Who’s Who in 22, Government Gurus: Yvonne Barlow

This year, Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Yvonne Barlow has delivered funding for significant road upgrades, sporting facilities and environmental initiatives in Division 7.

Council’s 2022/23 Budget included funding for critical road projects and improvements to community facilities.

There was a combined total of almost $7.2 million to kick-start a bigger $82.4 million upgrade of Old Gympie Rd.

Work has begun on the project, which will be completed in stages, starting with the Old Gympie Rd intersection with Boundary Rd at Dakabin.

In the coming 12 months, residents will see new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and landscaping, which will improve safety, increase traffic flow and reduce delays.

Work has started on other sections of Old Gympie Rd, with design work and moving services such as powerlines, drainage and fences.

Construction will also be completed in stages, with upgrades at major intersections, traffic lights, widening from two to four lanes, bike lanes and drainage improvements.

Cr Barlow said the work would make a big difference to traffic flow.

A big-ticket item in the budget was the upgrade for Alma Rd, Dakabin, starting with the Marsden Rd intersection.

There is $1.3 million budgeted to install traffic lights, add traffic lanes and median strips between lanes, construct bike lanes and complete the work with landscaping.

The Federal Government has committed to funding part of this project, which is expected to be finished in two or three years.

In March, the Kallangur Scout Den was finished and the focus has now shifted to ensuring the Little Athletics and soccer clubs have the same access to modern and fit-for-purpose facilities.

The Budget included initial funding of $185,000 as part of a bigger $3.5 million project for a multi-purpose building at the reserve, a storage shed, lighting, turf, irrigation, seating, gazebos and landscaping.

The two big projects at the reserve are the $1 million multi-purpose building with a kiosk, public amenities, office and storage space and a 3000sqm parkland space with signage, pathways, seating and barbecue shelters.

It’s the first phase of a staged John Oxley Reserve Master Plan that will make sure the reserve meets the future demands of the growing community.

Cr Barlow said there was funding for playground equipment, amenities and picnic sites along Fresh Water Creek at Kallangur, fitness equipment at Garrong Reserve, Dakabin, and tree planting and wildlife fencing at Black Duck Creek at Murrumba Downs.

About Yvonne Barlow

Yvonne Barlow was elected during a by-election in late 2021, following the resignation of sitting councillor Denise Sims

She has lived in Division 7 for more than 30 years and ran on a platform of addressing parking issues due to narrow streets, hosting more community events and listening to residents’ needs. Also vowed to upgrade Alma Rd and to beautify the streetscape in Kallangur.

Cr Barlow is a member of the LNP but ran as an independent.

She previously worked as a real estate agent and was a Pine Rivers Shire Councillor from 1997 for 11 years.