Budget 2020-21: Record $181m program to boost the

A record $181 million Capital Works program committed to in this year’s Budget will provide a needed stimulus boost to the local economy and ensure Council continues to deliver services to a level expected by the community.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning acknowledged the city was facing unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and it was vital Council maximised its Capital Works program to stimulate the local economy.

“Given that approximately 90 per cent of Council’s works expenditure is invested locally through employment and locally sourced materials and services, it is clear Council has an important role to play in keeping our local economy moving,” Cr Manning said.

“It is equally important that we continue to invest in water, wastewater, drainage and transport infrastructure networks to ensure the city’s critical networks operate efficiently.”

The commitment of $181 million in the Capital Works program in this year’s Budget will bring the total amount of Capital Works delivered by Council over the past seven years to almost $1.2 billion.

This year the Capital Works program allows for:

$43.5 million on roads, bridges, drainage, kerb and channel, shoulder sealing, and bus stops$28.5 million on improving the wastewater network,$32.7 million on water and waste infrastructure, and$37 million on community, sport, cultural and tourism projects$28.7 million Esplanade Dining Precinct

Some of the highlights of the program include:

Community, Sport, Cultural & Tourism projects Esplanade Dining Precinct completion – $28.7m

Redevelopment of the Esplanade Dining Precinct – including the renewal of the Lagoon Plaza and Shields Street between Abbott Street and the Esplanade – has been fast-tracked to limit the disruption to traders and maximise the city’s appeal once tourists return.

Council adopted a three-staged delivery, which started late last month with the construction of the footpath as the first stage; second stage will be the construction of the outdoor dining area in September; and the completion of the road and landscaping as the last stage in February 2021.

The Esplanade Dining Precinct’s contemporary and engaging design features a modified and gently curving road alignment that allows the dining area to be extended and brings green space of the Esplanade Parklands closer to the outdoor venues.

The retention of one-way traffic along Esplanade allows for safer pedestrian movements and will also reduce unwanted noise.

Wider footpaths feature new consistent pavements and clearly defined areas for pedestrians and diners, the new awnings will provide enhanced weather protection, and vibrant lighting will improve night time experience. The design of the road and footpath also allows the precinct to be easily transformed into a pedestrian-only space for major public events.

Northern Beaches Leisure Trail – $10.9 million

Council has committed $7.57 million for the construction of the Barr Creek Bridge, linking Holloways Beach and Machans Beach with a shared pedestrian and cycleway. The path will then weave through the Air Services land in Machans Beach, connecting to Arnold Street. The Barr Creek Bridge is due for completion in the 2020/2021 financial year.

Over $2.3 million has been committed in the 2020-21 Budget to a further stage of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail, which will link Yorkeys Knob to Smithfield Village along Dunne Rd. The off-road pathway will provide a vital piece of infrastructure to improve access to schools, recreational and community facilities. The Budget commits $200,000 for the design of the link from Clifton Beach to Kewarra Beach.

Cultural Facilities Renewals – $2.6 million

Council has set aside $1.5m in this year’s Budget to complete work on the refurbishment of the heritage-listed Court House building on Abbott St. The intent is to use the restored building as a public event and exhibition space and ultimately incorporate the building into the proposed Cairns Gallery Precinct. The initiative plans to transform and link three heritage-listed buildings – the Court House, Cairns Art Gallery and the former Mulgrave Shire Council offices – to create a dynamic and world-class gallery precinct in the heart of the city. Council will continue to lobby the State and Federal Governments to commit to a tripartite agreement to fund the broader Cairns Gallery Precinct.

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre will be benefit from $996,000 in this year’s Budget to fund enhancements to the world-class facility. Since opening in December 2018, the world-class venue has hosted a wide genre of performances, from international performers to local community groups and production companies. Following feedback from the producers, performers and the audience, Council will undertake works that will further enhance CPAC’s capabilities and the overall theatrical experience.

There is also $325,000 set aside to enhance the Botanic Gardens and a further $100,000 as part of an annual renewal of equipment at Tanks.

