Moreton Bay Regional Council Budget 2023/24: Divisions 1, 2, 3 highlights

Division 1

Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) says the 2023-24 Budget has a focus on providing locals with low-cost and free events, better parks and sports facilities, and improved community infrastructure.

 “At Banksia Beach, the tennis courts at Cosmos Park and the Cook Park basketball court are set for makeovers, and our skaters and scooter riders will be pleased to know construction will begin for the Verdoni Street Skate Park upgrades,” Cr Savige says.

 “$4.6 million is allocated to over 10 park updates in Division 1 alone this financial year, including new playground equipment across parks at Banksia Beach and Ningi, and accessible amenities upgrades at Bongaree, Bellara and Woorim, where $1.4 million is allocated toward a $3 million Changing Places facility with beach wheelchair storage, showers and change rooms. 

 “I’m also excited for the Bellara Foreshore masterplan to come to fruition after some great feedback from our community consultation, with $1.8 million dedicated to the Sylvan Beach Park revamp, jointly funded by the Queensland Government.” 

New pathways will be built at Tully St, Pebble Beach Sportsgrounds and Toorbul Foreshore, as well missing links at Dolphin Drive, Foster St and Goodwin Drive at Bongaree. 

 “Additionally, $6.5 million will be spent to build the new bridge at White Patch, with improved flood immunity to minimise the impacts of future weather events on the access in and out of White Patch, thanks to Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA),” Cr Savige says. 

 “And $1.2 million will be invested in road resurfacing projects in Division 1 alone, providing smoother and safer roads for locals and visitors alike.”

With households feeling rising cost-of-living pressures, council has committed to continue providing

free or low-cost events.

 “I’m pleased to share that Council’s ramped-up events calendar means all your favourite events like Australia Day, Jazz and Shiraz, Movie in the Park and even the Emergency Services Expo will be back bigger and better than ever,” Cr Savige says.  

 “And whether you’re two or 92, our diverse program of cultural activities means there’s something for everyone to enjoy at our local museum or library for free. 

 “Our Healthy and Active Moreton Program will continue to provide fitness, recreation, and sports workshops at low or no cost for all ages and abilities to keep our residents healthy and happy. 

 “That’s on top a raft of investments in new parks, sports facilities, and footpaths to support more active lifestyles for the community.” 

 Budget Highlights for Division 1 

• $6.5 million for the White Patch Esp crossing upgrade* 
• $1.8 million for upgrades to Sylvan Beach Park Precinct, Bellara**  
• $2.5 million for car park and AFL building upgrades at Bribie Island Sports Complex*** 
• $1.4 million towards a $3 million project to build accessible beach amenities at Woorim 
• $1.2 million in road resurfacing  
• $800,000 for a pontoon upgrade at Bongaree Jetty  
• $540,000 Bongaree for new amenities at Anzac Memorial Park  
• $525,000 to upgrade the heating at Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre  
• $200,000 for a boat ramp upgrade at Meldale 

* Funded by Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). 

**With a contribution from the State Govt. COVID Works for Queensland SEQCSP Program 

*** With a contribution from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) and State Govt. COVID Works for Queensland SEQCSP Program

Division 2

Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Mark Booth (Div 2) says the 2023-24 Budget will create opportunities for a healthy and active lifestyle in an economically sustainable way.

“Perhaps the thing I’m most excited about is what we are delivering in Division 2 that will keep the younger kids engaged, active and occupied including some much-needed upgrades at Buchannan Park Burpengary, which will receive a significant playground upgrade as well as enhancing and adding to the beauty and meaning of the ANZAC memorial,” Cr Booth says.

“I’m also extremely excited that this Budget will deliver Moreton Bay’s first mountain bike trails north of the Pine River in Grogan Park, Morayfield.

“This will give people of all ages and abilities even more to do on the weekends locally and is just the first piece of what’s in store for the Grogan Rd precinct over the coming years.

“Symphony Crescent Park basketball court is set to double in size with a second modified half court to be added, and new seating and landscaping will complement last year’s Ninja Warrior style park, which has been a huge hit with our local kids and teens.”

Cr Booth says there is also $890,000 allocated to new pathways in his Division as well as more than $29 million in road resurfacing and rehabilitations planned throughout the region.

