The Bundaberg Regional Council wants all parties contesting the 31 January Queensland election to commit to funding important local infrastructure projects such as the Multiplex community facility, the Rubyanna Waste Water Treatment Plant and flood mitigation measures. The Council is also calling on political parties to heed calls from local industry groups for cheaper electricity.
On the list of funding requests, the Council is asking for $8 million in state government money to be contributed to a multipurpose facility to be located at the old showgrounds site, which will also house the PCYC.
Mayor Mal Forman says the Council is also requesting $10 million towards the $92 million Rubyanna Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest single infrastructure project to be undertaken by the Council.
Also at the top of the list is a request for more than $100 million for flood mitigation to assist with the continued implementation of the Burnett River Floodplain Action Plan, identified by the Community Reference Group.
“One of the projects still outstanding from the Action Plan involves engineering design and dredging of Millaquin Bend to reduce the flood levels on both the north and south side of the Burnett River. This stage is estimated to cost more than $30 million and would remove about 430 properties from ‘above floor’ flooding in a flood event similar to that in 2013,” Mayor Forman said.
“The other project involves engineering design and construction of an east levee and floodgate, estimated to cost more than $70 million. This work would remove about 920 houses and businesses completely from any flooding in an event similar to that in 2013.
Mayor Forman has also backed calls from industry groups and residents to act on rising electricity costs.
“We are concerned about the cost of electricity prices and the pressure this is placing on local industries and local jobs, especially within the agricultural sector.”
“We have been approached by farmers who are telling us that electricity costs are having a drastic impact on their profitability to the point that they are switching off electricity pumps. This in turn is having an impact of productivity and ongoing employment.”
“Other projects on the Council’s wish list include a 450 metre extension of Kay McDuff Drive, estimated to cost about $3 million to link the Bundaberg Industrial Area and the Shalom College education precinct to the Bundaberg Ring Road, providing relief to existing traffic conditions and facilitate heavy vehicle access to the industrial park and commercial developments.”
Mayor Forman said the Council would continue to lobby for continued support for the redevelopment of Port Bundaberg to create new industry to drive economic growth for the region.
ENDS