Footpaths and Cycleways – $3.5 million

Footpaths and cycleways throughout the city will be funded this year to the tune of $3.5m. Included in the funding is:

$1.7 million for footpath renewal on Shield Street, between Grafton and McLeod streets.$510,000 for footpath renewals along Spence Street in the city.$250,000 to fund cycleway connectivity from Brinsmead to Freshwater$250,000 for a footpath along Carnation Drive from Kingsford Street to Balaclava Road, Earlville.$238,000 for footpath renewal along Aplin Street, from Abbott Street to the Esplanade.$120,000 for an active travel footpath from Hartill Street to the Old Bruice Highway in Edmonton$50,000 for a footpath on George Cannon Drive, from Des Chalmer Drive to Benjamina Street, Mount Sheridan$50,000 for a footpath on Griffith Street, from Old Smithfield Road to Kamerunga Road, Freshwater Sporting Facilities – $4 million

Griffiths Park – $2.58 million

Sport lighting will undergo a major upgrade at Griffiths Park, which will allow cricket and AFL matches to be played under lights. As part of the Griffiths Park Strategic Plan, field 1 (adjacent to Sportsworld) will be installed with lighting suitable to hold high-level cricket matches at night, and providing additional training and match time for AFL and other community sporting organisations. The upgrade will involve the erection of four new light towers, about 41 metres in height, to provide 500 lux lighting for the infield and 300 lux to the outfield.

Aquatic Facilities – $500,000

Council will invest $500,000 this year on improvements to aquatic facilities. This includes $350,000 to renew the wet deck area at Tobruk Pool, and $150,000 for the upgrade of the reticulation at Babinda Pool.

Tom Murray Park – $350,000

Council has allocated $350,000 of this year’s Budget for detailed design of the Tom Murray Park Improvement Plan at Mount Sheridan, as well as initiating some improvement works. The project intends to eventually convert the area into an "active park” that will provide for a mixture of formal sporting use (training only) and fitness with the installation of a training oval and exercise station. Council will be prioritising the carpark and access off Hardy Road this financial year.

Other sporting projects funded in the Capital Works program include:

-       $85,000 for a lighting upgrade to Calanna Park field in Woree

-       $100,000 to renew car parking facilities and internal vehicle bollards at Barlow Park

-       $150,000 to complete the new roof at Cairns International Tennis Centre

-       $100,000 for lighting renewal at Fretwell Park, Bentley Park

-       $65,000 for a lighting audit at various sporting facilities

-       $30,000 for revegetation of natural areas at Redlynch Sport and Recreation Park, and

Parks and Playgrounds – $810,000

A number of suburban parks will be the subject of improvements this year with the Budget funding new dog off-leash areas, barbecue renewal, new fitness and play equipment and irrigation.

Areas earmarked for works include, ANZAC Memorial (Trinity Beach), Loridan Drive Park (Brinsmead), Barrier Reef Park (Westcourt), Homestead Park (Mount Sheridan), Harlequin Street Park (White Rock), Jashar Park (Edmonton) McRobbs Close Park (Edmonton), Moody Creek Reserve (Manoora), Wilks Park (Woree), Goodwood Park (Yorkeys Knob), Johnson Park (Gordonvale), and Sugarworld Playground (Edmonton).

Council will also invest $50,000 in public art for local parks across the city.

Gordonvale Heritage Trail – $570,000

The Gordonvale Heritage trail is a connecting pathway from the Greenpatch campground along Mill Street to the Gordonvale town centre and Norman Park. This will include a pathway, new footbridge across Hemming Creek and interpretive signage along the route. This is being developed as part of the Norman Park Masterplan. It follows the completion last year of upgrades to Greenpatch (on the banks of Mulgrave River at Gordonvale) which formalised the campground. Improvement works included a new amenities block, including coin operated hot showers, a dump point, internal pathways and lighting.

Community Facilities – $630,000

Council will spend $630,000 to upgrade community facilities across the city, including $49,000 earmarked for the Holloways Beach Community Hall, $42,000 for the Down Park Community Hall in Edmonton, $30,000 for Woree Family Day Care and $28,000 for the Bella Vista Community Hall in Brinsmead.

Libraries – $1.1 million

This year’s Capital Works program allows for $665,000 through the State Library grant for new stock for the city’s eight libraries, $45,000 for signage upgrades, $45,000 to improve conference facilities at City, Manunda and Stratford libraries, $60,000 to upgrade to the entrance doors of the City Library, and $50,000 for an internal refurbishment at Earlville Library.

