Projects allocated funding in light of Bundaberg Regional Council 2021-22 budget

The Bundaberg Regional Council adopted its 2021-22 budget this week: Here are eight key areas that have been ear marked for funding this financial year.

Generic Bundaberg Regional Council

From roadworks to investment in major development projects and upgrades to existing facilities, the Bundaberg Regional Council has outlined its key funding priorities in this week’s budget.

The council’s 2021-22 budget was adopted on Tuesday during a Special Meeting.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said 2020 had presented some of the most difficult challenges the community had ever faced and in response council had delivered a “responsible” budget.

“Council spent more than $2 million on COVID relief measures including community sporting grants and fee waivers,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“We also had lower revenue from the airport and venues, and extra costs for cleaning and COVID compliance.

“Despite these challenges, it’s important that we as a community continue to move forward.

“This is a responsible budget which puts council and the community back on track for recovery.”

He said Council was “taking the plunge” to build the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Facility, capable of hosting international standard events.

In the next 12 months the council will also start work on the Moore Park Beach Master Plan, with $500,000 allocated to supporting the redevelopment of the surf club.

Cr Dempsey said the council remained committed to “building Australia’s best regional community”.

Here’s a list of some of the projects and areas set to receive funding in light of the recent budget adoption:

Roads, paths and stormwater drainage

The projects adopted in Bundaberg Regional Council’s 2021-22 budget were prioritised using the newly developed Stormwater Management Strategy and Road Investment Strategy.

Portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said it was a best practice approach which saw the council making evidence-based decisions for project development.

“We maintain thousands of kilometres of road and just as many drains – many of which are subject to historical concerns,” Cr Trevor said.

“These strategies, developed in consultation with our community, are ensuring we have a formal decision framework through which to prioritise projects.

“We are taking a whole-of-network approach. What that means for residents is we are achieving the best value for money while ensuring the greatest level of community benefit.”

In a $27.4m roads budget Cr Trevor said the Birthamba ad widening and Hughes Rd culvert upgrades were among those prioritised.

Roadworks

He said increasing traffic volumes on Harts Rd means it was also selected for an almost $1.4m upgrade.

“This road is becoming more and more popular due to its proximity to the ever-growing Elliott Heads community, farming operations and the Riverview boat ramp,” Cr Trevor said.

“To improve safety and traffic flow, we will seal and widen Harts Road between Elliott Heads and Riverview Roads.”

Improving stormwater quality and renewing deteriorated drainage assets by returning Washpool Creek to its natural state headlines the stormwater management budget.

The $3.4m Washpool Creek project has received funding support from the Queensland Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Program.

Highlights for the $2.1m pathway budget, which will add 4.25km to the growing network, include Sims Rd, Avenell Heights and Childers Rd, Branyan.

Cr Trevor said the council would also continue to invest in important safety initiatives for the region’s roads.

“Our smiley face program will once again be rolled out, moved throughout the year to speeding hot spots across the region.

“We will also continue to partner with the State Government to deliver the SafeST program which focuses on safety improvements around the region’s schools.”

Parks and open spaces

Parks and Gardens portfolio spokesperson Cr Wayne Honor said the Apple Tree Creek Community Park was one of the highlights, with $290,000 allocated for an upgrade to the playground and internal pathways.

He said the park was located just off the Bruce Highway near Childers and provided a quiet rest stop and a place to stretch the legs for weary travellers.

“Apple Tree Creek Community Park underwent construction to its amenities block and parking areas last year which was very well received by those driving through the region and the local community,” he said.

“This next round of funding will allow for further work to the area, specifically to the playground and the addition of pathways within the park, providing the final touches to a fantastic upgrade.”

Cr Honor said the budget also highlighted $206,000 for work to Surf Riders Point car park.

“This area is located at the southern end of Nielson Park Beach and is well utilised by surfers and paddle boarders,” he said.

“The funding will allow for the formalisation and sealing of the car park, which will provide increased accessibility for drivers.”

Cr Honor said shade continued to be a priority for the council, with more shade sails to be delivered in parks throughout the region during the next 12 months.

Moncrieff Upgrades

Moncrieff Entertainment Centre. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail

The Moncrieff Entertainment Centre is in the spotlight of the 2021-22 council budget with $175,000 allocated to the theatre to replace the audio and lighting control desk.

Arts, Cultural and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said the control desks were recognised as in need of replacement due to the current equipment showing signs of major deterioration.

“The audio and lighting desks are significant pieces of equipment that are an absolute requirement for day-to-day servicing of live performing arts events at the Moncrieff,” Cr Learmonth said.

He said the benefits of the upgrades would ensure that industry standard equipment was used to provide a high level of service at the local venue which serves national and international touring shows.

Community grants

As part of its 2021-22 budget, Bundaberg Regional Council’s community grants program had been bolstered to $100,000, an increase of $20,000.

Community Service portfolio spokesperson Cr Tracey McPhee said the program allowed not for profit organisations to apply for up to $5000 in support.

