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Getting Redlands Coast moving again
Jobs, essential infrastructure and community services are at the heart Redland City Council's $327 million COVID-affected budget for 2020-21.
Redland City Council is making a massive capital injection into the city aimed at generating and preserving local jobs and adding to and sustaining vital community infrastructure and services. More than half of Council’s projected record capital spend this financial year will go towards transport and traffic solutions, with a dozen big-ticket projects and programs alone costing more than $30 million.
Mayor Karen Williams said Council would also continue to work with the state and federal governments to bring forward further funding for a multimillion-dollar catalogue of other shovel ready road and transport infrastructure projects to bolster its $327 million budget for 2020-21. “Right now we need money spent in our city and, with Council being one of Redland Coast’s largest employers, we are taking up the challenge by ensuring local money creates local jobs,” Cr Williams said. “Council has been diligent in maintaining low levels of debt and a strong balance sheet over the years in preparation for a rainy day and the rain has arrived, so with local businesses struggling we are going to spend local to keep locals employed.” There is a strong focus on active transport options, with more than $5.8 million directed at footpaths and cycleways alone to make it easier for the community to leave the car at home and get on their bikes or head out for walks. The $80 million in budgeted capital expenditure is expected to hit a record of more than $90 million once carry-over funds and anticipated state and federal assistance is factored in. “More than $9 million will be injected into the city’s Road Renewal Program,
with $1.8 million going to Regional Road Alliance Program projects and another $1.7 million to the Roads to Recovery Program," Cr Williams said. “Another $1.5 million will go towards our bus shelter and seat renewal program and $525,000 for the Cleveland Rail bus station. We want to encourage more residents to use public transport than just have machines laying bitumen. “Our island communities will benefit from the start of a $28.6 million two-year project to upgrade the jetties, gangways and pontoons at Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands, with $3.5 million for the Russell island project. “At Weinam Creek, the gateway to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, we have dedicated $3.4 million for the carpark development, and we have committed another $1.5 million to the sealing of island roads."
A Budget for the times
What’s in Redland City Council’s record $327 million budget for 2020-21
Capital works program $80 million
Aimed at generating and preserving local jobs.
Pensioner rebates $3 million
Including $335 for full pensioners and $167.50 for part-pensioners, plus another $467,000 in other utility charge rebates.
Average general rates increase 62¢ a week
For an average owner-occupier in rating category 1a (excluding State Government water and waste charges), with the:
Environment separate charge 4.7% Landfill remediate charge almost 26%
Parks and sportsgrounds $13.8 million
Including playgrounds, recreation parks, tracks and trails and sporting facilities.
Transport, paths and roads $30 million
Including active transport initiatives, footpaths, cycleways, road renewal, trac infrastructure and major projects.
COVID-19 safety net $3 million
Including $1 million in 2020-21 to directly support Redlanders, businesses and community groups.
Island projects $11.1 million
As part of a total allocation of $21.6 million to care for Redlands Coast island communities.
Marine and foreshore $10.2 million
For marine and foreshore projects, including canal and breakwater works.
Water, waste and wastewater $12.7 million
Including signicant system upgrades, adding to the combined $123.5 million operational budgets.
Community services and facilities $2 million
Including libraries, galleries, the Donald Simpson Centre and Redlands Performing Arts Centre. That’s on top of the $17 million need to operate them.
