Council will undertake a number of key projects and works in the western suburbs during the next 12 months following the delivery of the city’s 2023/24 Budget by Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner today.
In a budget where 87% of Council’s $4 billion plus spend will be allocated in the suburbs, a number of important local road, drainage, parks and reserves initiatives will be delivered in the next year.
From a city perspective, the Budget highlights include:
- An $80 million package to relieve cost of living pressures
- A rates increase of less than half the current rate of inflation for Brisbane
- A reduction in the annual green waste recycling bin fee from $93 to $45
- A $192 million subsidisation of public transport costs across the city
The Lord Mayor has also committed funding to commence planning for the eventual transformation of the Mount Coot-tha quarry into greenspace for recreational opportunities.
Local budget highlights include:
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
A number of local roads in all areas of the Ward will receive funding for improvements next year. They include:
- Construction of the Kenmore Road corridor safety improvements – $586,000
- Culvert improvements on Pacey Road, Upper Brookfield – $175,000
- Upgrading kerbing and channelling on Else Avenue, Pullenvale – $45,000
ROAD RESURFACING
Major road resurfacing will be undertaken at:
- Kenmore Road from Kersley Road to Gem Road ($465,000)
- Savages Road, Brookfield from house number 300 to the end of the road ($272,000)
- Kangaroo Gully Road, Anstead between numbers 441 and 564 Kangaroo Gully Road ($183,000)
- Chatburn Street from Tillbrook Street to Greenford Street ($117,000).
Other local roads to receive funding for resurfacing will be:
- Arabilia Close, Chapel Hill from Birchley Street to the end of the cul de sac ($47,000)
- Illabo Court, Karana Downs from Bundoora SDrive to the end of the cul de sac ($57,000)
- Mahonia Street, Bellbowrie from Serissa Street to Kerria Street ($65,000)
- O’Connnell Close, Bellbowrie from Stanaway Place to the end of the cul de sac ($85,000)
SAFETY INITIATIVES
The major initiative to be funded next year is for footpath and bikeway construction near Chapel Hill State School, from Kirkdale Road to the northern side school crossing.
MEMORIALS
Funding has been secured to honour the 50th anniversary of the death of two Army personnel tragically killed assisting local residents at Bellbowrie during the 1974 flood. The memorial will be built at Booker Place Park near the existing ANZAC memorial and will be unveiled in January 2024.
PARKS
The majority of funding in next year’s Pullenvale Ward Suburban Enhancement Fund will go towards improvements in local Council parks.
I am working with Council officers to determine our priorities and where outdated facilities and equipment needs to be replaced, and will announce those individually as they are confirmed.
Separately, about $100,000 will be spent on improvements at Cicada Park, Chapel Hill. That will include a basketball hoop, a climbing structure and additional seating around the playground equipment.
CONSERVATION RESERVES
A total of $220,000 has been allocated for the installation of 572 metres of fencing along the road frontage and 606 metres of along the river to separate the Marstaeller Road and adjoining private properties.
A further $128,000 has been allocated for the construction of a firebreak to provide access and protection below the Mount Coot-tha lookout.
And a total of $92,000 has been allocated for the development of a signage plan for Dandy’s Range, Kholo, Shelly Road and Changing Mountain reserves. This will include the installation of entry and ID, wayfinding and orientation, regulatory and interpretive signage.
FESTIVALS
Four local community festivals will again receive funding this year. They are Brookfield Bush Christmas, the Brookfield Show, Kenmore Community Carols and the Mount Coot-tha Songwriters Festival.
KERBSIDE COLLECTION
Kerbside collection will continue in 2023/24. The dates for local collections for local suburbs will be confirmed and announced soon.
SUMMARY
I commend the Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner for delivering a responsible, balanced Brisbane City Council Budget for the coming year, in challenging circumstances.
He has again placed the suburbs front and centre in his spending priorities and introduced measures to help ease cost of living pressures residents across Brisbane are facing.