Council Budget and Whats in it for the Islands.

What's in it for the islands?

from the BayJournal.com.au
Saturday, 26 June 2010 13:08 Lee Shipley

For starters,radical change in how the accounting is done will allow islanders to know were their money has been spent.d

Some of the burden has been lifted from the shoulders of those who have built on the islands to those who have not built yet.

While planning is continuing for bigger things, spending is continuing to bring the island infrastructure up to scratch, especially the roads---editor

More than $3.2 million will be spent on infrastructure across the four Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) as part of Redland City Council’s 2010-11 budget.

Following extensive rate reform, Southern Moreton Bay Islanders will also be able to see where every cent of their rates is spent.

For the first time, Redland City Council will separately report on the value of rates paid by islanders and show where those funds have been invested in infrastructure, facilities, programs and services.

Redland City Mayor Melva Hobson said there would no longer be an infrastructure charge for the islands or a SMBI reserve.

“Under our new model, every single cent paid in rates by SMBI ratepayers will be reported separately, and then used on island infrastructure projects, as well as ongoing programs and services such as libraries, parks maintenance etc,” Councillor Hobson said.

Over the next 12 months, Council will invest more than $3.2 million in capital programs across the four islands, including $1.1 million to seal roads and $707,000 for other road projects.

Council has also introduced a new rating category for the islands – that of vacant developable land.

“Of the 12,000 properties, 8,000 of them are still vacant lots, with only 4,000 inhabited. The rate in the dollar for vacant land will be higher in this category, so that those living on the islands are not subsidising owners of these vacant lots,” Councillor Hobson said.

We have reduced the minimum general rate for residential properties:
54.9% of properties will now pay less than paid in 09-10
a further 13.4% will have less than a $200 increase.

The Mayor said Council was continuing to deliver initiatives through its Bay Island Blueprint, with the comprehensive review of SMBI Integrated Local Transport Plan well under way.

“Providing quality infrastructure and services to the bay islands remains a high priority for this Council, and we are continuing to work closely with the SMBI Communities Advisory Committee and to lobby other levels of government in this regard.”

Key projects for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands in 2010-11 include:

* $1.1 million to seal gravel roads (see list below)
* $425,000 for the first stage of the Pat’s Park upgrade on Macleay island
* $300,000 for land acquisition for open space
* $278,000 for stage three of Melaleuca Drive on Lamb Island
* $225,000 for paths and trails along Canaipa Road, on Russell Island
* $250,000 to complete planning and design of Macleay Island car park
* $195,000 to construct the causeway for Noyes Parade on Karragarra Island
* $130,000 for the Attunga Street recreational bridge on Macleay Island.
* $71,896 for site works at Kennedy’s Farm on Russell Island
* $50,000 to design improvements for Jock Kennedy Park on Russell Island
* $30,000 to build a covered walkway at The Shack on Macleay Island

$1.1m to seal gravel roads:

* Alkira Street, Macleay Island
* Eastbourne Terrace, Macleay Island
* Judith Street Russell Island
* Scarborough Terrace, Macleay Island
* Tina Avenue, Lamb Island (Leonie Crt – Paula Pde)
* Vista/Short Streets, Russell Island

Additional road programs:

* East Road, Karragarra Island
* High Street intersection upgrade, Russell Island
* McBean Road/Nina Street, Karragarra Island
* Stage 3 Melaleuca Drive, Lamb Island
* Noyes Parade (causeway), Karragarra Island