Cr McPhee said last year the program had supported 25 local community groups for a range of projects from equipment purchases to facility repairs and upgrades.

The micro grants program, with a budget of $30,000, will also be continued allowing not for profit organisations across the region to apply for up to $1000 in support.

Dogs Parks

Two new dog off leash parks will be delivered within the next 12 months after the budget was council budget was adopted.

Animal control portfolio spokesperson Cr May Mitchell said it was good news for the region’s dog lovers.

“We have listened to the feedback of our community members who have told us more areas dedicated to exercising dogs off leash are required,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Responsible pet owners want a place to safely enjoy with their four-legged friends where they have room to freely roam and stretch their legs.

“In our four existing dog off leash areas we have found that there are great socialising opportunities for dogs and their owners to come together and make some new friends.”

Cr Mitchell said discussions around possible locations were still ongoing and the council would seek community feedback before a decision was finalised.

She said they’ll be seeking feedback on things like location, how people want to use these areas and the types of inclusions they would like to see.

The Bundaberg Regional Council has previously opened four off leash dog parks at Bargara, North Bundaberg and East Bundaberg.

Bushfire resilience

Disaster Management portfolio spokesperson Cr Greg Barnes said council would have increased capacity to undertake fire management activities with new equipment.

“Specialised equipment including trailers, a ute, an all-terrain vehicle and weather stations will be purchased ahead of the next bushfire season,” Cr Barnes said.

“The region’s residents are no strangers to extreme weather events but with this equipment at our disposal Council can support the efforts of the Rural Fire Brigade and contractors to minimise future risk.

“This can be achieved through activities including hazard reduction burns, fire line management and fire breaks.”

The investment in the mobile firefighting equipment was made possible through Local Economic Recovery Program funding, with the council to fund the equipment’s ongoing maintenance and operational costs.

“Funding has been provided to council as one of the region’s impacted by the 2019 Queensland bushfires.

“What it will mean is a significant boost in our ability to practice responsible bushfire management on council-owned land.”

Officers will engage with Traditional Owners within the region regarding partnering with council to practice cultural and sustainable land management.

Also in Cr Barnes’ portfolio is continued investment in the Bundaberg Regional Airport, including helicopter area pavement strengthening and terminal floor coverings.

The Local Economic Recovery Program (LER) is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

H2-go with infrastructure funding

Water Services funding as part of Council’s 2021-22 budget is set to ensure the Gregory River and Kalkie Water Treatment Plants are operational within the next year.

The Gregory River plant has been allocated $2.1m while just over $9m will go towards the Kalkie plant upgrade.

Water services portfolio spokesman Cr Jason Bartels said the upgrades were a “significant investment” in future proofing the region’s water supply.

“The Gregory River Water Treatment Plant is set to benefit thousands of homes and businesses in the Childers and Woodgate area when it is up and running by October this year,” he said.

“The Kalkie Water Treatment Plant will provide better water supply to our coastal areas and will address taste and odour issues when it is operational in 2022.

“Overall, both of these major projects will improve water quality and also provide security of water for the future.

“We know this is an outcome our community has been calling for and after years of planning and design it is highly rewarding to see these significant infrastructure upgrades nearing completion.”

Cr Bartels said the upgrade to both water treatment plants was integral in keeping quality water flowing to service a fast-growing community.

“With our population increasing steadily, these upgrades will ensure a first-class water supply to cater for growth over the next few decades,“ he said.

More than $15.9m has been assigned in the budget to support water services in the next financial year and almost $4.3m for wastewater.

The funding is said to go towards a number of projects, innovative processes and maintenance work across the Bundaberg region.

Recycling and best practice initiatives

In the next year, $230,000 will be allocated to the Material Recovery Facility, operated by Impact Community Services, for the upgrade of two balers.

Council Waste and Recycling portfolio spokesperson Cr Tanya McLoughlin said the specialised machinery was a major component in the recycling process.

“The current balers, which are about 15 years old, are nearing the end of their life and will be replaced with new models,” she said.

“These pieces of machinery are responsible for compressing all bottles, tins and plastics – basically everything except for paper, cardboard and glass – that come from our yellow-lidded recycling bins.

“With 7,033,000kg of material recycled through the Material Recovery Facility last year, it sure makes the process a lot easier.”

Cr McLoughlin said the council was also implementing best practice initiatives to benefit the environment was the utilisation of gas flaring at the Cedars Road and University Drive Landfills.

“Methane gas is a natural but harmful by-product of the waste decomposition process,” she said.

“Through our gas flaring facilities, we are able to transform this into carbon dioxide instead, which is less harmful to the environment.”

While continuing its investment in gas flaring, particularly at Cedars Road, she said the council was investigating other ways to use this gas, like converting it to green energy.

Cr McLoughlin said the council waste facilities would also continue to provide free disposal points for recyclable items into the new financial year.

These include the Paintback Scheme, chemical waste disposal and mobile phone drop off points.

For more information on the Bundaberg Regional Council 2021-22 budget click here.