Community and environment win budget nod
12:51p.m. 3rd July 2008
Social strategy portfolio councillor, Cr Anna Grosskreutz, said one of the key priorities of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s $673 million budget is to continue to invest in the social projects that she said are vital in strengthening and supporting Coast communities.
Council has invested $1.012 million in the Sunshine Coast Grants Program in response to local and regional needs and issues identified by the community.
“These grants enable residents to carry out projects that will enhance the Sunshine Coast’s environmental sustainability, community wellbeing, economic prosperity and cultural life,” Cr Grosskreutz said.
Along with the Grants Program, Council has allocated funding for key community projects:
• Community Jobs Program $335,000
• Heritage projects $246,000
• Community Safe Program $210,000
• Public transport projects $170,000
• Social plan initiatives $105,000
HIGHLIGHTS
Community Grants Program
Council's grants program is an opportunity to give funding and recognition to individuals, community groups and organisations that play an important part in helping develop the region’s environmental sustainability, community wellbeing, economic prosperity and cultural life. The first round of grants opened on 1 July 2008.
Community Safe Program
The Sunshine Coast Council recognises that partnerships between community, state and local government are essential to achieve sustainable community safety and crime prevention outcomes. Council will continue to support and coordinate local community safety partnerships.
Heritage projects
In recognition of the cultural and strong heritage values of the hinterland, projects will include the listing of state heritage buildings and an annual heritage forum. The forum provides a unique opportunity for the community to debate current issues regarding local heritage.
Caloundra Music Festival
The Caloundra Music Festival is an annual celebration of the environment, cultural achievements and community pride. Regional events deliver an enormous boost to local economies bringing in business, creating jobs, attracting tourists and fuelling growth, prosperity and a tremendous sense of pride for the host communities.
Cooroy Lower Mill Site Project
The Cooroy Lower Mill Board was established in late 2004 to advise Council on the management, planning and development of the Cooroy Lower Mill Site. Plans for the site include a library, global connect online centre, café, meeting and training rooms, heritage studies centre and the Cooroy Butter Factory.
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.
Meanwhile, council will fund various environment initiatives to the tune of $8.8 million courtesy of the environment levy.
The beneficiaries include: the Noosa Biopshere Reserve, the ecoBiz sustainable business program, local waterways, the Pumicestone Passage Advisory Taskforce and climate change.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council budget
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Recent Comments
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.
Also in comparing this budget to previous Caloundra budgets, I think the standards of our parks and their planned improvements look to have been vastly under funded.
Those that are not so well of, such as younger families, pensioners etc really utilise and enjoy our Public Parks.
Sadly Maroochydore’s debt appears to have dragged all our services backward, and also forced the Council charges upward.
The new council should have spent more wisely that they have, from what I can see thus far.
AM
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