TRANSCRIPT: Rockhampton Press Conference, 14 August 2019
E&OE
With: The Hon. Michelle Landry MP, Assistant Minister for Children and Families and Mayor Margaret Strelow, Mayor of Rockhampton.
Subjects: Rockhampton Art Gallery; Queensland infrastructure projects
MICHELLE LANDRY:
We’re here today to show the Deputy Prime Minister what’s happening with the art gallery. The Federal Government put $10 million towards with the Building Better Regions Fund. And this is going to be simply amazing for Rockhampton and Central Queensland. I tell the story, as a young girl, my parents had a shop – Lucky Daniels Casket Agency – up the road in Williams Street, and I used to wander these streets a lot. Back in those days, you know, the centre of town was absolutely buzzing with people. And this is going to happen again. This is going to be simply fantastic for Rockhampton with the Riverbank Precinct. I am just really looking forward to what's going to happen with this art gallery, and to be able to display the artworks that this town owns will be amazing. It will be a tourist attraction for people right across this nation and overseas I believe. So, well done to council. The plans look simply incredible. And I was very pleased that we could put $10 million towards this worthy project.
I’ll now hand over to the Deputy Prime Minister.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
And you can forgive me, I've got a few lumps and bumps have been taken off my face. We all should take care of cancer, particularly in the hot Queensland sun and, you know, when you get to my age and you start looking a bit ragged, Michelle, you …
[Laughter]
… not that you’re anywhere near my age …
MICHELLE LANDRY:
[Talks over] I think he’s [indistinct].
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
… you need to make sure you take care of your face. And Rockhampton, indeed, is taking care of its output too. Its- how it looks, its facade. It's going to knock down a few buildings, just like I've knocked a few lumps and bumps off my face. And just behind us are the buildings that are going to be replaced, are going to be knocked down, and Michelle and I are very much looking forward to it. Normally we're building things together.
MICHELLE LANDRY:
[Talks over] We are, we are.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
And today we're going to be knocking down things together. So we're going to take the sledgehammer to the buildings which need replacing. We're going to take the sledgehammer to these buildings and get to work on this wonderful new art precinct, on this wonderful new art gallery. Margaret Strelow is very, very proud as Mayor, as is her council, as is her community, of the artworks that they cannot put on display at the moment, nationally significant artworks from Sidney Nolan and others which should be on display. What we're going to build here is a $30 million plus art precinct which is going to draw aficionados, going to draw visitors, going to draw people of a curious nature from all over Australia, indeed from all over the world, and I've been told that visitor numbers are going to increase from 40-odd thousand to 90,000 each and every year. People are going to flock to see the artworks on display at this state-of-the-art regional gallery. It's going to be equal to any regional gallery in all of Australia. It’s going to be the largest in Queensland. It's going to be right up there with Bendigo in Victoria for size, for scope, and for- certainly for modernisation it's going to be the best in the country.
And why shouldn't Rockhampton have the best regional art gallery in the country? Michelle Landry has fought hard for this $10 million under the regional- the Building Better Regions Fund. That regional funding which has been promised, which is now going to be delivered. And working in conjunction with other jurisdictions including the local council, we're going to build here the best art gallery in Australia, aren't we Margaret?
MICHELLE LANDRY:
We are.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
And it's going to be fantastic and we're going to obviously try and get more people to visit beautiful Rockhampton, not just to see the art, but also to visit this beautiful River Precinct, to see all that Rockhampton has to offer, because it's a lot. And as I say, Rockhampton should have the cultural aspects that draw visitors far and wide. It's going to. We're looking forward to getting on and wielding that sledgehammer, and I'm looking forward to coming back in mid-November to turn the first sod and then, you know, when it gets finished – and it's going to create lots of jobs in the process – coming back to officially open what will be one of the one of the nation's greatest art galleries.
Margaret, would you like to say some words? [Indistinct] to take your questions.
