Leader of The Nationals in the Senate, Ron Boswell, today officially launched the Yeppoon and District Kindergarten Association extension. Senator Boswell said Australian Government Regional Partnerships programme funding of more than $210,000 will assist the Yeppoon and District Kindergarten Association to extend the existing Queen Street Kindergarten. “I remember visiting here with former Livingstone Shire Councillor, Mary Carroll, in May last year to get a feel for the project proposal. Because the children were having their afternoon sleep, we had to keep quiet when we were going over the plans,” Senator Boswell said. “Now that the money has been delivered and when the Queen Street Kindergarten extension is complete, allowing 80 kindergarten places available to children in the Yeppoon region to be located in the one facility, I expect there will be plenty of noise,” Senator Boswell said. “The extended Kindergarten will now have disabled access and a number of upgraded amenities. It will also be used as a multi-purpose facility, bringing further benefits to the wider community,” he said.  Senator Boswell congratulated the local community for working together to access Regional Partnerships programme funding.  “I would particularly like to thank the Central Queensland Area Consultative Committee for helping to bring this project to fruition,” he said. “I would also like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Department of Education Community Kindergarten Assistance Scheme and the many in-kind donations made by the community. I will continue to work with the CQACC to see if we can access some further funds to help make up any shortfall.” The Regional Partnerships programme continues the Australian Government’s approach of working with local communities to support their ideas.  A total of $261.7 million is available under the Regional Partnerships programme from 2007–08 to 2010–11. Senator Boswell said the Coalition’s Regional Partnerships programme delivered benefits to communities, not only from programme funding, but from the higher levels of economic activity and improved social amenity which the programme was generating. Other Capricorn Coast community groups should contact the Central Queensland Area Consultative Committee if they are considering seeking funds through the Regional Partnerships programme. ENDS Media Contact – 0447 128 801