Roads and transport feature in $42M capital works program

Council’s $160 million budget includes an ambitious $42 million capital works program. 

The budget features a strong focus on roads in response to feedback from residents during the budget consultation.

$17.8 million has been set aside for roads and transport, including $5.3 million for the annual road reseal program.

Mayor Clare Stewart said a strong focus on roads responded to feedback from residents during the budget consultation.

“Increased investment in roads emerged as a key priority for our community and so we’re pleased to answer those calls for more funding with this budget,” Cr Stewart said.

“$2.2 million of the reseal budget will be directed to hinterland roads, in addition to $450,000 which we’ll spend to improve our gravel roads, plus we’ve budgeted $1.6 million for hinterland bridge renewals.”

There’s just under $1.3 million to upgrade Federal’s Middle Creek Road and $2 million this budget for the Beckmans Road upgrade.

“We’ve set aside $520,000 for traffic management initiatives to help bust congestion, including a continuation of the weekend free bus trial,” Cr Stewart said.

There’s also funding to explore the possibility of upgrading the Noosa Woods jetty to create an alternative ferry stop.

“We’ll examine the role it might play within our Sustainable Transport Strategy to improve connectivity and get more people out of cars and on to alternative modes of transport,” the Mayor said.

“We’ll also be investing in a needs-assessment study for Noosa Leisure Centre. Our community’s needs have changed in the years since it opened so this will help determine what changes we may need to make.”

The budget includes funding to renew the Peregian Beach Skate Park, improve Noosa District Sports Complex and upgrade the Sundial Park BMX track.

“We’re also boosting maintenance across the hinterland, with an extra $600,000 this budget for more frequent hinterland road verge mowing and pathway cleaning,” the Mayor said.

The budget features a $7.8 million investment in environment and waste resource recovery initiatives, with just over $4.3 million to expand the Eumundi-Noosa Road landfill cells.

“Our pathway network and boardwalks are in line for a range of renewal works and other improvements, such as new lighting, as well as the construction of missing links, with $2.39 million budgeted.

“We will also continue the Noosa Hinterland Trail 5 upgrade project with $1.1 million set aside for that this year.”

The Mayor said the budget consisted of $23.5 million for projects being delivered over multiple years, $11.7 million for renewal programs and $6.7 million for new projects.

“We’re fortunate to have received $14.1 million from state and federal grants to assist with a range of initiatives included in this budget, which is great news for our community.

“The big capital program this year is also a great boost for our local economy with the significant Council spend helping support local jobs and businesses,” the Mayor said.