Stimulus program a boost

MORE than a million dollars worth of projects, that would still have been on the backburner had it not been for a federal government stimulus program, were celebrated yesterday.

At a ceremony to hail the completion of the projects, Bundaberg mayor Lorraine Pyefinch said the council was delighted to be told in 2008 that $1.158 million was to be allocated as part of the federal government’s financial stimulus program.

The projects had to be “shovel ready”, she said.

Cr Pyefinch cut a symbolic ribbon with Member for Flynn Chris Trevor in front of a display area that had been created with the stimulus money for the Denizens of the Deep, a collection of more than 70 wood carvings of coral and sea life by Bundaberg resident Arthur “Nobby” Clark.

“The 30 projects involve everything from signage around our region to hall and sporting facilities upgrades in many communities,” Cr Pyefinch said yesterday.