Budget 2009-10: Park upgrades and more sealed roads for Southern Moreton Bay Islands
26th June 2009
A wide range of infrastructure projects will be delivered on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) through the 2009-10 budget, including $4.3m worth of infrastructure projects.
For an average increase of $12.60 a year in the SMBI differential rate, the communities of Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay and Russell Islands will see a host of improvements to community facilities, marine infrastructure and roads.
Highlights include a $500,000 upgrade to Pat’s Park on Macleay Island, a $180,000 bike path in High St, Russell Island, and a $110,000 footbridge at Attunga Rd on Macleay Island (the latter two projects are funded directly from the SMBI Reserve).
Council has also allocated $290,000 towards community facilities, including $100,000 for sport and recreation projects. The latter includes upgrading sports fields and tennis courts at Pioneer Park on Lamb Island, developing welcome information signage for each island, and creating a community and sporting precinct – including a community garden, sports fields, courts and a community facility – at Kennedy’s Farm on Russell Island.
Major remediation work will also be undertaken at the Macleay Island former landfill.
Approximately 13 roads will be sealed across the four islands in the next 12 months. Nine of these will be funded directly from the SMBI Reserve. All or part of the following roads are scheduled to be sealed in 2009-10:
- Allison Cres/Fernbrook Ave, Russell Island
- Beth St, Russell Island
- Byron St, Russell Island
- Coast Rd, Macleay Island
- Coondooroopa Dr, Macleay Island
- Emily Cres, Macleay Island
- Keates St, Russell Island
- Koonwarra/Barramundi St, Macleay Island
- Melaleuca Dr, Lamb Island
- Oasis St, Russell Island
- Perulpa St, Lamb Island
- Resthaven Dr, Lamb Island
- Vista/Short St, Russell Island
Mayor Melva Hobson said Council had been implementing a new SMBI strategic framework over the past six months to address long-standing infrastructure issues on the islands.
“We’ve formed a new SMBI Communities Advisory Committee, appointed an SMBI Coordinator, and successfully lobbied during the last state government election for a commitment to a partnership approach,” Cr Hobson said.
“Providing quality infrastructure and services to the bay islands remains a high priority for this Council, and applying a differential rate on the islands is one of the key ways we can speed up planned delivery of capital works.
“I’m looking forward to seeing more of these key projects roll out in the new financial year.”
