Delivering the future by investing in infrastructure

Striking the balance between maintaining existing infrastructure and preparing for the Sunshine Coast’s future needs is at the heart of council’s $237 million 2017/18 capital works program.

Investment supports the region’s unique lifestyle, economy and environment and Corporate Strategy and Finance Portfolio Councillor Tim Dwyer said the budget delivered for today while keeping an eye firmly on the future needs of the Sunshine Coast community.

“Delivering for our communities is always a key feature of our capital works budget and this year is no different,” Cr Dwyer said.

“We’ll deliver a number of street-scaping works in towns across the region, which support the needs of our residents as well as providing for future growth.

“One example is the construction of a $2.65 million town square in the heart of Palmwoods, which will bring a raft of social, economic and cultural opportunities to this vibrant and growing hinterland town.

“Our sporting lifestyle is, and I believe always will be, part of our healthy lifestyle and as such we’ll invest $12 million in community and sporting facilities including $1.75 million towards two new AFL fields, a clubhouse and facilities at Meridan Fields and $69,000 for the detailed design of the Nambour Woombye district sports facility.”

Cr Dwyer said council would also continue investing in active pursuits with $2.3 million allocated to construct stage five of the Minyama to Mooloolaba cycleway.

“The ever popular Coastal pathway will receive $10 million over the next 10 years and this year we’ll be designing and constructing various sections of the pathway in Bokarina, Tay Avenue, Caloundra and Kings Beach,” Cr Dwyer said.

“Our road, pathway and bridge network continues to be a priority, reflected by the $24 million investment in local transportation projects in 2017/18.

“Highlights include $1.75 million to replace the timber Petrie Park Road Bridge at Nambour; $600,000 for a four lane upgrade at Sippy Downs Drive; and $500,000 to complete a missing section of footpath on the southern side of Maleny-Montville Road.

“We continue making prudent investment in our sealed road network and council has committed $18 million in the 2017/18 road reseal and rehabilitation program, part of a 10-year $225 million investment.

“We are investing in waste management innovation and this year $7.5 million is allocated to start construction of the underground waste collection system in Maroochydore.

“We’ve also allocated $4.8 million for stage one of the new Nambour Resource Recovery Centre and $500,000 to construct bio-retention basins at each of the Caloundra and Buderim sites to protect our waterways.

“Tourism continues to be the powerhouse of the Sunshine Coast economy with 9.6 million visitors contributing $2.9 billion last year. And with that growth set to continue, we are investing $62 million in the Sunshine Coast airport expansion project which will be funded from the initial payment received from council’s commercial partner in the airport, and a further $1.8 million at the Caloundra Aerodrome and our holiday parks.

“Providing interactive, imaginative and safe play facilities for children is always a key spend across the region and this year we’ll construct a $50,000 playground at Russell Family Park, Montville, a new $750,000 skate park at Alexandra Headland and a $38,000 playground at Yaroomba.

“We’ll invest in core community facilities including $922,000 to expand the Coolum Library and a $120,000 detailed design for the Maleny library extension.

“By maintaining our existing infrastructure and providing and planning for new facilities we are delivering for a healthy, smart, creative future of the Sunshine Coast.”

At a glance

• $9 million on parks and gardens, cemeteries and beach accesses
• $32 million for environmental assets and coast, canals and waterways
• $59 million on transportation and stormwater projects
• $17 million for waste management infrastructure
• $12 million on community and sporting facilities.

Major infrastructure projects in 2017/18 financial year ($237 million capital works program)

• $18 million road reseal and rehabilitation program
• $2.65 million for Margaret Street Streetscape project, Palmwoods
• $2.5 million to widen Plaza Parade from Southern Dr to Carnaby St
• $2.3 million to construct stage five of Minyama to Mooloolaba Cycleway
• $2.1 million to construct the roundabout at Mons Road and Owen Creek Road, Buderim
• $2 million to extend Burke St, Golden Beach
• $1.75 million towards two new AFL fields, clubhouse and associated facilities at Meridan Fields, Meridan Plains
• $1.75 million to replace the timber Petrie Park Road Bridge, Nambour
• $1.7 million for streetscaping of Bulcock St between Minchinton St and Knox Ave, Caloundra
• $1.45 million for the Timari St Streetscape project, Pacific Paradise
• $922,600 to expand the Coolum Library, Coolum
• $836,000 towards the Nambour Heritage Tramway Project
• $800,000 to upgrade to Kawana Aquatic Centre
• $800,000 for the staged upgrade of Maroochydore netball courts
• $775,000 to streetscape Farrell Street and Stephens Street, Yandina
• $750,000 to construct a new Alex Skate Park
• $732,000 for flood mitigation works at Careela St, Mooloolaba
• $941,000 on facility upgrades and equipment at The Events Centre, Caloundra
• $650,000 to formalise and extend the Maroochy Junior Rugby League Club car park
• $600,00 for four lane upgrade at Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
• $585,000 for car park, drainage and road improvements in Nambour Showgrounds
• $500,000 to implement the master plan at Reserve 1000, Golden Beach
• $500,000 to upgrade McGilchrist Road to a sealed standard, Eudlo
• $500,000 to complete the missing section of footpath on southern side of Maleny-Montville Road
• $450,000 to design and construct a new car park at Russell Family Park, Montville
• $450,000 for stage six of Buderim Village park, including a multi-purpose space and new amenities
• $410,000 for work on the Perry St car park at Jack Morgan Park, Coolum
• $400,000 to rehabilitate the Pelican Waters lock
• $400,000 to upgrade the field lighting at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina
• $400,000 to construct missing sections of  pathway in the Pacific Paradise State School precinct
• $380,000 to upgrade pathways, pedestrian linkages and ring road at Elizabeth Daniels Sports Complex, Buderim
• $300,000 for construction of playground renewals at Nelson Park, Alexandra Headland
• $300,000 to implement the Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan
• $260,000 to renew four beach accesses, Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright
• $250,000 for Coastal Pathway works at Tay Avenue, Caloundra
• $235,000 to complete stages 2 and 3 at Regional Tennis Centre, Caloundra
• $225,000 to streetscape Main Street, Montville
• $240,000 for Stage two upgrades to Dick Caplick Park, Eumundi
• $175,000 to upgrade 50m pool at Caloundra Aquatic Centre
• $160,000 to renew the Clarke Place Playground at Happy Valley
• $150,000 to resurface the Kings Beach ocean pool
• $150,000 for the coastal pathway, Bokarina
• $150,000 to improve Coolum Beach Skate Park
• $148,000 to upgrade Lake Kawana Community Centre, Bokarina
• $145,000 to replace the barbecue and shelters at  Power Memorial Park, Mudjimba
• $120,000 to upgrade the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery
• $100,000 to upgrade the Beerwah Aquatic Centre
• $100,000 for detail design and construction at Turner Street,  Beerwah
• $100,000 to upgrade the Cheese Block Park, Mooloolaba
• $100,000 to upgrade a section of Parklands Blvd to four lanes, Little Mountain
• $100,000 towards the Birtinya Local Community Centre, Birtinya