The funding for Barron River was announced today by Treasurer Andrew Fraser as part of the 2010 -11 State Budget.

"This is a responsible Budget that builds on the foundations for stronger economic recovery," Mr Fraser said.

"Our massive state-wide building program will deliver more jobs as we secure a stronger, more robust Queensland economy.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said $25 million has been allocated to establish dental clinic training facilities on the James Cook University Cairns and Townsville campuses as part of a wider $45 million project.

"The flow-on effect of an international and nationwide shortage of dentists is being felt here in Queensland, particularly in our regional areas," Mr Wettenhall said.

"Having more facilities in place to train more dentists is a key way for us to work towards reducing this shortfall and ensuring we have the capacity to cater for growing demand into the future.

"Providing this training in regional areas such as Cairns and Townsville will also be a vital way for our dental students to gain first-hand experience of practising in a regional area – this is essential in helping us to later attract and also retain dentists regionally."

Mr Wettenhall said funding would also be allocated towards the Cairns Cultural Precinct project that will help further strengthen the region as a tourism hub and create jobs.

"The State Budget delivers a $42.5 million contribution to this project – $2.5million for the detailed planning of the project and also $40 million worth of land," Mr Wettenhall said.

Mr Wettenhall said the Budget delivers on key projects and services for his electorate while maintaining the Bligh Government's commitment to create jobs.

"Some $2.12 million will go towards improving roads which will make road travel safer and more efficient," he said.

"A further $117,500 will be spent on bike paths including at the intersection of the Cairns Western Arterial Road and Captain Cook Highway.

"In this day and age of going green and sustainable living, we need to make it as safe as possible for people to ride their bikes instead of driving their cars."

Mr Wettenhall said two major school projects would also get a budget boost.

"$1 million will be spent planning stage 4 at Redlynch State College and Smithfield State High School will get $1.14 million in funding for a new science laboratory," he said.

Community Infrastructure

• $618,000 to progress the construction of an adventure based training facility for youth at risk, individuals and community organisations at the Northern Outlook, Cairns at a total cost of $5.97 million.
• $1.64 million to continue construction of the new Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre, Cairns at a total cost of $2.1 million.
• $709,000 toward the purchase of Bookstock for Public libraries.
• $835,000 to support Indigenous Knowledge Centres.
• $243,000 toward the purchase of Bookstock for Public libraries.
• $644,000 to Saint Johns Community Care Ltd through the Home Assist Secure program which aims to remove some of the practical housing-related difficulties experienced by older people and people with a disability who wish to remain living in their homes.
• $4.08 million to complete construction of eighteen, two-bedroom apartments in Palm Cove at a total project cost of $5.95 million.
• $4.35 million to complete construction of nineteen, two-bedroom apartments in Trinity Park at a total project cost of $5.86 million.
• $1.57 million to continue construction of 5 dwellings in Far North Queensland at a total cost of $3.03 million.
• $3,017,311 for Home and Community Care funding to The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Q.) through Blue Care through Blue Care Cairns Douglas for Allied Health Care; Centre Based Day Care; Domestic Assistance; Nursing Care; Personal Care; Respite Care; Social Support; Transport.
• $521,616 for Home and Community Care funding to St John's Community Care Limited through St John's Respite Services for Allied Health Care; Centre Based Day Care.
• $260,221 for Home and Community Care funding to Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Cairns through Marlin Coast Day Respite for Centre Based Day Care.
• $307,392 for Home and Community Care funding to Ngoonbi Cooperative Society Ltd through Ngoonbi Home and Community Care for Centre Based Day Care; Domestic Assistance; Home Maintenance; Social Support; Transport.

Community Safety

• $542,958 to Lifeline Community Care in Cairns to provide a Foster and Kinship Care service providing 88 places for children and young people with moderate to high needs in the Cairns and Edmonton Child Safety Service Centre catchment areas at a total cost of $816,668
• $191,741 to Alternate Care Pty Ltd in Cairns to provide an emergency response Residential Care service providing three places for young people aged 12-17 years with moderate to complex needs in the Cairns area for all the Child Safety Service Centres in the Far Northern Zone at a total cost of $191,741
• $840,000 to acquire land, and to design and document the construction of a residential care facility at a total cost of $2.19 million.
• $670,000 to assist remote Indigenous communities in Northern and Far Northern regions prepare for the impacts of extreme weather events which may result from climate change at a total cost of $2 million over three years, 2010-11 to 2012-13.

Transport and Roads

• $250,000 towards the replacement of a bridge on Redlynch Intake Road, Redlynch, with a total State Government contribution of $400,000.
• $940,000 for planning to widen to four lanes on Savannah Way Road at the Kuranda Range, 14km south of Kuranda, at a total cost of $9.54 Million.
• $100,000 for the provision of bicycle facilities on the Captain Cook Highway (Cairns - Mossman) at the Brinsmead - Kamerunga Road intersection, 12km north of Cairns, at a total cost of $380,000. Funded from the State Government's Safer Roads Sooner program.
• $500,000 for the installation of roadside and surface delineation, on the Captain Cook Highway (Cairns - Mossman) between Palm Cove and Craiglie, 59km north of Cairns, at a total cost of $2.5 Million. Funded from the State Government's Safer Roads Sooner program. Involves the electorates of Barron River and Cook.
• $438,000 for the installation of roadside and surface delineation on the Captain Cook Highway, between Cairns and Mossman, at a total cost of $1.84 Million. Involves the electorates of Cairns, Barron River and Cook.
• $17,500 towards the construction of bikeways at various locations in Cairns, with a total State Government contribution of $87,500. Involves the electorates of Mulgrave, Barron River and Cairns.

Health

•  Dental services will be boosted with $25 million in 2010–11 ($45 million over four years) to establish dental clinic training facilities on the James Cook University Cairns and Townsville campuses.

Education and Innovation

• $1 Million for the planning of stage 4 at Redlynch State College at a total cost of $1 Million.
• $1.14 Million for the science laboratory renewal at Smithfield State High School at a total cost of $1.27 Million.
• $8.2 million in 2010-11 to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for the Marine Park's Field Management Program. This funding forms part of an ongoing commitment to address the management of this unique environmental asset.
• $9.32 million towards extension of boardwalk & foreshore promenade to the south of cityport.
• $1.99 million towards design and construction of cruise facility terminal.
• $1.5 million towards marina reconfiguration & expansion (G Finger).
• $3 million towards construction of Maritime training college.
• $1.5 million towards development of a live seafood processing plant.
• $33,600 to assist Village Kids Clifton Beach Centre B to provide an approved kindergarten program for children in the year prior to Prep for 15 hours a week and at least 40 weeks a year at a total cost of $100,800.

ENDS