He says Council is aware of the impact the cost-of-living pressures are having on local families, so it is making it easier for residents to enjoy life in the suburbs.

“This financial year we’re supporting everything community, sport and healthy and active lifestyles by continuing to deliver programs, services and projects for Division 2 residents, and help ease the cost of living where we can,” Cr Booth says.

“We’ve started by beefing up our events calendar to 47 community events this financial year, so instead of the expense of heading to the city or buying tickets to events and activities outside the region, there is instead a free event in our region almost every week.

“Due to popular demand, we’ve also continued our free Healthy Active Moreton program to get you and your family fit and active as well as making new community connections without costing you a lot.”

Division 2 Budget highlights

• $5.2 million for the design and construction of three soccer fields, field lights and a new car park at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex. *
• $1.5 million for drainage improvement works at Sandy St, Beachmere
• $346,000 for field lighting and CCTV installation at Burpengary Sports Complex
• $355,000 for the Mountain Bike Trail Construction at Grogan Road Park Precinct
• $350,000 towards new playground equipment at Buchanan Park, Burpengary
• $319,000 for a new pathway along Rosehill Drive, Burpengary
• $248,000 construction of up to three legacy projects within the existing football precinct due to facility use after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

*The Federal Government is contributing $3.5M towards this project through a Community Development Grant.

Division 3

Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Adam Hain (Div 3) says the 2023-24 Budget is all about investing in better parks, smoother roads, and more events to help improve the lifestyle of Division 3 locals.
He says he’s long advocated the need for investment in the region’s fastest growing area.
“This financial year, there’s a great focus on delivering infrastructure for our rapidly growing population that will support happy, active and healthy lifestyles for everyone in Division 3,” Cr Hain says.
“That includes awarding the tender and getting construction underway for the highly anticipated $1.75 million Morayfield Sheepstation Creek Skatepark so our skaters, scooter and BMX riders can have top-notch facilities right at their doorstep.
“We’ve allocated funds for future planning of a new district park at Goshawk Court to make sure we have extra playgrounds and open spaces to cater for our growth, and for upgrades to Glasshouse St, Watt St and Elof Rd parks.”
Cr Hain says there will also be $1.8 million in upgrades at Bluebell Street Park which include new fitness equipment, amenities block and the completion of wetlands to improve water quality in the catchment by reducing flooding.

“Council is also continuing to ramp up its investment in delivering more pathways for our residents to get around easier and safer with $6.9 million spread across 17 active transport, footpath and missing link projects in Division 3 alone,” he says.
“That’s on top of a huge investment in roads to keep motorists moving with intersection upgrades in planning or construction phases for Torrens Rd and River Drive, and McKean and Mewett streets.
“William Berry Drive, Caboolture River Rd, Michael Rd and Grant Rd are among many roads being rehabilitated this financial year, and our road resurfacing program will see more than $600,000 spent on smoother roads for locals.”

Councillor Hain said the budget also included a pumped-up events calendar to make it easier for locals to entertain the family without spending a fortune on out-of-town event tickets.
“We know households are feeling the pinch with the rising cost of living, so we’re helping where we can by providing great entertainment locally for you and your family to enjoy for free,” he says.
“There’s a free event almost every weekend across the region, including some of your local favourites like our Family Fun Day, Feats and Beasts, Cruisin’ Caboolture, Movie in the Park, Christmas Carols and of course the Lunar New Year Festival.
“Our popular Healthy and Active Moreton program will continue to provide fitness workshops for people of all ages at low or no cost and there’s heaps of great cultural activities planned at our much-loved Caboolture Hub as Council is set to deliver over 9000 free exhibitions and public programs across the region this financial year.”

Division 3 Budget highlights:

• $2.97 million for road rehabilitation works at Michael Ave, Morayfield
• $2.8 million for upgrade projects at Queensland State Equestrian Centre
• $1.75 million to build a new skatepark at Sheepstation Creek Park
• $1.1 million to upgrade the intersection at Torrens Rd and River Drive
• $1.15 million for the completion of the wetlands at Bluebell Street Park
• $1 million to plan and prepare for a new district park at Goshawk Crt, Caboolture
• $1 million towards the total project cost of $3.5 million to upgrade the William Berry Drive and Dickson Rd intersection, Morayfield