Who’s Who in 22, Government Gurus: Sandra Ruck

This year, Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Sandra Ruck has delivered funding for road, sporting, foreshore and park upgrades in Division 5.

Council’s 2022/23 Budget included significant funding for infrastructure improvements and better amenities.

In April, Cr Ruck and Council celebrated the opening of the new $3.7 million Deception Bay Community Hall, in partnership with the Federal Government. A $300,000 carpark will be added in the coming financial year.

Deception Bay Meals on Wheels has moved into the space, using new kitchen and workspace.

Another key project was $4.5 million for road rehabilitation and an intersection change to Boundary Rd, Narangba.

There was also $910,000 budgeted for road rehabilitation at Moreton Downs Drive, Deception Bay, in a project which includes new roundabouts at Robyn Close, Philip Parade, Camay Court and Kate Ave to improve traffic flow.

Sporting facilities at Government St, Deception Bay, were allocated $600,000 in the Budget for improvements with Council using community feedback to finalise designs for the Deception Bay Skate Park improvement project, which received $1.47 million from the Federal Government.

The upgrades aimed to improve safety and usability of the facility, including new LED lights and integration with smart switching technology across both fields.

Talobilla Park also received a further $1.2 million from Council for new lighting for field two, in partnership with the State Government.

In July, new picnic shelters were installed at Scarborough Beach and in August, the $2.3 million Deception Bay Environmental Hub (stage one) was handed over to the Redcliffe Environmental Forum.

In November, portable CCTV was deployed at the intersection of Boundary Rd and North Ridge Crt, Deception Bay, in response to community concerns about hooning and suspicious behaviour. They were also used at a Deception Bay park earlier in the year.

About Sandra Ruck

Sandra Ruck was elected in 2020 following the retirement of long-time sitting Councillor James Houghton.

Before being elected to Moreton Bay Regional Council, she worked for more than 38 years as a teacher at Redcliffe State High School (24 years), Southern Cross Catholic College (seven years), Caboolture TAFE Library and Australian Trade College. She taught business, French and other subjects.

She has lived, worked and been a ratepayer in the region since 1982 and decided she wanted to have a say in the region’s future.

Cr Ruck was elected on a platform of managing sustainable growth in the region, focusing on economic recovery, improving community planning and balancing tourism growth with community expectations.