Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann has criticised the Turnbull Government for excluding Ipswich from consideration for the ‘Building Better Regions Fund’ program.

The Building Better Regions Fund was designed to support projects that create jobs, drive economic growth and build regional communities for the long term. Under the fund’s guidelines, Ipswich is considered a part of Brisbane, and is therefore ineligible to seek support.

In a letter to the Minister for Regional Development Senator Fiona Nash, Mr Neumann argued that excluding Ipswich from the program was unfair and contrary to the purpose of the funding.

“The Building Better Regions Fund was designed to provide funding for infrastructure and community investment projects to promote economic and community growth in areas outside of major capital cities” Mr Neumann said.

“While there’s no doubt that Ipswich could benefit from such funding, the current guidelines consider Ipswich as being part of Brisbane, depriving us of valuable funding and support.

“To suggest that Ipswich is a part of Brisbane is out of touch. Ipswich is an important regional centre with a rapidly growing population, a combination of rural, semi-rural, and suburban areas, and a unique history. It deserves to be treated as a distinct region, with specific needs.

“While the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, and the City of Newcastle are all eligible for funding, Ipswich is not. It’s obvious that the criteria needs to be changed.”

Mr Neumann said that the Ipswich City Council would be a worthy recipient of such funding.

“The Ipswich City Council has overseen the continued growth and development of Ipswich into a world class city with the facilities to match. Through their efforts to boost the local economy whilst maintaining Ipswich’s sense of community, they’ve demonstrated a history of sound investment, and would be worthy recipients of such funding.

“I’m calling on Senator Nash to intervene and ensure that people living in Ipswich don’t miss out on this funding.”