Div 11: New roads to drive tourism and economic recovery

Published 26 June 2020

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More than $18 million will be invested into major infrastructure projects in Division 11 as part of the Moreton Bay Region’s economic recovery plan in the wake of COVID-19.

Division 11 Councillor Darren Grimwade said spending this year would focus on sporting fields, road upgrades, community facilities and pathways; but Budget 2020-21 also starts planning for a revolution in hinterland tourism.

“The $18 million for Division 11 includes $5.9 million to improve local roads, $3.8 million to build new pathways for pedestrians and cyclists and a new fauna crossing at O’Mara Road in Narangba,” he said.

“We’re also delivering some great new playgrounds and sporting facilities, including $3.6 million to build tennis courts, a clubhouse and a car park at Harris Avenue Sports Complex.

“Coronavirus has reminded us all how important being active is to our physical and mental wellbeing, so to encourage locals to get outdoors we’ve also allocated $1.8 million to build a new community hall in Mount Glorious.

“These projects are about providing Division 11 with great infrastructure to support our great lifestyle while also supporting local jobs and helping the economy recover.”

Councillor Grimwade said he was excited by Council’s ‘Hinterland Trail’ proposal to get more drivers off the Bruce Highway, to explore Moreton Bay Region’s Valleys and mountains.

“It might be a bold ambition, but I think we can make the western belt of Moreton Bay Region the new ‘must see’ destination in southeast Queensland,” he said.

“By building architecturally interesting lookouts and vantage points in iconic locations along the D’Aguilar Ranges, I think we can create attractions that no Instagrammer could resist.

“This is essential to marketing in the digital age - one third of internet users own an Instagram account and 70% of the 95 million photos uploaded to the platform every day are travel-related.

“Travellers now base entire holiday itineraries around amazing photo locations - we already have incredible locations, we just need the infrastructure to showcase it.”

Division 11 Budget Highlights Include:

  • $5.8 million for road and intersection upgrades
  • $3.8 million to build new pathways and pedestrian bridges
  • $3.6 million for new tennis courts, a clubhouse and carpark at Harris Avenue Sports Complex
  • $1.8 million for a new community hall at Camp Constable in Mount Glorious
  • $450,000 for a new carpark at Dayboro War Memorial Grounds (Rugby League)
  • $325,000 for toilets at Stone Ridge Boulevard Park at Narangba
  • $150,000 for upgrades to Westbourne Park at Wights Mountain
  • $140,000 to build a new playground at Camp Constable
  • $100,000 for building upgrades at Williamina Court Sports Complex
  • $100,000 in design works for streetscape upgrades at Samford Village Main Street