Plenty for the hinterland in Council budget

The hinterland will enjoy $5.4M worth of capital infrastructure projects in the Noosa Budget for 2019-20.

Council is set to replace bridges, seal and widen gravel roads, as well as improve hinterland parks.

$1.29M – comprising Council funding and Federal Government grant funding – will go toward further upgrading sections of Black Mountain Road, which will have definite safety benefits for users of the road.

For Boreen Point, $250,000 has been set aside to seal Tewah Street plus $97,000 to seal and upgrade the dirt section of Hector Street. “For some reason, navigation apps tend to direct drivers down these roads if they are heading to Boreen Point Campground,” the Mayor said.

Mayor Tony Wellington said the budget also included $200,000 to seal the steep gravel section of Pomona’s Ambulance Street.

Ageing hinterland bridges are once more in Council’s sights with $200,000 to commence work on the replacement of Kin Kin’s Wahpunga Lane bridge and $100,000 for Cooran’s Tablelands Road bridge.

“In a win for ratepayers, we’ve secured grant funding of $150,000 from the Federal Government toward the $300,000 cost of these bridge projects,” the Mayor said.

The annual road reseal program for sealed roads includes $1.9M dedicated to resurfacing bitumen roads across the hinterland, and Council will also spend $410,000 resheeting various gravel roads.

In Cooran, $65,000 will be spent on further improvements to Pioneer Park, including new BBQ and shelter, landscaping and pathways.

“It will be full steam ahead to develop final designs for the hinterland playground this year, and hopefully we can start tendering for works. This project has $4.7M committed over two years, including the State’s $2.8M contribution.

“Council and SEQwater are jointly funding a new Shade house for the Botanic Gardens, plus we’re investing in new signage and an improved irrigation system to help keep the picturesque asset in top condition,” the Mayor said.

“The hinterland will also benefit from a range of shire-wide projects such as the park furniture, BBQ and shelter renewal programs as well as the bus shelter renewal program.”

“Our hinterland buildings haven’t missed out either, with maintenance funds totalling $261,000 to repaint Tinbeerwah Hall, as well as termite barriers and other works at Cooran Hall, Pomona Gallery, and Pomona Kindy.”

28 June 2019