Who’s Who in 22, Government Gurus: Karl Winchester

This year, Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Karl Winchester has delivered funding for seawall restoration work, a homeless support hub, sporting and park upgrades and Suttons Beach Pavilion in Division 6.

Council’s 2022/23 Budget included $2.2 million toward either retaining or rebuilding the Suttons Beach Pavilion following public support for the much-loved structure.

A public campaign by the Save Suttons Beach Pavilion group culminated in more than 23,000 signatures on paper and online petitions, which Cr Winchester presented to Council in March.

Engineering investigations are continuing with consultants assessing the extent of the damage likelihood/cost of repair and a report expected in early 2023.

With Petrie Federal LNP MP Luke Howarth unable to deliver on his election promise of funding to repair or rebuild since the ALP won government, Council will now have to seek support from the state and new federal governments.

This year’s Budget also included $1.5 million to convert the old Pensioners Hall into a homelessness support hub in Redcliffe.

The project will continue into 2023/24 and has $3 million in funding committed from the State's South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program.

Nine netball courts at KR Benson Park were earmarked for a $1.38 million overhaul with support from the State Government.

The Budget also provided $600,000 to upgrade lighting at Ray Frawley Fields, as well as giving the lights at Bradley Park an $800,000 upgrade, with Federal Government funding, and spending $300,000 on playground upgrades at Clontarf’s Pelican Park.

There was also $370,000 allocated towards progressing the Margate Civic District Park development through land acquisition.

Cr Winchester said it was important to traders and local families that Council locked in greenspace while delivering a drawcard in the heart of Margate that might help bring more foot traffic for businesses and provide public space for locals to relax and enjoy a coffee.

About Karl Winchester

Karl Winchester was elected as a Moreton Bay Regional Councillor for Division 6 in 2020, following the retirement of the sitting councillor and his mother Koliana Winchester.

His campaign focused on reforming the planning scheme, building infrastructure to support growth and reducing council costs to households and businesses. At the time of his election, his focus was also supporting the community as it grappled with an escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

The former Redcliffe State High School student is a member of the ALP and former electorate office staffer for State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath.