Budget invests $9 million in roads to keep Shire moving

Burdekin Shire Council’s 2019/20 Budget will invest $9 million in 2019/20 to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, footpaths, aerodrome and drainage to ensure residents and visitors have safer and smoother journeys.

Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said about a third of the $19.9 million capital works spend in the 2019/20 Budget would be allocated to transport and drainage infrastructure roads across the Shire, including $5.2 million for roads, $180,000 for drainage and $1.3 million for pathways.

“Council knows that the condition of our urban and rural roads, footpaths and drainage is really important to our community,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“Investing in these projects will ensure our Shire has the essential infrastructure needed to grow and keep moving forward.”

Cr McLaughlin said the expansion of the Shire’s pathways was a key feature of this year’s budget.

“Council is investing in a healthier future for the community with $450,000 funding allocated to the extension of the Be-Active Trail in Ayr.

“The trail will be extended along Clayton and Ross Streets from Cox Street to McIntyre Place.  A further $30,000 has been allocated to the planning and design of the Home Hill Be-Active Trail stage 1.

“We will also improve access to one of our Shire’s most popular sites – the Mount Inkerman lookout – with $100,000 budgeted to extend the nature trail at Mount Inkerman.”

More than $2.7 million will also be spent on rural road upgrades.

“Safety will be improved in Airville with the construction of a $1.3 million roundabout at the intersection of Fiveways and Ivory Road. This project will mean motorists travelling on this important connector road will get where they need to go safely.

“We have also budgeted $100,000 for part of the cost of sealing Jerona Road from the SS Star of Hope Avenue to the boat ramp car park, $600,000 on widening Brown Road between Ayr Dalbeg Road and Pelican Road and $150,000 to replace the floodway on Kilrie Road”

Other highlights include $800,000 for the rehabilitation of Shire bridges and $1 million on a Shire-wide bitumen reseal program.