms, libraries, canteens and sports courts,” she said.

“Funds can also be used for refurbishing or converting existing facilities, improvements to schools ground including pick-up and set-down areas, covered walkways and landscaping” Ms Richards said.

Ms Richards said that the Palaszczuk Government worked co-operatively with the non-state sector to ensure all Queensland students have access to a quality education with the best possible school facilities.

“Capital grant funds are made available on the recommendations of the two non-state schooling sector Capital Assistance Authorities – the Queensland Catholic Capital Assistance Authority and the Queensland Independent Schools Block Grant Authority.

“Since 2015, we’ve provided the non-state school sector with around half a billion dollars for capital assistance grants distributed by the independent Capital Assistance Authorities.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to support our Catholic and Independent education partners to deliver new infrastructure where and when it’s needed most,” she said.

A blight on Cairns’ pristine waterways has been targeted for removal as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing war on wrecks.

The government has partnered with local company Carpentria Contracting to remove former commercial fishing vessel Warunda, which has been a headache for boats trying to navigate the Trinity Inlet for more than a decade.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said a crew of eight would next week begin removing the 32m steel wreck with the complicated operation expected to take several weeks.

“A barge is already positioned beside the Warunda and they expect to start be cutting up the hull from early next week,” Mr Healy said.

“At a time when jobs have never been more important, not only will this make it safer for boats to travel through the inlet, it’ll also create $100,000 in flow-on business for local contractors.

“It’s great to see local marine businesses securing contracts to remove the vessels, because they in turn use local equipment hire for bobcats and other machinery, while local scrapyards reap the benefits of dismantling the boats.

Mr Healy said despite authorities placing an isolated danger marker buoy on the site to ensure boaties could clearly see the vessel's location, there had been several reports of inattentive skippers being involved in minor collisions, plus instances of vandalism and components being stolen from the Warunda throughout the years.

"When the contractors have removed all the pieces from Trinity Inlet, they’ll be making sure it’s properly disposed of to prevent any further risk of environmental damage and that the site is rehabilitated.

Mr Healy said the task to clean up the Warunda comes as the Palaszczuk Government nears completion on its $127 million shipping development project at the port.

“When our marine and tourism industries thrive, our city thrives. From wreck removals to major investments in these industries, we’re making sure that Cairns will be at the forefront on Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery.”

War on Wrecks Chair Kim Richards said the War on Wrecks program had removed 304 derelict and abandoned vessels from waters in the state's far north down to the New South Wales border.

“This year alone 144 vessels have been removed across Queensland,” Ms Richards said.

“We have an ongoing responsibility to clean up our marine environment and now we have an equally important mission to keep people in jobs at a time when they're most needed.

“This government committed $20 million over four years from 2018 to remove derelict and illegally dumped vessels from Queensland waterways and we are making tremendous progress on that mission.

“Local marine businesses can expect to see more work coming their way as the war on wrecks program continues to reduce a list of about 184 wrecks and vessels of concern.”

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell reminded vessel owners it is their responsibility to maintain their vessels to the necessary standard, or appropriately dispose of them, so they do not become hazards to the environment or safe navigation.

"Where they fail to do so, Maritime Safety Queensland will step in to have the vessel removed to keep our waterways safe and clean,” Mr Mitchell said.

"Where we think it is appropriate, we will also use our regulatory powers to seek cost recovery though the courts."

ENDS

TWO police boats - already used for search and rescue operations - were officially commissioned today by Police Minister Mark Ryan and police commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Following sea trials, crew training, and a fit out, the two vessels are operating out of Redland Bay.

A 20 metre multiple vehicle high speed barge has been commissioned as the Stewart Kerlin, after Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin who was killed on duty in 2006.

The second is a 10 metre rigid inflatable monohull, the Sondra Lena, named after Constable Sondra Lena who was killed on duty in 1992.
It will be used by water police for their patrol vessel. Both will operate out of Redland Bay.

Commissioner Carroll said the water police group worked out of southern Moreton Bay and specifically supported police on Russell, Macleay, North Stradbroke, Coochiedmudlo, Karragarra and Lamb Islands.

"These two vessels pay homage to Constable Lena and Detective Sergeant Kerlin and allow the service to maintain their memory and recognise their service and their sacrifice," she said.

"Not only do the vessels serve as a lasting memory of the officers, but they also assist Water Police officers by providing them with the up-to-date and advanced technical support they require to service the community."

