Div 1: Budget to delivers more ‘great places’ in Division 1

Published 17 June 2022

Division 1: Bribie jetty and Pumicestone passage at sunset

If there’s a place in Moreton Bay that captures the title of Council’s new corporate plan: ‘Great Places and Natural Spaces’, Councillor Brooke Savige reckons it’s Division 1.

Which is why Budget 2022-23 is a strategic investment in lifestyle, to protect the local character and environment in the face of population growth.

“I’m pleased to say that Council’s 2022/23 Budget will be adding to our list of great public places, with streetscaping and revitalisation projects, while also ensuring essential infrastructure like roads and footpaths continue to receive the attention expected by the community,” Cr Savige said.

“I’m excited to say that the Bongaree Jetty precinct and streetscape will see some much needed investment to retain its important tourism role.

“First Avenue will be getting a $935,000 facelift including a new-look intersection, landscaping, pathway lighting upgrades, new street furniture and wayfinding signage,” she said.

“Located adjacent the iconic Bongaree Jetty, the intersection at Welsby Parade is arguably one of the most well-known and used by both locals and visitors alike, so it’s important to create an attractive streetscape that better connects the foreshore parkland and surrounding businesses to car parking.

“Nearby Brennan Park will get a $1.1m upgrade to maintain its reputation as a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, and I thank the many community members who shared their thoughts and suggestions as part of the community engagement process.

“Among the improvements will be new seating, picnic facilities and play walls, upgrades to park pathways and garden beds, as well as a new play facility for teenagers to enjoy - so the whole family will be able to spend the day together down here.

“And thanks to support provided by the Australian Government, Banksia Beach’s Cosmos Park will be transformation to the tune of $1.45m. 

“Its new playground, exercise equipment, half-basketball court, landscaping, seats and drinking fountains will deliver yet another outdoor recreation option for families to enjoy.

“The Australian Government is also supporting the creation of an additional 72 car parks, as well as new landscaping, lighting and fencing, at the Bribie Island Sports Complex in line with the site’s master plan.

“Also thanks to federal funding we will be getting $100,000 worth of new exercise equipment at Oxley Place Park at Sandstone Point as well as the construction of a $150,000 playground along Corymbia Way in Banksia Beach.”

Cr Savige said more than $1.3m would be spent resurfacing over 4.2km of roads across Division 1, with works at Donnybrook Road at Toorbul, Oxley Way at Woorim and Leahy Road at Caboolture among the 14 projects.

“Next year’s traffic and transport projects include a new raised pedestrian crossing at Sunderland Drive and Faraday Street, Bellara, as well as relocating the bus lay over and installing a new pedestrian crossing outside the Bribie Cove Aged Care and Retirement Village,” Cr Savige said.

“We are also continuing to roll out improvements to our footpath network.  In fact, the Moreton Says survey respondents highlighted improving the quality and suitability of footpaths for all people was the biggest thing council could do to encourage more active travel options in the community.

“Approximately 790m of footpath will be replaced along the Toorbul foreshore, from Freeman Road to Carnegie Street, while at Woorim a 335m stretch along the eastern side of North Street between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue will be replaced.

“I am pleased to say we’ll also be filling the 330m missing link on the Gidya Avenue pathway at Bongaree, and completing the 575m footpath along Bestmann Road East at Sandstone Point to provide a safe connection to nearby bus stops and encourage walking and cycling.

“When it comes to great places, the coastline and our waterways are certainly part of that mix in Division 1.

“Budget 2022/23 will mark the start of the replacement of the pontoons on the Bongaree Jetty, including repairs to the existing pontoon piles aiming to be completed in 2023/24. 

“Other coastal works include the establishment of a new 35 metre groyne at Sunset Park at Banksia Beach, to help reduce the accumulation of sand at the southern entrance to Pacific Harbour, and the replacement of the existing seawall west of the Toorbul Community Centre.

“We’re also investing in the care of local environmental areas by installing access stairs ($275k) at Buckleys Hole, installing a floating litter trap at Sylvan Beach ($128k) and creating two new access tracks to assist maintenance of the Bibimulya Wetland at Bellara.”

Budget 2022-23 delivers a record $259 million capital works program to provide the infrastructure and investments locals have told us they want to see in their communities, via feedback in the Moreton Says survey. This Council wants to ensure our priorities align with our community’s values.

Budget Highlights for Division 1

  • $1.45m for park upgrades at Cosmos Park, Banksia Beach
  • $1.3m for road resurfacing
  • $1.1m for the upgrade of Brennan Park, Bongaree
  • $1m for a car park upgrade at Bribie Island Sports Complex in Bongaree with funding from the federal government
  • $935,000 for intersection works and placemaking enhancements to First Avenue/Welsby Parade
  • $450,000 to upgrade amenities at Anzac Memorial Park, Bongaree
  • $275,000 for park upgrades at Sylvan Beach Boat Ramp precinct
  • $265,000 to provide staircase access to Buckleys Hole Conservation Park, Bongaree
  • $250,000 to renew water services at the Bongaree Caravan Park
  • $205,000 for a fire services upgrade at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
  • $100,000 for new exercise equipment at Oxley Place Park, Sandstone Point
  • $150,000 to construct a playground along Corymbia Way, Banksia Beach.
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