With stage one safety upgrades completed to the Lindum level crossing, work has begun on Stage two upgrades to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, and commuters.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said since securing the $85 million Federal Funding for this project in 2019, he had been working with the state and local council to move forward with vital safety improvements.

“I’ve been fighting for this upgrade since 2017 when over 7000 locals in Bonner signed my petition to fix Lindum crossing,” Mr Vasta said.

“Sadly, we have lost too many lives at this dangerous level crossing, and while stage one safety improvements are completed thanks to $1 million from our $85 million, I am very pleased work on stage two is now underway.”

Mr Vasta said the immediate safety upgrade to Lindum crossing included the installation of new and extended median islands, as well as new on-road line markings and resurfacing.

“The second stage utilises $10 million of our government’s $85 million commitment and involves realigning and signalising the intersection at the level crossing,” Mr Vasta said.

“I will continue to work with all levels of government and deliver on my commitment to the people of Bonner to fix Lindum crossing and provide an upgrade that safely caters for commuters, school children, business, bike riders and pedestrians.”

More information on stage one and two Lindum safety upgrade works is available here.

In addition to the Federal Government’s commitment, Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government have each committed $5 million to stage two of the project.

Clairvaux Football Club (FC) has been successful in receiving funding from Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP through the Volunteer Grants program. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment for the club’s volunteers.

On Saturday Mr Vasta attended Clairvaux FC, at Clairvaux Mackillop College, to catch-up with members and find out how the new equipment will help the club.

“It’s been great to work with Clairvaux FC and deliver federal funding which will be used to purchase new fridges for their canteen,” Mr Vasta said.

“Canteens sales at sporting events are a vital source of income and allow the club to reinvest into their players and the community.”

Clairvaux FC Coach and Treasurer Robbie McLean said the funding allows the club to regain an important income stream.

“We are very thankful for the funding that Ross has secured for us, and it will make a massive difference to the club,” Mr McLean said.

“Without fridges to keep food and drinks cold and fresh, we lose the ability to raise money through canteen sales, which means we have less money to reinvest into the club,

“Purchasing new fridges will also mean we can have cold drinks ready for players after games.”

Mr Vasta is proud to support the Clairvaux FC, which last year had 400 players, and provide this Federal funding to benefit the Clairvaux FC sporting community.

Local Sporting Champions continues to support more aspiring young sportspeople than ever before, with Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta encouraging families to apply for the next round of the popular grants program by 30 September 2019.

The Morrison Government’s Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to aspiring young athletes, coaches and officials between the ages of 12-18 attending eligible state, national or international sporting championships.

Mr Vasta said Local Sporting Champions, managed by Sport Australia, was an important initiative for talented young sportspeople and their families.

“Local Sporting Champions provides an opportunity for aspiring young athletes from the Bonner Electorate to take part in high level competition,” Mr Vasta said.

“This program helps support families meet the costs associated with attending sporting competitions such as competition entry fees, travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment.

Local Sporting Champions continues to grow, with the Morrison Government announcing a funding boost in 2018-19 of $11.8million over four years. Funding starts at $500 per grant, with additional provisions for longer distance travel.

Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said assisting families to engage in high level sporting competition would help meet the Morrison Government’s Sport 2030 plan to help more Australians be more active more often.

“Local Sporting Champions has already delivered more than $30 million in grants to more than 52,000 young Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Sport and physical activity is a valuable part of any child’s development, so this program is a great investment in the health of our nation.”

Applications for the Local Sporting Champions program are open throughout the entire year, with four assessment periods. To be considered for the next assessment period, applications must be in by 30 September, 2019.

For more information on Local Sporting Champions grants, including the eligibility criteria and to apply, visit www.sportaus.gov.au/lsc