This morning Council adopted the budget for the 2015/2016 financial year and as tough it is, we’ve managed to retain some significant projects across the entire region whilst keeping the average rate rise to 4.63%. (Please note that this is the average across the region)
$34.7M has been set aside towards the overall $93M for the construction of the Rubyanna Wastewater Treatment Plant which will replace the current East Bundaberg plant which is non-complaint and well past its use-by date. In addition, the new plant will encourage investment growth and improved services along the coastal strip between Port Bundaberg and Elliott Heads however it needs to be emphasised that there are no immediate plans to retro-fit properties which are currently reliant on septic systems.
Projects which may be of particular interest for Division 5 residents include:
- $1.2M for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Woongarra Scenic Drive & Causeway Drive, Bargara. (Includes Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme & Roads 2 Recovery funding [State Govt.] & Roads to Recovery Program funding [Federal Govt.])
- $1.0M for the construction of the next stage of the Hughes Road Extension from the new roundabout at Rifle Range & Windermere Roads to Wearing Road, Bargara. (Includes Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme & Roads 2 Recovery funding [State Govt.] & Roads to Recovery Program funding [Federal Govt.])
- $1.6M for the construction of a new Sewerage Pump Station and Pressure Main at Innes Park
- $800,000 to continue the construction of the trunk water main to connect Mellifont Street Station to Kalkie Water Treatment Plant to improve the taste and reduce hardness in the coastal water supply
- $135,000 for the installation of underground drainage in Coolanblue Avenue, Innes Park
- $120,000 to construct graded concrete inverts into roadside drainage channels in Masthead Drive, Beach Milieu, Bargara
- $60,000 to construct a footpath on the eastern alignment of Hughes Road from Causeway Drive to the child care centre (Money’s Creek floodway)
- $20,000 for the installation of kerb & channel at the northern end of Davidson Street (eastern alignment)
These are just some of the approved projects however the list does not include many other ‘routine’ jobs including road pavement re-seals, smaller sections of footpaths, parks & gardens upgrades, drainage repairs, etc.
We didn’t get everything that I had hoped for and there was some serious competition for many projects from across the region during our debates. Given the significant cut in State & Federal funding over past years it was understandable that numerous cuts had to be made and I’m reasonably satisfied with the allocations for Division 5.
My only real concern is that the adopted 3 year Capital Roads & Drainage Budget sees the allocation of a further $2.7M for the Barolin Street upgrade in the 2016/2017 financial year which to my mind, fails to gain a priority over a number of alternative and more pressing projects.