MARGARET STRELOW:
[Talks over] I’d be delighted to. Look this is an amazing opportunity for us to share with the Federal Government, to share with the Acting Prime Minister and with Michelle, the very first strokes of demolition on the building behind us as we set about building what will be one of Australia's finest and certainly largest regional art galleries. We have a nationally significant collection, and I know that it's not just a shallow interest from Michael McCormack, because I remember sitting down with him about a year ago showing him a catalogue of the works that we had and his genuine interest at the time. Look, we've got the collection. We have got a great design and, you know, we've had one of Australia's best architects work on that for us. And now we've got the money as well. So this is an extraordinary opportunity for us as a community. We're going to have to put up with a little bit of building work again in Quay Street but the results will be extraordinary and I look forward to seeing that delivered for our community too. Thank you.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Phenomenal. Any questions?
JOURNALIST:
Mayor, just quickly sorry, with the structure, I understand that you're going to have some old elements included? Is that correct? Like, so you’re going to have some sand- there’s going to be some old elements …
MARGARET STRELOW:
Yeah. So the building is clearly right beside the stunning Customs House, and a lot of care to make sure that we don't damage the Customs House in any way. But the new building will actually pay respects to the Customs House as well. The same quarry that provided the stone for the original building of the Customs House will also provide stone for the work that is about to be constructed. It’ll be delivered in a slightly different way, it’s a rough not a smooth finish, and a very modern look. But it will be respectful of the Customs House and we will have the privilege I think of seeing more of the Customs House through that graceful glass and colonnade structure than we’ve seen for a long time. I really believe that the design has been well done to ensure that instead of perhaps taking away from the Customs House, we’re actually paying respect to it.
JOURNALIST:
How long will the demolition process take and then when will construction begin?
MARGARET STRELOW:
So demolition is going to be from the end of this month really. We’re doing the very beginnings today. The building is already in the hands of the contractor, and they are expecting to have the demolition completed by the beginning of November give or take a week or so there, and then there will be the work of rising it up out of the ground. So, it's going to be a long build so we're not anticipating that this will be finished until probably middle 2021. We're trying not to give dates because until they really get started, particularly for the below ground areas, we're not really sure what's going to be entailed in bringing it out of the ground.
JOURNALIST:
Just a question, Mr McCormack. Each time we do these stories a lot of the feedback from locals is, I guess, criticism that we're spending so much money on a gallery in the city. What's your response to people who think that way?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Rockhampton has a wonderful cultural history. We want to make sure that that cultural history is there for the future, we want to attract people to Rockhampton. And the visitor numbers that I've been told about – 41,000 to 90000 – is going to bring people to town, those people are going to spend dollars in the town. Those people are going to make potentially investments in Rockhampton for the future.
The fact is, when you're increasing visitor numbers by 50,000, you're increasing the economic output, and worth, and productivity of this community hugely – almost tenfold. We want to make sure that Rockhampton is a place where people talk about, a place where people want to go and we've got so many grey nomads these days looking for an adventure, looking for somewhere to go.
The fact that we've got Sidney Nolan's tucked away in the quiet recesses of a council building – they should be on display, and I'm really excited about the fact that they are going to be on display in their full glory. And the fact that we're getting on and spending money on an art gallery should be applauded. I don't know why anybody would criticise the fact that we're building something which is going to create many, many jobs in the demolition stage, in the construction phase, and certainly ongoing.
And the fact is, we're also getting on with building a levee bank. The fact is, we're also getting on with building a ring road. The fact is, Michelle Landry has delivered as much if not more than any of the other 150 of her colleagues right around the nation and certainly regionally. Michelle Landry is a builder. She's somebody who delivers, and whether it's an art gallery or whatever the fact is, she's getting on, she's delivering, she's getting that money out of Canberra, and she's getting it spent in Rockhampton, in Capricornia, in her region. That should be applauded. I'm applauding it. I know how hard she works and I know how hard it is to actually get money of this nature and of this magnitude for regional areas. But the fact is she's doing it and that should be- that should get her accolades right throughout the community.
JOURNALIST:
Speaking about the money that Michelle has been getting, are you able to get an extra 15 million for the levee? Like, what has been requested by-
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
I can hear somebody laughing behind me and I think that's the Mayor Margaret Strelow. But look, I'm happy to work with the local council, happy to work with the Queensland Government to see what we can do. Surprised by the fact that that it is- the overruns are significant – $30 million more is a significant amount of money. But look, I will work in good faith with Margaret and her team, with the Queensland Government to see what we can do. We want to get this sort of infrastructure built and whilst I appreciate there are escalations and overruns in projects, I am surprised by the amount but the fact is we're a government that gets on and does things. We’re a government which gets on and build things. And the fact is, we're a government which wants to see better infrastructure for regional areas.
These sorts of infrastructure projects are an investment in the future and I know all too well the damage that floods can bring. I know the damage that they can do to a community, and we of course want to avoid that. We want to make sure that we've got the best infrastructure right across the nation. We're spending $100 billion on infrastructure at the moment across the nation, over the next decade. That's a significant amount of money. The Morrison Government is determined to build the regions up to the full potential that they can be and we’ll get on and do that.
JOURNALIST:
Are you able to give us an update on where- whether or not you’re getting close to finalising that joint partnership, and any information that you can provide us about extra money that might be required about [indistinct]?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, we increased our amount of money that we were going to invest on the Rockwood Weir from 130 to $176.1 million; that was May 2018. So, it’s- now, I appreciate that there is more money required. I appreciate the fact that I’ve had discussions with Dr Anthony Lynham. I’ve appreciated the fact that Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister, has had discussions with Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Queensland Premier, about what we can do – about getting this project up and off the ground. The fact is it was Prime Minister Turnbull and I and David Littleproud and Michelle Landry and Ken O’Dowd who made the announcement about Rockwood Weir, and the $176.1 million that we were going to invest in this project in May last year. Well, it’s now August 2019, I think the community rightly expects us to get on with it.
Again, there is more money required. So I'll be having those discussions with SunWater, with Queensland Government. We have already had some initial productive discussions, and I'll work in good faith with whomever it requires to get this project up and off the ground, because I know the agricultural output that this can increase by. I know how much this project means to both Michelle and Ken O'Dowd, and we just want to see it up and off the ground.
JOURNALIST:
But is the joint partnership almost sorted? [Indistinct]
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
[Talks over] Well, we're getting there. We're getting there. We're having discussions in good faith with the Queensland Government, as I say, and we want to make sure that those discussions lead to the Rockwood Weir happening. I know Michelle Landry phones me every other day about Rookwood Weir, she does, and other projects besides.
MARGARET STRELOW:
He’s on speed dial.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
I am indeed. [Laughs] Early in the morning, late at night, and that's fine, because we want to build dams, we want to build water infrastructure. That's why we've got more than $3 billion on the table to do just that. That's why I have to say I was delighted that finally, finally, finally the Queensland Government signed off two Saturdays ago on Emu Swamp Dam, it’s Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt region of Queensland. Appreciate that's a little bit south of here, but the fact is we get that project up on off the ground. $24 million has been put forward by local, local stakeholders, local irrigators. We've put up $42 million, we've put up an extra $5 million for enabling roads. Once we get shovels in the ground – I know the media are going to get excited about the first dam being built in decades, I know the community is very, very excited about it – and once we get that up and off the ground, I know that'll be the catalyst for more water infrastructure.
Fact is, we're establishing the national water grid. Fact is, we've got North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority already doing good work. We want to build more water infrastructure because wherever I go, whether it's country or city, people nod; people applaud at the fact that we are helping to drought proof our nation. The fact that we are building water infrastructure to better mitigate against flood, and we're getting on and building dams as we said we would, and as I said I would be determined to do in my maiden speech back in 2010.
JOURNALIST:
Do you have any updates about Stanage Road, or the convention centre in Keppel?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, again I was delighted to attend Keppel Bay Sailing Club recently to discuss their project. I know Michelle Landry fought hard for that, and I know the significant amount of money that we're spending on that is going to be fantastic. Of course, you know, contractors have to be worked through. We've provided the money; we're more than happy to deposit the cheque when we get all the necessary paperwork, but that's going to be a significant project. As far as the road you’re referring to, again, more money that Michelle Landry is delivering for the region. And whether it's that road, whether it's a road of strategic importance right around this particular part of the world, regional Queensland, we're making sure we're building the roads to increase freight supply chains, increase productivity, better produce more efficient roads as far as the farmers are concerned, as far as mining is concerned, and making sure that people get home sooner and safer. I know these are significant projects for the local area, and I know they build capacity – not just for the local community, but they build jobs as well, and that's why we've invested so heavily in them
MARGARET STRELOW:
Can I just add to that?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Please.
