The Moreton Bay Regional Council one of Queensland’s biggest has adopted a 1.46 per cent rates rise in a record $655 million budget officially adopted on Monday.

This year the rates rise equates to an average increase per household of of $21.46 in the next financial year in line with CPI index.

Last year the council raised rates by 2.89 per cent in a record budget of $622 million.

With 9 months remaining before the next council election, this budget delivers with heavy investment in projects that will rehabilitate, protect and enhance the natural environment.

Across the region, there is a $227.4m capital works program, a $34m spend on sport and recreation projects and $54 million for environment projects.

There will also be $20m (over the term of this council) knocked off the forecast June 30, 2020 debt level to $370.1m.

The Caboolture region was able to snag a large portion of Moreton Bay’s future road upgrade and resurfacing projects

While there were commitments for projects such as Oakey Flat Rd, Morayfield ($3 million) and the Aerodrome Rd, Caboolture ($2.4 million) intersections, much of the money will find its way west.

Division 12 secured $7.1 million for resurfacing, the most of any division, and an overhaul of Woodford’s main street.

“A brand new $1.8 million welcome mat will be rolled out in the Woodford CBD, with Archer St set to be transformed,” councillor Adrian Raedel said.

“This will be a big project involving streetscape upgrades, new pathways and lighting, public artworks, signage and carparking.”

Pates Rd, Wamuran will also receive a $1.6 million facelift for a 1560m stretch of road.

The other standout roadworks are $2.45 million worth of rehabilitation work including, shared paths, zebra crossings, street lighting, drainage improvement and tree planting for McKean St, Caboolture

“Roads connect us, bring communities together, support growth and economic development,” Division 3 councillor Adam Hain said.

“So it’s crucial that the reliability of our road networks keep pace with population growth.”

Meanwhile Councillor Peter Flannery (Div 2) said he was delighted with more than $4 million for the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex.

$3.7 million will go toward upgrading Paradise Rd, Burpengary to provide an adequate second entrance to the sporting facility.

“Following the successful opening of the new multimillion-dollar world-class Football Precinct at Burpengary, we need to accommodate soccer’s incredible popularity in our community by ensuring we have additional infrastructure to access these facilities,” Cr Flannery said.

$490,000 will also go toward the Burpengary Regional Aquatic Centre, within the same complex, to replace two heat pumps in the 50-metre pool.

Other projects for Division 2 include:

• $2 million for road resurfacing across Division 2

• $1.17 million for road rehabilitation at Arthur Drewett Drive

• $1 million to upgrade the stormwater network at Old Bay Road

• $600,000 for replacement works at Beachmere Lake

Division 3:

• $1.86 million to construct the Browns Street Corridor road to accommodate increased future

traffic and provide pedestrian and cyclist connectivity

• $1 million for road resurfacing across Division 3

• $730,000 for road rehabilitation and drainage catchment upgrades at Mark Street

• $380,000 for lift renewal at the Caboolture Hub multistorey carpark

• $360,000 to build a carpark and dog agility facility at Devine Court Sports Complex

• $310,000 for fauna crossing infrastructure at Pumicestone Road

• $300,000 for pedestrian connectivity, drainage upgrades and road resurfacing at Walter

Street

• $300,000 for road corridor improvements at Watt Street

• $200,000 towards a detention basin upgrade and roadworks at Male Road

• $200,000 for service relocations for future construction works to improve capacity and

reduce congestion at the Smiths Road and Del Roso Road intersection

Division 12:

• $500,000 towards design costs towards an upgrade for the Oakey Flat Road and Ashbrook

Drive intersection

• $315,000 for construction of a waste water treatment plant at Upper Caboolture Waste

Transfer Station

• $200,000 for gravel road sealing at Vidoni Road

• $175,000 for sports ground renewal at Woodford Junior Rugby League Club

• $135,000 towards design costs towards road rehabilitation at Rowley Road

Years of big-picture thinking, fiscal restraint and strategic investment have delivered for the Moreton Bay Region, with the council today adopting a $655 million budget focused on the future.

Acting Mayor Mike Charlton described the 2019/20 Budget as a “milestone” and a “coming of age” for Moreton Bay Regional Council.

“This budget is centred on building a stronger region and investing in lifestyle, safeguarding the future of the Moreton Bay Region,” Cr Charlton said.

“We have known for a decade that this region is one of the fastest growing in the country and we have been busy preparing for that growth.

“The nation’s first new greenfield university campus in nearly 20 years, University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay, is literally rising from the ground at The Mill priority development area in Petrie.

“It’s an impressive sight that we have worked hard to bring to fruition and so is the predicted $1 billion economic impact and 6,000 new jobs that it will deliver.

“Our children will have brighter futures with access to a university education in their backyard and this council is determined to make that possible.

“No-one should be denied a university education and the opportunities that come with it because of financial disadvantage, which is why we’ve allocated $64,000 in equity scholarships for local children in this budget and a further $704,000 for the future.”

Cr Charlton said education was just one part of the bigger picture for the Moreton Bay Region.

“This budget will also deliver a $227.4 million capital works program to improve roads, waste services, sport and recreation facilities, stormwater infrastructure and invest in community programs and facilities expected from a strong and financially sustainable council,” Cr Charlton said.

“$112 million of the capital and maintenance works program for a safer, more integrated road and transport network for the region, with a few noteworthy projects on the horizon including:

• $3.7 million for a second access road into the incredible Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex;

• $3 million for an intersection upgrade at Oakey Flat Road;

• $2.82 million for drainage upgrades in the Cox Street catchment including at Duffield Road, Cox Street, Oxley Avenue, Mabel Street and Margate Parade;

• $2.45 million in safety improvements on McKean Street in Caboolture;

• $1.86 million of an ultimate $3.86M project for road construction and upgrade, including cycling and pedestrian infrastructure along Caboolture’s Brown Street corridor;

• $1.8 million for streetscaping along Archer Street in Woodford;

• $1.75 million for initial road reconstruction works at Henry Road and the intersection with Dohles Rocks Road and additional funding has been committed to this project thanks to the Australian Government;

• $1.6 million to upgrade the intersection of Narangba Road and Torrens Road in Kurwongbah thanks to Black Spot funding from the Australian Government;

• $1.6 million to improve a section of Pates Road in Wamuran;

• $1.17 million to upgrade Arthur Drewett Drive in Burpengary;

• $1.12 million for the design and construction of an intersection in Narangba where Main Street, Mackie Road and Mumford Road meet;

• $1 million for road renewal along Alma Road in Dakabin;

• $1 million to rehabilitate a section of road along Saraband Drive, from the intersection with Felicia Place to Queen Elizabeth Drive; and

• $500,000 towards design costs for road and intersection upgrades for Young Crossing Road and Oxford Street intersection to Francis Road.

Division 1

The rates rise equates to an average increase per household of of $21.46 in the next financial year.

Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) said the budget had more than $1 million for a number of projects from new field lighting to new public amenities.

“We will be investing $500,000 for new sports field lighting at Bribie Island Sports Complex.” she said.

‘Council has also allocated $300,000 to upgrade 13 cabins at Bongaree Caravan Park, which is part of a $520,000 project over two years, funded through the Building Renewal Program.

“Council will invest $220,000 for the construction of an accessible toilet, shower and change room facility for people with disability at Pumicestone Lions Park, $120,000 to revamp the Donnybrook Caravan Park amenities building and $120,000 to increase accessibility and safety at the Bribie Island Recreation Hall.

Cr Savige said council would also be investing more than $400,000 for quality and accessible recreational opportunities.

Cr Savige said council had also dedicated more than $1 million for coastal waterway projects to improve and preserve Bribie’s foreshore areas including $800,000 in design and planning costs to stabilise a 575-metre section of seawall at Welsby Pde.