White Rock connectivity – $385,000

The White Rock Recreation Study (2018) identified there was a that a lack of connectivity within the suburb. Council will this financial allocate $385,000 to the White Rock public open space and connectivity project for the construction of connecting pathways to create a complete 2.5-kilometre (off road) running/walking circuit. This will provide safe paths and linkages to key locations such as parks and play spaces.

Crystal Cascades – $750,000

Council has allocated $750,000 in this year’s Budget to complete a major upgrade of Crystal Cascades. The plan includes an upgrade to the entry statement, revised car and bus parking layout and expansion, new pathways directly linking the entrance to the amenities block, new shelters, seating, picnic tables, barbecues, bins and bubblers.

Other highlights

$150,000 for renewal of toilets at Tom Murray Park (Mount Sheridan), and School Park (Machans Beach).

$630,000 on street lighting upgrades

$800,000 on expanding the CCTV network and upgrading the monitoring room

$325,000 for Botanic Gardens upgrades

$50,000 on access and inclusion program

Transport, Drainage, and K&C Florence Street upgrade – $2.6 million

Council will this year complete the Florence Street redevelopment, which provides improved pedestrian connectivity from the CBD to the Cairns Performing Arts Centre and Munro Martin Parklands. Council has allocated $2.6 million this budget for the project, which includes installing traffic lights at the two intersections currently served by roundabouts, broader footpaths and landscaping.

Reseals / Overlays / Pavement Rehabilitation – $9.8 million

Council’s annual reseal and overlay program will keep the city’s roads in good condition, with $1.5 million allocated in the asphalt overlay program, $2.5m reseal program, $5.8m pavement rehabilitation.

Drainage and flood mitigation - $2.9 million

Council will spend $2.9 million in this year’s Budget to ensure the city’s drainage network is working at maximum efficiency and improve flood mitigation. It includes $884,000 for the construction for a new trunk drain on the Redlynch Intake Road, north of Hailifax St; $500,000 for concrete lined drain renewals; and $400,000 for underground stormwater drain renewals.

Dexter Bridge – $1.95 million

A deteriorated, one-way timber bridge in Gordonvale will be replaced with a two-lane, single span concrete bridge that will improve flood immunity and pedestrian safety. Council has allocated $1.95 million for the replacement of Dexter Bridge on Dexter Road, which will include alignment changes to improve the approaches to the bridge and no longer require load limits. Road widening and sealing will be required to accommodate two lane approaches on both sides of the bridge, new guardrails will be installed and modifications to the private access on the western side of the bridge is needed. The 8.2-metre long bridge single lane bridge currently operates with a give way on the eastern side of the bridge, and there is no pedestrian walkway.

Groynes and rock wall – $3.9 million

Council has put aside $1.9 million for the construction of two, 30-metre rock groynes at Holloways Beach. The groynes, to be constructed at the end of Oleander St and Pandanus St, will improve the beach amenity and provide long-term protection of the foreshore. Sand erosion has been an ongoing concern at Holloways Beach, with various beach nourishment campaigns initiated over the years due to ongoing sand loss along the beach.

Council has also allocated $2 million this financial year and $1.3 the following year for the construction of a rock wall at Half Moon Bay creek, which is associated with the future construction of the Yorkeys Knob boat ramp. The rock wall will reduce the need for ongoing dredging at the mouth the creek.

Fisher Road, Gordonvale – $4.9 million

Council has side aside $5 million for infrastructure works associated with the new Gordonvale Woolworths development. The works will include the extension of Fisher Road to the Woolworths site at Draper Road, as well as construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Draper Road, (the new) Fisher Road, and a new road provided by the State Government associated with the Bruce Highway upgrade works. Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is set to start works on the Edmonton to Gordonvale section of the Bruce Highway upgrade, which includes the construction of a new road that will connect to Draper Road near the Woolworths development.

Jungara Road – $3.6 million

Safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will be improved with the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Jungara Road and Redlynch Intake Road in Redlynch. The intersection has high traffic volumes as it is the main access to the Redlynch High School.

