THE DUST has settled on the State Election and the results are in.
Both the sitting MP for the Whitsundays and the sitting MP for Burdekin have held onto their seats, with convincing margins.
Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm and Burdekin MP Dale Last are both keen to get to work as a newly formed LNP Government, having ousted the Queensland Labor Government.
With the LNP now in power, the fact that both the Whitsunday MP and Burdekin MP are both LNP should mean even greater representation for the Whitsundays in the State Parliament.
It also means they can meet their pre-election promises.
Leading up to the election, Amanda Camm MP said an LNP government would deliver a new boat ramp and carpark at Shute Harbour if elected, to ‘improve access and safety for the Whitsundays boating community and visitors’.
Ms Camm said the $10 million investment in infrastructure was exactly what the community needed.
“Better boat ramps and more carparks mean improved safety for those using Shute Bay,” she said.
“We will commit $10m to a four-lane, floating boat ramp with more than 130 trailable car parks.”
Ms Camm also announced a $75,000 major upgrade for the Proserpine Rugby League Club, if elected.
The clubhouse, at Les Stagg Oval, needs a new kitchen to help cater for the hundreds of players, families and supporters who use the popular community hub every weekend.
Ms Camm said the $75,000 commitment was part of the LNP’s focus on ‘working harder for Queenslanders’.
“The clubhouse is getting an upgrade and the LNP’s commitment of $75,000 will ensure that a fully functioning kitchen can be included from the outset,” she said.
There was also the promise of a $100,000 upgrade for the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, in Jubilee Pocket.
Ms Camm said the $100,000 upgrade would help the club install solar panels and would include improvements to the clubhouse ceiling to keep the well-used community facility looking its best.
“It is great to be able to support Airlie Beach Bowls Club, a community organisation that relies on the hard work of an aging volunteer base,” Ms Camm said.
“The clubhouse is a meeting point, not just for the bowling community but the whole community, so upgrades to the facility will be widely felt.”
Meanwhile, Dale Last MP – who has been the LNP Member for Burdekin since 2015 – said he was looking forward to ‘making all these election commitments happen’.
“To be in government is what we have been working towards for 10 years,” Mr Last said.
“It changes the whole agenda. Our ability to deliver on projects and infrastructure – it opens those doors.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in and start making all these election commitments happen.
“It’s a very exciting time to be in government.”
Projects that he is focused on in the Burdekin Electorate, which covers Bowen and Collinsville, include master planning of the Bowen Marina and the design and reconstruction of the Bowen Jetty.
‘The local community are very passionate about keeping the jetty,” he said.
“They are very excited about the new design and the difference it will make to the community.
“We have also made an announcement to upgrade the lighting at the Bowen Seagulls ground, so they can play at night – that will happen.
“And there’s $3.2 million for Burdekin netball for a full upgrade – new courts, new clubhouse – we can actually deliver these things.
“And in Collinsville, we’ve announced a brand new Men’s Shed – the members are very excited.
“They’re a passionate group of members and they will be able to expand their activities.”
Mr Last, who spent 25 years as a police officer before entering politics, said roads were ‘a hot topic right across the region’ and water supply was very important.
“We support the Bowen Pipeline project,” he said.
“It still needs one approval from state government, but it looks like it will move ahead.
“Being in government opens up so many opportunities.
“This water will service not only the Abbot Point industrial estate but also our agriculture and horticulture businesses.”
The LNP campaigned heavily on introducing new crime laws, if they were to form government.
“These new laws will be in place in the first 100 days,” Mr Last, who grew up in Bundaberg, said.
“We can expect to see significant changes in place, going forward. There’s so much in that crime policy.
“It is one of our big ticket issues we campaigned on.”
Mr Last held four portfolios as Shadow Minister including Police and Corrective Services, Emergency Management, Natural Resources and Rural and Regional Affairs.
He will find out this week what his new portfolio is.
“That’s a decision for our leader, what portfolio I receive,” he said.