“I am also pleased to announce council has earmarked more than $2.3 million for local road

upgrades across Division 1,” Cr Savige said.

“Road safety is a priority for this council and these works will address important maintenance and road safety issues,” she said.

Division 1 Budget highlights Include:

• $800,000 to stabilise a 575m section of the Welsby Pde seawall

• $700,000 for road improvements in Toorbul

• $654,000 for road resurfacing across Division 1

• $500,000 for sports field lighting at Bribie Island Sports Complex

• $334,500 to install a single lane roundabout at the Sylvan Beach Esp, Marine Pde

and Bibimulya St intersection

• $325,000 for road rehabilitation at Goodwin Drive

• $300,000 to renew 13 cabins at Bongaree Caravan Park

• $300,000 to build new landfill cells at Caboolture Waste Management Facility

• $250,000 for the construction of a new pathway at Sylvan Beach Esp

• $220,000 to build new amenities at Pumicestone Lions Park

• $189,000 for stormwater network renewal at Benabrow Ave and Verdoni St

• $150,000 to renew stormwater assets in the Bellara catchment

• $150,000 to extend the landfill gas management system at Caboolture Waste Management

Facility

• $135,000 for playground improvements at Solander Esplanade Park

• $120,000 to improve accessibility of Bribie Island Recreational Hall

• $120,000 to refurbish the amenities at Donnybrook Caravan Park

• $100,000 to build fire truck trails through Riverstone Street Park

• $95,000 to renew the Bribie Island Aquatic Centre pool shells

• $72,000 for stormwater network renewal at Charlotte Ave

“As part of the 2019/20 Budget we’ve set aside $250,000 for the construction of a new pathway at Sylvan Beach Esplanade, $135,000 to upgrade the Solander Esplanade Park playground, $10,000 towards fencing and security renewal at Banksia Oxley Park and more than $5,000 to improve barbecue facilities at Sandstone Point Cremorne Court Park.

In Summary

The 2019/20 Budget will also make a significant environmental investment as well, Cr Charlton said, being one of the largest spends of the entire budget.

“This council is committed to getting the balance right as the region continues to grow into the future, which is why we’re spending $54 million on projects to rehabilitate, protect and enhance the natural environment,” Cr Charlton said.

“Scarborough’s iconic Red Cliffs will be protected from encroaching erosion with a $1.5 million investment in stabilisation works, while Blatchford Recreational Reserve is in line for $1.49 million expansion including a new playground.

“Water quality in the Bells Creek Catchment, which flows into our precious Moreton Bay, is also going to benefit from an $800,000 wetland creation.”

The 2019/20 Budget will also see a $34 million investment in sport and recreation projects across the region.

“Sport is integral to the healthy and active lifestyle that residents value so highly,” Cr Charlton said.

“This council is proud of its strong record of delivering world-class sporting facilities like the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, which is in line for a further multi-million-dollar investment in this budget for new playing fields.”

Council Spokesperson for Corporate Services, Councillor Matthew Constance, said the budget was a testament to the financial sustainability of Moreton Bay Regional Council.

“The 2019/20 Budget will deliver an operational surplus for the ninth year in a row,” Cr Constance said.

“The Moreton Bay Region has a long and proud history of delivering consecutive operational surplus budgets — it has become the hallmark of this council and the benchmark that distinguishes us from many other councils across Queensland.

“I am excited to announce today that this council will end its term with less debt than when it started, which is a remarkable achievement given the current economic climate and the world-class infrastructure we have been able to deliver.

“By 30 June 2020, we will have a forecast debt level of $370.1 million, down $20 million from the start of this term.

“It is difficult to pull the right economic levers at the right time, stimulating growth while also paying down debt but we have managed to achieve that.

“We can look to the future with optimism. This budget is strategically designed to deliver for the region by investing in our future, today.”