Moreton Bay Regional Council hands downs its 2017/18 budget with highest rate rise in three years

ONE of Queensland’s largest councils hopes to be in surplus by almost $60 million by the end of the next financial year. But it’ll come at a cost.

Rates will rise 3.99 per cent for ratepayers in the Moreton Bay Region. File photo.

ONE of Queensland’s largest councils hopes to be in surplus by almost $60 million by the end of the next financial year despite splurging on several big ticket items — but it comes at a cost, with the highest rate rise in three years.

Moreton Bay Regional Council handed down its $563 million budget this afternoon.

The average total rate rise for residents is 3.99 per cent, costing residents an extra $54.96 a year.

It follows a 1.89 per cent rate rise in 2015-16 and a 2.98 per cent increase in 2016-17.

Councillor Adrian Raedel, Corporate Services spokesman, said 15,600 pensioners across the region would be eligible for a $250 pensioner remission.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Alan Sutherland said the surplus was impressive. Picture: Bradley Cooper

Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Allan Sutherland said it was the council’s seventh consecutive budget in surplus.

“This is an impressive result that demonstrates the continued strong financial management of this council,” Cr Sutherland said.

The council will commit $40 million towards The Mill at Moreton Bay and a university campus.

A further $6 million will be spent on the new sporting complex at Nathan Rd, Rothwell, and $4 million to upgrade the baseball facilities at James Drysdale Reserve.

“This is a strong budget that continues to invest in the lifestyle of our growing region,” Cr Sutherland said.

Major projects 2017-18

Div 1

$635,000 upgrade for Welsby Pde, Bongaree: pedestrian crossings, resurfacing, new lighting

$1 million upgrade drainage infrastructure at Boronia Drive, Bellara

$60,000 renewal playground equipment

Two new off-leash dog exercise areas

Div 2

$6.77 million football (soccer) precinct at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex

$550,000 upgrades at Burpengary Sports Complex

$400,000 improve traffic flow at Burpengary Rd and New Settlement Rd roundabout

Div 3

$15 million in road upgrades

$180,000 new boxing shed for Caboolture Boxing

$60,000 playground renewal at Amethyst Park, Caboolture

Div 4

$400,000 trial of new smart parking technologies in North Lakes CBD

$300,000 widen Tesch Rd near Griffin Primary School

$115,000 planning and designs for upgrades to North Lakes Drive, Dohles Rocks Rd and Malard St

$50,000 design work for Griffin Sports Complex

$1.2 million will be spent stabilising the red cliffs at Scarborough. Picture: Chris Higgins.

Div 5

$6 million Nathan Rd Sports Complex

$1.2 million stabilise Scarborough’s red cliffs

$2.2 million road upgrades

$20,000 car parking at Redcliffe Aerodrome

Div 6

$3.6 million upgrade Redcliffe Jetty

$1.6 million road upgrades

$600,000 Redcliffe Museum

$80,000 lift at Neighbourhood Centre, Lamington Drive

Div 7

$650,000 traffic flow improvements Old Gympie and Boundary roads intersection

$4.35 million to begin works on Dohles Rocks Rd interchange at Murrumba Downs

$180,000 develop Blatchford Sporting and Recreaction Reserve at Murrumba Downs

$300,000 construction Moreton Bay SES headquarters

The Les Hughes Sporting Complex will get $214,000. Picture: Bradley Cooper

Div 8

$214,000 Les Hughes Sporting Complex

$60,000 for new park shelters, playgrounds, picnic facilities at Leis Park, Lawnton

$1.52 million road surface upgrades

Div 9

$10 million roads and stormwater infrastructure pacreage

$50,000 planning for junior Motorsport facility at Nolan Park, Brendale

$15,000 upgrade park shelters at Frank Nichols Reserve, Warner

Div 10

$3.3 million local sporting facilities

$775,000 new pool at Ferny Hills

$100,000 design purpose built facility for Arana Hills SES

Div 11

$350,000 upgrade Samford’s Main St

$420,000 skate and outdoor youth space at Narangba

$50,000 construct a new dog off-leash area, Dayboro

Div 12

$3.34 million upgrade Morayfield Sport and Event Centre

$2.2 million Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail

$2.944 million road resurfacing projects