Budget 23-24: Almost $40M for 2023-24 capital works projects
Council’s $171 million 2023-24 budget includes a $39.4 million-dollar investment in capital works.
Roads and transport are a big of focus Council's 2023-24 Budget with $10.2 million worth of projects funded.
The significant program is on top of the $80 million suite of flood recovery works, funded by Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
Roads and transport are again the big focus with $10.2 million worth of projects, followed closely by environment, waste and resource recovery programs which will see an $8 million spend.
“Delivering almost $120 million worth of infrastructure projects in just 12 months is no easy feat, but we’re fortunate to have a very skilled infrastructure team that last year delivered a record capital program despite difficult and challenging economic conditions,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.
Road spending includes $2.9 million to replace Garth Prowd Bridge at Noosa Heads, $2 million to replace Black Mountain’s Lawnville Road Bridge and $860,000 for the commencement of renewal work for Tewantin’s Doonella Bridge.
There’s $4.3 million for the shire-wide road reseal program and $475,000 to continue the shire-wide gravel road resheeting program.
The Mayor said a $496,000 investment to build missing links in the hinterland pathway network delivers on an important Walking and Cycling Strategy commitment.
“These links, while each small, have a big impact on the pathway network making it much easier for people to get out and about on foot exploring the hinterland.”
The missing links program forms part of a $1.5 million suite of planned pathway and boardwalk works this year.
“We’re investing around a million dollars into our parks, playgrounds and sports facilities this year, on top of $1.5 million to upgrade public amenities,” Cr Stewart said.
$80,000 will be spent renewing the shire’s public BBQs, with $100,000 to renew park furniture and a further $40,000 for park shelter maintenance.
“This is an investment many people will benefit from as our parks and the equipment within them are enjoyed by locals and visitors all year round,” the Mayor said.
“Noosaville’s Apex Park fitness equipment is incredibly popular, and after heavy use since it was installed a decade ago it’s due for replacement. This year we will spend $131,000 to upgrade it with new and more modern equipment,” Cr Stewart said.
“We’ll be entirely replacing the park furniture at Cooran Park with $75,00 set aside for the job.”
The budget includes $45,000 for the restoration of the Noosa Botanic Gardens wedding chapel, with $61,000 for beach shower renewals and $250,000 to improve beach accesses.
“Waste and resource recovery remain important priorities with a significant investment to expand our landfill and resource recovery centre to keep us up to pace with waste management in the face of the state’s challenging waste diversion targets for local councils,” Cr Stewart said.
The capital program includes $1.2 million to expand the green waste and industrial waste processing and storage areas, and develop a new area for the display, sale and loading of processed and recycled material.
“We’re also fortunate to receive around $8.5 million of our capital spend from state and federal government grants to help use deliver a number of important projects.”
Disaster recovery programs including landslide repairs across Noosa Shire are proceeding under funding arrangements with the State Government, which is separate to Council’s budget process.
BUDGET AT A GLANCE:
- Roads and transport network - $10.23M
- Environment, waste and resource recovery - $8.15M
- Bridges - $6.04M
- Pathways and boardwalks - $1.57M
- Public amenities upgrades - $1.49M
BIG TICKET PROJECTS:
- Shire-wide road reseal program $4.29M
- Eumundi Road landfill expansion and capping - $3.01M
- Garth Prowd Bridge renewal - $2.94M
- Lawnville Road Bridge renewal - $2.08M
- Doonella Street Bridge renewal - $860,000
- Ed Webb Park, Sunshine Beach, upgrade - $609,000
- Noosaville foreshore stormwater renewals - $525,000
- Noosa Heads Dog Beach Sand Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) - $500,000