THG

Wednesday, 28^th July, 2010

Moreton Bay Regional Council- 2010 / 2011 Budget Summary

Mayor Allan Sutherland recently delivered the Moreton Bay Regional Council 2010/ 2011 Budget and announced the delivery of one regional rating policy for the region.

Touted as delivering $75 million in savings, the budget coincides with a change of water service provider for the Moreton Bay region to Unity Water. Moreton Bay water customers will receive a two-year subsidy, with the Council pledging a 50% subsidy on any increase in customers’ water and sewerage charges for the 2010/2011 financial year.

Approximately half of Council residents are also set to benefit from a reduction in general rates, with the average rates bill to drop by around 3.4%.

Mayor Sutherland also announced the commencement of construction on a number of major projects announced in last year’s budget, including the $20 million facelift of the Redcliffe Seaside Village and the $25 million ‘Hub’ (library, learning centre and art gallery complex) in Caboolture’s Town Centre.

Spending for this financial year will include $7 million to maintain Council libraries, plus an extra $1.6 million (with State Government support) for books and $60 million allocated to infrastructure, for new roads, drains, footpaths, bikeways and carparks.

The $19 million allocated to maintaining and improving existing road networks will see the following key projects commence in the coming year:

• The $7 million upgrade of Dohles Rocks Road

• Planning for a $5 million upgrade of Pumicestone Road

• Caboolture’s $1 million Lagoon Creek pedestrian bridge and pathway

• Detailed design of the $17.3 million Dakabin to North Lakes link road

• $17 million over three years for the Francis Road Rail Overpass

Local waterways attracted $2.9 million, with environmental monitoring on waterways such as the Caboolture River allocated $600,000,and $850,000 pledged for environment al engagement programs.

Up to $6 million will be spent upgrading park and foreshore areas, while $19 million will see the improvement and expansion of theregion’s major sporting precincts, including a $9 million State Equestrian Centre at Caboolture, a $4 million soccer facility at SamfordParkland and $3.7 million towards the South Pine Sporting Complex.

This budget appears to be a pretty good result for the people of Moreton Bay. The initiatives and measures listed above will directlycontribute to an improvement of the liveability of the region, increasing access to culture and education, increasing access to quality parks and recreation facilities, increasing the environmental sustainability of the region and improving the economy of the region.