Almost $7m to be spent on capital projects in Shire

Balonne Shire Council today announced at its Budget Meeting it would spend almost $7 million on capital projects in the next financial year.

Mayor Richard Marsh said $2.67 million of the capital budget was funded by grant revenue through State and Federal Government initiatives.

“Our team will continue re-sealing roads throughout the Shire using Transport and Infrastructure Development State funds and Federal Roads to Recovery funding,” he said. “The overall roads budget for 2019-20 is $1.85 million with $1.35 million of that from state and federal government funds.

“Council secured $1 million over a two-year period in Building Our Regions funding and a further $1 million through Murray Darling Basin funding to improve digital connectivity across the Shire. This has the potential to improve connectivity to more than 50 per cent of the Shire and will support business, agriculture and communities.

 “This year we will put $200,000 toward replacing and upgrading Council’s IT system over the next two financial years. This will improve customer service, the mobility of Council’s workforce and provide efficiencies in recording and capturing financial data.

“The $750,000 Thermal Springs project, funded by Works for Queensland, will be completed by the end of October.

“Other projects funded under Works for Queensland include shire entry signage, Balonne Shire Showgrounds maintenance, replacement of Dirranbandi’s rising sewerage main and water main replacements in areas of Dirranbandi and St George.”

The Mayor said Council was actively working with the community to find funding for projects.

Other capital projects for the 2019-20 year include:

A tree-planting and replacement program will begin for all towns Master plans will be reviewed and/or compiled for all showground and recreational facilities across the Shire The St George CBD master plan will be reviewed A new memorial remembrance area will be installed at Thallon cemetery St George River Foreshore Canoe ramp extension and extension of footpath towards the Jack Taylor Weir Dirranbandi Civic Centre playground fencing and soft fall Artificial turf at Rotary Park in St George Development of tourism and events strategy Completion of Airport Master Plan

$1 million general aviation development at St George aerodrome including development of taxi way and hangars, funded by Building Our Regions grant.