Mr Ryan said the day was special for police, family, and friends.

"...It was an honour to be a part of the ceremony and I look forward to seeing these vessels continue to be used for the benefit of all," he said.

Redlands MP Kim Richards said the ceremony was confirmation of the commitment made to those who put their lives at risk for the sake of their fellow Queenslanders.

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The Palaszczuk Government announced $23,845 for Redland City Council to present First 5 Forever early literacy programs.

Member for Redlands, Kim Richards said the grant will support positive outcomes for local families.

“Redland City Council will develop Jandai Language Literacy kits containing information about First 5 Foreer, along with Sandra Delaney’s children’s book Whale Dreaming: Bibunla Yalingbila,” Ms Richards said.

Member for Capalaba, Don Brown said the First 5 Forever programs were important to the community.

“The First 5 Forever program recognises the importance of literacy and language development in the first five years of a child’s life and provides families with information, resources and support to encourage them to talk, read, sing and play with children from birth,” he said.

Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch said councils will share in $347,465 in grants as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $20 million commitment to deliver the First 5 Forever program.

“First 5 Forever Innovation Grants totalling $284,465 will go to 18 councils for innovative and flexible projects delivered through their local libraries that support the development of language and literacy skills in babies and young children,” Ms Enoch said.

“An additional $63,000 will be distributed among five councils this year to support Community Literacy Champions to raise local awareness of the importance of early literacy and encourage families of children aged 0-5 to connect with library services.”

“Since launching in 2015, First 5 Forever activities have attracted more than 2.5 million attendances in public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across the state, contributing to the Queensland Government objective to give all our children a great start.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams thanked the State Government for its funding and said she looked forward to seeing Jandai language introduced into the First 5 Forever program through Redland Libraries.

“Helping children engage with Quandamooka culture is something we encourage on Redlands Coast; and this is great news for local families, who will have even more reasons to connect with the free resources and support offered through First 5 Forever,” she said.

State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer Vicki McDonald said the latest grant round demonstrated how councils were continuing to deliver innovative library services to their communities.

“It’s these creative approaches which help libraries ensure all families are welcome and receive free, inclusive support,” Ms McDonald said.

“State Library congratulates all grant recipients and is proud to work in partnership with more than 320 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland to advance early literacy and build a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.”   

Read more about First 5 Forever and tips for making learning fun or contact your local public library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre to find out more about their programs.

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The Palaszczuk Government’s War on Wrecks has made more gains on the Brisbane River.

War on Wrecks Taskforce Chair and Member for Redlands Kim Richards said the 12-metre, ex-fishing trawler Syrena was pulled out of Breakfast Creek last weekend.

“The wreck had been on Maritime Safety Queensland's radar since it first sank in late 2016,” Ms Richards said.

"After being re-floated, it sank again in January 2018 and has since been secured to council moorings in Breakfast Creek where it remained aground.

"With mud accumulating throughout the hull, it became an eyesore and an environmental hazard and had to go.”

Ms Richards said the wreck was re-floated and lifted by crane to a truck that was expected to deliver it to a wooden boat enthusiast with plans to restore it.

"Pulling the Syrena out of the water was a two-week project managed by Simon Paroz & Co Boatbuilders and supported six jobs,” she said.

“The War on Wrecks greatest success has been enlisting Queensland businesses to create local jobs while they help us clean up the state’s waterways.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the War on Wrecks program had removed 304 derelict and abandoned vessels from waters in the state's far north down to the New South Wales border.

“This year alone 144 vessels have been removed across Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.

"We have an ongoing responsibility to clean up our marine environment and now we have an equally important mission to keep people in jobs at a time when they're most needed.

"This government committed $20 million over four years from 2018 to remove derelict and illegally dumped vessels from Queensland waterways and we are making tremendous progress on that mission.

“This is a program that goes beyond just removing derelict ships and boats.

“Local marine businesses are securing contracts to remove the vessels, they in turn use local equipment hire for bobcats and other machinery, while local scrapyards reap the benefits of dismantling the boats.

"Local marine businesses can expect to see more work coming their way as the war on wrecks program continues to reduce a list of about 184 wrecks and vessels of concern."

ENDS

REDLANDS Rugby League Club are hoping a major redevelopment project will set them on the path to Brisbane's top flight competition.