Lake Morris Road – $987,000

Numerous road sections and drainage assets are being repaired on Lake Morris Road, which were damaged during the significant rainfall event in March 2018, associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Nora. The works involve the replacement of undermined and subsided stormwater pipes and the stabilisation of road embankments and cut batters. This year’s allocation of $987,000 follows Council allocation of $2.4 million last financial year.

McGregor Road – $4.9 million

Works to realign and connect McGregor Road to the new roundabout at Smithfield Village Drive are nearing competition. The new road link provides four traffic lanes and access to new residential areas of Smithfield Village. Council has put aside $4.9 million this financial year and an additional $1 million the following year to upgrade the remaining section of McGregor Road, between the new road link and Faculty Close. This includes an upgrade of the Faculty Close intersection to include traffic signals. Construction is  planned to start early 2021 and be completed before the Smithfield Bypass is opened.

Arnold and Magazine Streets – $1 million

Magazine Street is being upgraded to provide a wider, safer road for motorists and cyclists. Magazine Street is a key road link between the Captain Cook Highway and Stratford Connection road, carrying about 4000 vehicles per day. The works will include pavement widening to provide sealed road shoulders, new street lights and more parking.  The project also includes an upgrade to the Arnold Street / Magazine street intersection, to remove the high number of vehicle conflict points and provide clearer, safer intersection treatments.

Kerb and Channel – $4 million

Council has budgeted $4m replacing old and damaged kerb and channel as part of its Suburban Enhancement Program.

Water, Wastewater and Waste WATER – $19.4 million

Projects included in the program are:

$11.25 million on the water network including $5.2 million for the Northern Beaches trunk water main (from Kamerunga Road to Lake Placid, $1 million for a water main replacement on the Redlynch Intake Road, and a further $2.2 million for general water main replacements.$7.1 million on improvements and upgrades to water intakes, treatment plants and reservoirs, including $2.1 million to upgrade the intake at the Freshwater Water Treatment Plant and Crustal Cascades, Redlynch; and refurbishment reservoirs at Currunda Creek, Redlynch (1.15 million), Henley’s Hill, Earlville ($1.2 million) and Janett Street, Yorkeys Knob ($618,000).$420,000 to continue design and development of new water treatment plant for Draper Road$500,000 for upgrades to water labs.$296,000 for improvements works on Copperlode Falls Dam.$1.4 million for water meter management, including $843,000 for the installation of new residential water meters and $425,000 for the replacement of commercial water meters. WASTEWATER – $28.4 million

Projects included in the program are:

$22.5 million on upgrades and improvements to sewer pump stations and networks throughout the city, including $7.6 million for the new pump station at Lily Street, Cairns North, and $2.5 million allocated to the sewer-relining program.$5.9 million on improvements and upgrades to wastewater infrastructure,  including remediation works at the Marlin Coast ($1.4 million), Northern ($1.1 million) and Southern ($782,000) wastewater treatment plants, and $500,000 on the manhole rehabilitation program. WASTE – $11.3 million

Projects included in the program are:

Materials Recovery Facility upgrade – $10.7 million

Council will invest $3.86 million to complete the upgrade to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). This $8.2 million upgrade will double the MRF’s processing capacity to about 30,000 tonnes a year, and will boost the amount of waste diverted from landfill from 50-60% to 85-90% from landfill. New, state-of-the-art technology will enhance and streamline the facility’s sorting capabilities, while a new glass-sorting and processing plant, delivered as part of the upgrade, will Council to recycle glass locally.

Council has also invested $6.86 million this financial year to complete a new, larger and purpose built complex to house the MRF, which will expand services and has allowed for local recycling to continue uninterrupted during the MRF’s construction.

The $8.5 million complex and the MRF are both scheduled to be completed later this year.

Other transfer station Improvements – $360,000

$200,000 for a concrete recycling facility weighbridge at Portsmith Transfer Station to reduce heavy vehicle traffic volumes at the existing Suez weighbridge.$100,000 to improve customer safety in disposal of hazardous waste and chemicals Portsmith Transfer Station, and increase the number of hazardous chemicals that can be recovered and disposed at the facility. Additionally, the project will also increase the number of disposal lanes available at Portsmith.

$60,000 to upgrade the entry of the Gordonvale Transfer Station to an all-weather entry.