Community Infrastructure Fund projects: Gateways to Moreton Bay initiative

28th April 2009

Project total: $7.3m

Council funding: $3.4m

Federal government

Community Infrastructure Fund: $2.5m (announced by Federal Small Business Minister Craig Emerson)

Scope: Improvements to four regional parks:

• Capalaba Regional Park
• Cleveland Point Reserve
• Victoria Point Reserve
• Wellington Point Reserve

Background

• Work is due to start in July 2009.
• The reserves are about 14km apart along the coast and offer different coastal and recreational experiences, with Capalaba Regional Park as an inland gateway around 12km away.
• Community engagement was undertaken to ascertain community priorities and develop master plans for each reserve.
• All three reserves are characterised by high and growing visitor numbers, aging infrastructure, and competing recreational users.
• The Gateways to Moreton Bay project offers the unique opportunity to develop all three reserves, providing improved recreational and leisure opportunities along the coastline. The upgrade of these reserves will also enhance the linkages provided by the Moreton Bay Cycleway.
• Upgrades across the four parks will include foreshore lighting, reconfiguration of car parks, new picnic facilities including shelters, barbecues, tables and seating, additional playground equipment etc.
• Council initially applied for $2.5m from the federal government. The Community Infrastructure Fund was then increased, and Council resubmitted its application with a revised figure of $3.8m. Council may now seek alternative funding sources or redesign aspects of the project to accommodate the $1.3m difference in the revised project cost.

Mayor Melva Hobson has welcomed the funding support.

“The three waterfront reserves and the Capalaba Regional Park are iconic gateways to Moreton Bay and are incredibly popular with locals and visitors,” she said.

“Through master planning, we can ensure each park meets the needs of its particular location, as well as offering a continuity of experience across all four public spaces.

“We appreciate the federal government’s recognition of the importance of these spaces to the Redlands and wider community, and welcome their investment in our city.”