Div 11: Staying ahead of the game

Published 17 June 2022

Community comes first in Division 11, with this year’s record $259 million capital works program dedicated to building new community hubs, investing in grassroots sports, focusing on upgrades to our road network and improving local playgrounds.

Cr Darren Grimwade said he had heard the concerns of locals who want to ensure their lifestyle is protected as the region’s population grows, and that’s exactly what this Budget delivers.

“We’ve heard loud and clear through the Moreton Says Survey that locals want Council to change its priorities to better protect our environment and improve the efficiency of road networks before we hit our population forecasts,” he said.

“So we’re ramping-up our enormously successful land buyback program, so we can protect more natural areas from development.

“This will see the environmental component of the Regional Infrastructure and Environment charge increase by $6 this year ($22 in 2022-23 from $16 in 2021-22) which gives us a green war chest for strategic land acquisitions and tree plantings.

“I can’t wait to open the brand-new $1.96 million community hall at Camp Constable in Mt Glorious, which will include a play area for kids.

“Samford’s getting a $1.3 million ‘village make-over’ to enhance the contemporary rural character of this charming enclave with new landscaping, paving, and street installations along Main Street. 

“And I can reassure the 600 locals who provided feedback on this streetscaping project, that we are absolutely acting on your calls for more car parking in the village, with Council investing $800,000 to build a new carpark next to Alan Cash Park (behind the Farmers Hall) with federal government funding.

“This will make the village more accessible and provide more parking for residents, as well as constructing a laneway to link the new carpark to Main Street’s shops and businesses.

“The Dayboro Swimming Pool will soon have a much-needed safe play area for toddlers with $350,000 for a new ‘zero depth splash pad’ thanks to federal government funding. This is something families and carers have been asking for and we hope will introduce toddlers to water in a safe and enjoyable way.

“The Council building on Williams Street at Dayboro will also see renewal works addressing structural issues to keep this valued heritage building in good working order for decades to come.

“Narangba is the big winner with a massive $6 million investment program for the intersection upgrade of Oakey Flat Road with Young Road, outside the Narangba Heights Estate.

“This is a critical project that the community has been calling for and will ensure that the hundreds of families and kids living in the recently constructed residential estates west of Oakey Flat Road, can safely cross this busy road with dedicated pedestrian crossing lights incorporated into the final design.

“Also in Narangba we’ll be constructing a half-basketball court at the Williamina Sports Complex, which I’m proud we are delivering for local families who’ve called for more recreational infrastructure in their neighbourhood and will compliment the recently completed playground at this location.

“This is a record Budget, but at its heart these investments are all directed at projects that will enhance our villages, townships and suburbs.

“Which is my driving motivation for the years ahead, to ensure we are continually investing in the character and identity of our unique communities as the population grows.”

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 11

• $6 million to upgrade the intersection of Young Road and Oakey Flat Road
• $1.3 million for streetscaping and beautification works along the Main Street of Samford Village
• $1.22 million for safety upgrades to Mount Nebo Road, Mount Nebo
• $800,000 to construct a new carpark next to Alan Cash Park in Samford Village, with federal government funding
• $793,000 for curve upgrading to Mount Nebo Road at the Goat Track
• $650,000 for road improvements and upgrades to Cedar Creek Road
• $550,000 to complete works at the Camp Constable Community Hall, Mount Glorious
• $535,000 for wetland construction at the Williamina Sports Ground, Narangba
• $450,000 for an upgrade to the council building in Dayboro
• $350,000 to construct a zero depth splash pad at the Dayboro Swimming Pool with federal government funding

Video transcript