Airport the biggest winner in council budget
12:00a.m. 3rd July 2008
The Sunshine Coast Airport, sporting facilities, roads and the environment are set to receive a boost under the amalgamated council’s first budget, which will be handed down today.
The airport is by far the biggest winner, scoring $11.7 million.
The money earmarked will provide for air-conditioning, taxiway lights, security screening and road property acquisition in preparation for a major upgrade.
Councillor Christian Dickson said he was more than happy with $4.3 million for a roundabout on Dixon Road and the Sunshine Motorway, and $430,000 pre-construction works at Sippy Downs Drive.
A further $1 million has been allocated to the Chancellor Park lakes redesign and clean-up.
Mr Dickson said while the budget was “very conservative”, his division had emerged with a good share.
“At the moment, we really can’t afford to put rates up anymore,’’ he said.
As expected, there is close to $1.1 million for the Nambour Hub of the Hinterland Project and another $220,000 for beautification works around Division 10, including Mapleton Park, Moss Day Park, Quota Park and Dick Caplick Park in Eumundi.
In Cooroy, the council is likely to provide $2.8 million for stage two of a new library and town square, and a further $5.25 million for land redevelopment around Cooroy and Pomona.
The council has been generous to the northern Division 11, with a number of major projects receiving a funding boost.
The Noosa Heads Visitors Information Centre has been granted a $1 million boost and a further $600,000 goes to Noosa Heads’ Main beach and Hastings Street public amenities. A further $360,000 has been allocated to the division’s cycleways and paths.
Division 3 received very little, with $245,000 for various park beautification works and $130,000 for the Quad Park Aquatic Centre.
All budget items depend on council approval at today’s meeting in Kawana.
> See a full list of the regional council's big-ticket budget items for each division.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council budget
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> Mayor defends landlord rate slug plan
> Coast’s $20m water asset rip-off
> Queensland councils ‘forced to raise rates’
> Community and environment win budget nod
> Budget millions to sport, not Stockland stadium
> Budget best council could offer: Abbot
> Public transport budget boost for Coast
Recent Comments
Not much for paths though. The one from Maleny to Mapleton won't be completed for a while then.
Rates up 10%. Suffer those on fixed or low incomes it’s not Council’s fault!
We are just wasting our money on an Airport! WHY???
Why are they the only Council in Australia owning & running an Airport, why aren’t they getting out of childcare centres and leaving that to the private sector. There are numerous other non core businesses that this Council should get out of before raising rates 10%.
The Council continually whinges about how hard it is to run the overstaffed, inefficient overly beauracratic establishment called council and then blame everyone but themselves and while this is going on they raise the rates by 10%.
The press is swallowing it hook line and sinker.
Make the Council accountable, ask them why they are not offering Voluntary retirement packages, they are allowed to by law.
Lots of questions, too few answers.
AM
Buddina.
Would the council be better to sell the Airport to a private investor and using any money generated from the sale to bluster the reported short fall in its budget? Would the money from this sale be better spent on something like Public Transport which would be of greater benefit to all struggling rate payers of the Sunshine Coast?
until there's a certainty about fuel anything spent on airports and roads is just a waste of money.
Public Transport is NOT a priority when you compare its allocation in this “Regional” budget to other areas.
Make up your own minds, and I quote:
“Along with the Grants Program, Council has allocated funding for key community projects: Public transport projects $170,000……
Major environment spending includes $1.314 million across a range of environment levy-funded projects, $346,000 for implementation of the biodiversity strategy……(The beneficiaries include: the Noosa Biopshere Reserve,)…….
Hastings Street Visitor Information Centre, Council is currently evaluating tenders for the construction of the $1.6m visitor information….centre at Hastings Street. Funding for this project includes $650,000 from the state….government. The centre is due to open late 2008, or early 2009….
Airport the biggest winner in council budget…… The airport is by far the biggest winner, scoring $11.7 million…….The money earmarked will provide for air-conditioning, taxiway lights, security screening and road property acquisition in preparation for a major upgrade…..” Unquote.
So if you’re an interstate Tourist flying in to go to Hastings Street and you want to check out the biosphere reserve… CONGRATULATIONS YOU WIN!!!
If you’re on struggle street living on the coast as a renter, a landlord or an owner occupier YOU LOSE! Even worse if you rely on public transport, TOUGH. YOU SHOULD BE FLYING!!!
Big Bob and his one term wonders have blown any credibility they had!
Dick Stevenson on Buderim.
It should have been privatised and sold off years ago!
I object strongly to my rates being wasted there!
AM
AndrewM - I concur.
The Airport MUST be sold.
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