Next week, the 14th of July will mark three months since the new Council was sworn in and this term commenced. It has been a very unprecedented & busy time, with the Covid-19 issues to deal with and the formation of the 2020/2021 Budget it has been very full on. Despite this, we delivered the Budget last Tuesday the 30/6/2020 in time for the start of the new Financial year. Budget 2020/2021
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on Council operations and finances with Council receiving $2.8 million less revenue due to the Pandemic. Restrictions/measures impacting the region and this years budget will operate with a forecast $5.26 million deficit. However, unless there is another world upheaval of some sort or a second wave of Covid-19 Council will return to a balanced budget in 2021-22 with no increase in borrowings. It’s not all bad news, we did manage to deliver a budget with no increase to General Rates and a stimulus to kick start our local economy. There is also an $83 million capital works program to create jobs and improve and provide infrastructure throughout the region. A snapshot of the budget highlights is below or follow this link to the Bundaberg Regional Council Budget 2020-2021 for more information:
Moore Park Beach Community Area Master Plan
For the last four years I have been pushing to have a Master Plan be developed for Moore Park Beach and I am very happy to be able to announce that this budget included funds for the formation of the Master Plan. The Master Plan will take in the foreshore areas from Lassig Street to Claude Dooley Park and will also include the central area around the hall and oval. We have already started the process, with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council Strategic Project staff and myself walking the entire area a couple of weeks ago and discussing our ideas and vision for the area. This will form the basis of the first draft concept plan that will begin the consultation process. There will be much community consultation involved with developing the plan and we will need everyone in the community to contribute their ideas, vision and views so that the final result is the creation of an area that Moore Park Beach can be proud of and also be a draw card for the region. Tenders have been called for Consultants to help prepare and develop the Master Plan and close at the end of July and as soon as a Consultant is appointed, the process will commence.
Miara Caravan Park Upgrades
Council has carried out extensive upgrades to the Miara Caravan Park in the last couple of months. Playground equipment has been upgraded, picnic shelters and seating has been replaced, internal roads have been sealed and the overall area of the Park has been tidied up and beautified and it all looks great.
Winfield Road Bridge Replacements The two single lane timber bridges on Winfield Road at Possum Creek and Middle Creek which are being replaced with double lane concrete culvert type bridges are progressing well and should be completed very soon. This will improve the safety and accessibility of Winfield Road.
Signage The Bundaberg Region has thousands of various types of signs across all Council facilities and infrastructure. There is a planned process that is followed to ensure that signs are replaced when they need to be and that we get the maximum life possible out of the signs as to ensure value for money. Recently, there have been many signs getting upgraded in Division 1 and range from Park name signs to beach access informative signage.
Pacific Boulevard Bus Shelter In my last report, I mentioned that the bus shelter on Pacific Boulevard at Moore Park Beach had a makeover, with the broken lattice and fibre board being replaced with iron and mesh and that the facility was also planned to have its accessibility issues addressed and rectified. Well this has occurred, and the new footing slab and ramp access has been poured and the shelter is to be moved back on the new footings to allow easy of access. This work is planned to be completed within the next couple of weeks when the concrete footings have cured for long enough to ensure the anchor bolts have enough strength to secure the structure.
Roadworks
There has been numerous amounts of roadworks and improvements carried out across the Division. Foster Drive (Bundaberg North) had had drainage works carried out. Usshers Road (Sharon) has been resealed. Booyan Road (MPB) has had table drain work undertaken. Murdoch’s Linking Road (MPB) has been re-sheeted with gravel and formed up and Sergiacomi Street (Gooburrum) has had a turn around area formed and sealed to allow traffic and the garbage truck to be able to turn around with ease . The Gravel section of Sharon Road (Sharon) has been graded and rolled, and Fairymead Road (Bundaberg North) from Bonney Street to Sauer Street has been re-sealed and lined marked.
As always there is a lot happening and going on in the Division and Region. I am always out and about conducting my regular community catch ups and consultations as time permits. But should you have anything that you would like me to look at and/or discuss with you, just give me a call on 0438 681 189 and we can arrange a time to meet.
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