MARGARET STRELOW:
Thank you. So, with regards to the Keppel Bay Sailing Club, they’re in the process of talking to the State Government about funding, and also getting more funding, maybe applying for NAFE for additional funding. We’ve got $20 million on the table there and their plans are very well advanced. With regards to Stanage Bay Road, that project is in the hands of council who are working in with Defence to work out where the best places are for the $21.6 million to actually be spent there, and there are certainly some danger areas there. So what happens with that Stanage Bay Road is that before an exercise, Defence goes there, looks at the road, assesses what needs- what condition it’s in. Then after an exercise, they then pay council the money to make any repairs to that road. So they’re both working in together and I’m sure the Main Roads Department will be involved with that as well. So it’s got to be done properly; the planning’s got to be in place. The engineers have got to be out there, but certainly, work is in progress.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
And I should add too, that in the 2 April Budget, we provided an extra 25 per cent for the 537 councils right across Australia for Roads to Recovery, additional funding. That's a significant investment in particularly regional councils and particularly local roads.
JOURNALIST:
Just a quick question from Toowoomba. What are your expectations for the Inland Rail meeting next week?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
A productive meeting where all stakeholders can have their say. We need to make sure that we get that final alignment narrowed down to the 60 metres that it needs to be, but we want to do it in consultation as the ARTC has been doing with local communities. We want to make sure that everyone realises that this is nation-building infrastructure. Everyone realises the importance and the benefits that Inland Rail will bring. Fact is we don't invest $9.3 billion lightly. We know from the recent research conducted by the independent CSIRO, that whilst the original premise on a $10 per tonne saving was something that the Inland Rail was predicated upon, it's now actually going to be an average of around $76 per tonne and up to $94 a tonne saving for some post-food production processes and goods being carted on that rail when it's completed. So the fact is $10 tonne per saving has now developed into a $76 tonne per saving, that's significant. And of course, we've already seen on the Parkes to Narromine section, Australian jobs being created through small business, through providing ballast with people working on the line. Indeed, with Liberty Steel from South Australia, Whyalla, being used. I was there when the original 14,000 tonnes were dropped off on 15 January last year. The most recent drop off for the final section of that line – another 6,000 tonnes of South Australian steel - that's Australian jobs, that's Australian investment and that's us getting on with the job of building a better Australia.
JOURNALIST:
And also just a quick one from Townsville as well in terms of the black spot funding today. Why was a road west to the Bruce Highway near Crystal Creek given funding instead of that part of the National Highway?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well we can always look at, you know, it's not just the highway that we look at. We look at, under the Roads of Strategic Importance, many of the byways that link up with major highways. And the fact is, whether it's a local road through Roads to Recovery funding, whether it's a vital link road through black spot funding, indeed whether it's a major highway, we're investing in building a better future. And you know it depends on what was applied for and what we've actually agreed upon with any particular road. But it doesn't really matter which bucket it comes out of, just as long as the work's being done and we're a government which builds things. Of course we build things in conjunction with state governments, which often put out the - and usually put out the tenders and the contract. We provide the cheque - usually 80 per cent when it comes to a regional road. They do all the construction works and the tendering and the process and protocol to building that road.
But the fact is we need to make sure that we do provide that black spot funding and we are because what we want to do is make sure that people get home sooner and safer and the road toll is a concern. One death, one injury on the roads is one death and one injury too many. And the fact is our road toll at the moment is higher than it was at the same time last year and we want to make sure that the road toll is zero and because there's way too many empty chairs at Christmas time and people, everybody gets affected in a small community, in a large community, by somebody who gets lost on the road. So they’re tragedies we want to avoid and if it's black spot funding then we're happy to provide it.
JOURNALIST:
Sorry I just have one more question for [indistinct].
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Back to the mayor.
JOURNALIST:
I just wanted to ask [indistinct] question.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
We’ve got sledgehammers to swing.
JOURNALIST:
Thank you.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Pleasure.