New parks, sports centres, paths on agenda for SEQ under $285m package

An agreement has been reached between three levels of government on the 24 projects to be considered for funding under the $285 million SEQ Liveability Fund.

Eleven councils in south-east Queensland submitted proposals for funding as part of the SEQ City Deal, and the eligible projects would now be subject to a detailed assessment.

An artist’s impression of how Victoria Park in Brisbane might look when transformed into Barrambin.Credit: Brisbane City Council

The projects include Brisbane City Council’s Barrambin park masterplan, an upgrade of the Tivoli Sports Complex in Ipswich, work on the Mill Lakes Precinct in Moreton Bay council area and improvements to the Mooloolaba foreshore on the Sunshine Coast.

“We are committed to providing long-term improvements to the social, environmental and economic viability and sustainability of SEQ communities,” said State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, who has clashed with the Queensland government over an audit of road and transport projects, said the Liveability Fund would benefit more than 3 million Queenslanders.

Before council elections in March, LNP Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner welcomed the co-operation of the state and federal Labor governments in ongoing efforts to improve the lifestyle in south-east Queensland.

“With another 2.2 million people to call our region home, we need to ensure important community infrastructure like local parks, sport and recreation precincts keep up with this growing demand,” said Schrinner, who is also chair of the SEQ Council of Mayors.

Brisbane has been tentatively given the most funding under the package ($120.84 million), followed by Moreton Bay ($45.53 million) and Logan ($32.46 million).

To be considered for the fund, the projects could not have already been under construction and must be completed by July 2027.

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