MARK EDWARDS DISCUSSES THE 2023-24 REDLANDS CITY COUNCIL BUDGET AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR ISLANDS
By Cr Mark Edwards Redland City Council has handed down its 2023/24 record $430 million budget. To fund the budget, rates account for only 28% of the income with the rest of the money coming from utility fees, water, grants, interest on investments, borrowings, sale of plant and equipment and other similar sources. The rate income covers slightly more than the employee costs. However, with the other sources of income, Council has kept the average rate rise below the blended consumer price index. This year’s budget sees a welcome return to the sealing of the island roads as well as other islands specific investment. $300,000 has been allocated to complete the islands’ ferry terminals and a further $300,000 to complete the roadside interchange at all the islands. At Weinam Creek a further $8,600,000 has been allocated to complete the new road network which will then lead to construction of the multi-level car park. $85,000 has been allocated to provide high tech solar bins for Macleay and Karragarra Island. I understand that these bins have 8 times the capacity of the existing bins and will reduce the potential overflowing that is seen on some occasions. The Lamb Island transfer station will have a $110,000 renewal and $250,000 has been allocated to renew Centre Road on Russell Island. I know many residents will be pleased to see this. A massive $1,082,000 has been earmarked for a seawall at Rocky Point following some permit delays and I hope this will be delivered this financial year. This is something that has been wanted for a while and I am pleased to advise that $70,000 has been allocated to build a disability access at the water at Pats Park Macleay Island. This has been asked requested for some time and I’m glad it will be delivered before I retire. The residents of Ray Street will be happy that their street is also going to be sealed! Speaking of roads, there are some roads that experience minor flooding and land needs to be purchased to allow for drainage and the budget has catered for this. Karragarra residents are aware of the foreshore erosion and I’m pleased to say that $448,000 has been allocated for protection of this foreshore. Ray Street is not the only street to be sealed as a couple of million dollars will seal the following streets: MACLEAY ISLAND: Ilya Street from Kate Street to 28 Beelong Street, Kardinia Street to Ilya Street, Aruma Street, Garnet Street (Coast Road to number 20), Daku Court, Bahah Street, Allambie Street, Coran Street, Peter Court, Jordan Street, Frenchem Terrace, Lonicera Street, Thomas Street, Donald Street, Barry Street, Con Street, Columbia Street, Percival Street, Cowes Street, Heath Street. RUSSELL ISLAND: The Boulevard, Crescent Drive, Catamaran Street, Trimaran Street, Aranda Street, Baguette Street, Tails Street, Gunsynd Street, Todman Street, Tulloch Street, Alstonia Street, Aralia Street, Ellis Street, Richardson Street and Kift Street. I’d like to place some caveats around this list based on some past experience. Sometimes streets around those being sealed that have not been mentioned may be sealed if it is cost effective to do at the same time whilst the crews are there and they have extra materials. They may be short streets with few houses. I have also seen in the past that a street that is listed for sealing is not sealed in that financial year when an unexpected issue arises that requires more funding. This happened to a street on Macleay several years ago but was sealed the following year with more budget allocated. This is not an exhaustive list of works for the islands, because there is funding city wide for projects which the islands may benefit from, such as footpaths. It does give an indication of the substantial funding going back to the islands along with the continued existing services of garbage collection, mowing, maintenance etc. Also the budget is reviewed during the year for projects across the city including the islands