Moreton Bay Regional Council Budget: Divisions 10, 11, 12 highlights

Division 10

Councillor Matt Constance (Div 10) says there’s a focus on connecting and recreational footpath projects, strategies to help protect local wildlife and plenty of free events in local parks to combat cost-of-living pressures. 

“The great thing about living in The Hills District is that you have all the services and infrastructure of living in an urban centre while feeling connected to our beautiful local environment,” he says. 

“This year’s budget will help locals get out and about and closer to nature by investing in over 1.5km of missing link pathways across Division 10. 

“That includes a new footpath along Pylara Crescent in Ferny Hills to help promote safe walking to the nearby Patricks Road State School.”

Cr Constance says a new fauna crossing on Bunya Rd and planning for more at the Jinker Track and Everton Hills will help keep wildlife safer.

He says free events such as Music in the Park, the Hills Carnivale, and Movie in the Park will help keep children entertained, as will a region-wide playground infrastructure renewal. 

“But you might want to book a babysitter for the Jazz and Shiraz event that will be back in 2024 at George Willmore Park where you can enjoy live music and a responsible drink from a fully licensed outdoor bar.”

Cr Constance says soccer field 3 at James Drysdale Reserve will be upgraded to regulation size and the playing surface and drainage will be upgraded to improve conditions for the Pine Hills Football Club. 

“Albany Creek Leisure Centre and Ferny Hills Swimming Pool will undergo some significant behind the scenes upgrades to make sure they’re safer and more reliable pools for locals to use,” he says. 

“You’ll be able to get around the region even easier too with work starting on the $4 million Gordon Rd and Ferny Way intersection upgrade, as well as over $1.5 million worth of road resurfacing across Division 10.” 

Budget highlights for Division 10:

• $4 million to upgrade the intersection of Gordon Rd and Ferny Way
• $1.7 million to renew and extend James Drysdale Reserve soccer field
• $1.5 million for the Old Northern Rd skate park renewal
• $300,000 for James Drysdale Reserve fitness equipment installation
• $200,000 to construct a path at Illawarra St, Everton Hills
• $200,000 to upgrade the intersection of South Pine and Plucks roads
• $170,000 to construct a path at Pylara Crescent, Ferny Hills

Division 11

Upgrades for playgrounds and sports facilities and road, footpath and flood recovery projects are among the work in the pipeline for Division 11 in the coming financial year.

Councillor Darren Grimwade says there is a swathe of projects in Division 11, from Samford Valley and Mount Nebo in the south, up through Armstrong Creek to Ocean View in the north, Narangba in the east, and everything in between. 

“Division 11 is one of the largest and most diverse areas of Moreton Bay, each community with their own unique demographics, needs and wants,” he says. 

“We promised that Dayboro would be next in line for beautification works and we’re delivering by reshaping and resurfacing 18,000sqm of turf and improving drainage at the Dayboro Showgrounds,” Cr Grimwade says.

“Planning will begin to bring the Dayboro town centre up to modern standards too with a new civic area that will include an event space, picnic settings, play equipment, amenities, and landscaping. 

“Design work will also begin for an overhaul of the skate park at Roderick A Cruice Park. 

“There are playground and park upgrades scheduled right across the region with works beginning on the massive new Samford Village Green space that will make Samford an even better destination to picnic and enjoy local events within the beautiful surroundings of the valley.”

Cr Grimwade says a needed new amenities block and water tank will be built at Andy Williams Park in Cedar Creek, while play equipment at Cockatoo Crescent in Narangba will be upgraded. 

“Construction or planning will begin on roughly 3km worth of missing link footpaths and footpath renewals across Division 11, including an important 300m stretch along Winn Rd, Mount Samson between Kundes and Andrew roads to greatly improve safety for school kids at Mount Samson State School. 

“We’ve allocated $3.7 million for road resurfacing projects, as well as many flood recovery projects including major landslip repairs at Mount Brisbane Rd, Mount Pleasant, Mayfield Rd, Samford Valley and the Goat Track.”

Gravel roads including Wirth Rd at Laceys Creek and Clifford and Rahes roads at Mount Pleasant will be sealed, while Mount Nebo Rd will have blackspot upgrades at two sections to improve safety for locals and tourists who are unfamiliar with the area. 

“Narangba residents will see $800,000 invested into the final design of the Young Rd and Oakey Flat Rd signalised intersection.”

Budget highlights for Division 11:

• $1.7 million to renew the retaining wall at Jagera Court, Closeburn
• $1.1 million for road rehabilitation at Mount Samson Rd, Closeburn
• $800,000 to design the Young and Oakey Flat roads intersection upgrade
• $442,000 to construct a path on Winn Rd at Mount Samson
• $400,000 for a blackspot road upgrade on Mount Nebo Rd, Mount Nebo
• $400,000 to upgrade the causeway on Hansen Rd at Yugar
• $345,000 for Samford Showgrounds amenities construction
• $250,000 for Dayboro War Memorial Grounds soccer field lighting

Division 12

Gravel road sealing projects, completing missing link footpaths and upgrades to parks and playgrounds around the region are the focus in Division 12 for the coming year. 

Councillor Tony Latter says the projects will help bring Division 12 up to modern standards while preserving the things locals love. 

“Division 12 extends from Morayfield all the way out past Woodford and it’s fast becoming a popular area for people of all walks of life to settle down and enjoy our beautiful region,” he says. 

“That means our infrastructure, services and facilities need upgrading to keep up with the modern-day expectations and that starts with our roads and footpaths. 

“We’re sealing roughly 1.7km of gravel roads at Cove Rd, Commissioners Flat; Old Gympie Rd, Elimbah and Mole St, Wamuran - and we’ll start design work for many more to be delivered the following year. 

“We have four truck turnaround projects that will be completed next financial year across Mount Mee, Wamuran and Rocksberg to allow our Cleanaway garbage trucks to service those areas more efficiently. 

“Road rehabilitation projects are also important for our region with plenty of projects lined up for next financial year, including 1.1km of Kirby Rd, Elimbah to make it a more consistent surface and reduce dust issues for local residents.”

More than 1km of new footpaths at Nairn Rd, Morayfield will be built and new playground and park upgrades are planned.

“We will be constructing a new pump track for people of all skill levels to ride their BMX, skateboards, scooters or rollerblades at Tilney Park, Woodford, as well as starting plans to turn it into a district-level park for residents to enjoy,” Cr Latter says.

“There are playground upgrades at Morris Park, Elimbah, Rangeview Park, Wamuran and Coronation Ave, Woodford for new equipment that will make them more usable and fun for kids to enjoy. 

“Community consultation will begin on major plans to build a new district-level park at Campbells Pocket Road, Wamuran.” 

Cr Latter says the park will likely include a new playground, picnic areas, open spaces, and a dog off-leash area and the community will be able to have input via the Your Say Moreton Bay website. 

“The Caboolture Regional Environment Education Centre (CREEC) will also receive a major $1.5 million upgrade, which includes new play equipment, shelter and barbecue areas, amenities and more car parking to make it an even better destination to take the kids locally.”

Budget highlights:

• $1.5 million for a CREEC Environmental Centre park upgrade
• $900,000 to improve Kirby Rd, Elimbah
• $540,000 for pump track construction at Tilney Road Park, Woodford
• $380,000 for pathway construction at Nairn Rd, Morayfield
• $350,000 for preliminary site planning investigations at Waraba district sports park
• $200,000 on playground renewal for Beech Drive Park, Morayfield
• $178,000 to seal Cove Rd at Commissioners Flat