Budget focus on maintaining critical infrastructur

Cairns Regional Council has announced a $124.5 million Capital Works program with a focus on upgrading, renewing and maintaining core infrastructure.

Mayor Bob Manning said Council was continuing to invest in its water, wastewater, drainage and transport infrastructure networks to meet growing demand and ensure services met community expectations.

“This Budget has a focus on safeguarding and upgrading core infrastructure through targeted investment so that critical facilities and equipment provides an appropriate return on investment.

“We’ll be spending around $49.3 million this year on water and wastewater improvements, plus $26.8 million on the road network, and $4.6 million on footpaths, and cycleways to promote active travel.

“These projects form the basis of a safe and liveable city that can cope with increased demand into the future.

Cr Manning also pointed to the $4.4 million allocated in this year’s Budget for the Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project, which is critical to the city’s future prosperity.

“We are hopeful that we will receive government support for this $215 million project, which sources new water from the Mulgrave River to supplement the entire Cairns water network, from Aloomba to Palm Cove.

“As Council’s official number one priority advocacy project, we continue to brief representatives of the State and Federal Governments on this critical issue and have been encouraged by their acknowledgment of the importance of securing future water resources for our city.

“But, with no commitment to date, and in keeping with the responsible financial management that has been a hallmark of this Council for nearly a decade, we must take the necessary steps to ensure we have the capacity to draw down further debt to fund the project.”

The commitment of $124.5 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 nine budget cycles to nearly $1.2 billion.

This year the Capital Works program allows for:

$50.5 million on roads, bridges, drainage, kerb and channel, shoulder sealing, and bus stops,$23.8 million on improving the wastewater network,$25.5 million on water and waste infrastructure, and$14 million on community, sport, cultural and tourism projects

Some of the highlights of the program include:

COMMUNITY, SPORT, CULTURAL & TOURISM PROJECTS Footpaths and Cycleways – $4.6 million

Council has allocated $4.6 million for the creation of footpaths, pathways and to promote active travel, including $2.4 million to progress the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail and $550,000 for a pedestrian/cycle bridge over Moody Creek in Westcourt.

There is also $650,000 to deliver new, strategic and high priority shared paths and associated infrastructure across suburbs to complete missing links in the active transport network.

Footpaths at Spence, Abbott and Wharf streets that run along the boundary of Anzac Park will be upgraded as part of a $1.15 million project, which will also include a $350,000 lighting upgrade.

Northern Beaches Leisure Trail – $2.4 million

Council has committed $2.4 million to continue construction of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail, including $620,000 to complete the Barr Creek Bridge, linking Holloways Beach and Machans Beach with a shared pedestrian and cycleway.

The Budget commits $780,000 for completion of the Clifton Beach to Kewarra Beach link, which will connect the beachside suburbs with a bridge over the mouth of Deep Creek and adjoining shared paths connecting to the existing active transport network.

This section will connect to Kewarra Beach foreshore at Pelican Park on the southern side and the previously completed NBLT on the Clifton Beach (northern) side along Arlington Esplanade.

Over $500,000 has been committed to complete the link from Yorkeys Knob to Smithfield Village along Dunne Rd.

Council has also allocated $60,000 to progress designs for the link from Machans Beach to Aeroglen.

Givens Street Pedestrian Bridge – $550,000

Council will proceed with a $550,000 construction a 30-metre long and 2.5-metre wide pedestrian/cycle bridge over Moody Creek along Givens Street, at Coxall and Dillon streets.

The project will include the installation of new street lighting and CCTV within the bridge.

Cultural Facilities Renewals – 3.9 million

Council has set aside $2m this financial year to progress the Cairns Gallery Precinct.

The works – funded by the Federal Government – will involve the demolition of the L-shaped building and carpark on 51 Esplanade and refurbishment of the Old Mulgrave Shire building.

Council has allocated $108,000 to complete work on the refurbishment of the heritage-listed Court House building on Abbott St.

Once complete, the Cairns Gallery Precinct project plans to transform and link three heritage-listed buildings – the Court House, Cairns Art Gallery and the former Mulgrave Shire Council offices – and a new contemporary gallery, to create a dynamic and world-class precinct in the heart of the city.

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre will benefit from $100,000 in this year’s Budget for the replacement and renewal of equipment to ensure the facility continues to meet the needs of world-class performers.

There is also $1.56 million allocated for upgrades to the Tanks Arts Centre, including $1.1 million for a new catering hub, storage and toilet facilities at Tank 3, and $468,000 for a state-of-the-art digital public address system at Tank 5.

An allocation of $53,000 will also allow Council to undertake a review of the former Botanic Gardens masterplan and develop a new site masterplan for the iconic precinct.

Sporting Facilities – $3.9 million

Griffiths Park – $3.7 million

Council has allocated $2.2 million to complete Stage 2 of the Griffiths Park Development Plan, which includes improved access and car parking, cricket practice wickets, and upgraded landscaping and connection pathways to allow for informal active recreation.

There is also a $1.5 million commitment to assist the Cairns Cricket Association (CCA) with the construction of a grandstand and amenities building. However, this contribution is subject to CCA obtaining all approvals and securing similar State or Federal government funding.

The new grandstand and amenities building would allow Cairns to attract games of a state and national level, including international age tournaments and Women’s Big Bash League.

A conceptual design of the proposed grandstand has been provided by CCA and has support from Queensland Cricket and Cairns AFL.

Council received $1 million in funding from the State Government through the Department of Public Works’ Active Community Infrastructure initiative to assist with Stage 1 works.

Aquatic Facilities – $1.2 million

Council will invest $500,000 this financial year to upgrade the Smithfield kid’s leisure pool infrastructure to enhance opportunities for recreation use at the facility.

Council has committed $300,000 for an amenities upgrade at Sugarworld Adventure Park.

The two stage project will undertake a refurbishment of the amenities within the park to ensure facilities are of an appropriate modern standard, and also provide maintenance of the waterslides, slide supports and handrails.

Council has endorsed $373,000 for the conversion of the heat pump at Woree Pool from gas to electricity.

Parks and Playgrounds – $505,000

A number of suburban parks will be the subject of improvements this year with the Budget funding new and renewal of playground equipment, shade sails, seating, shelter and barbecues.

To the south of the city, a dog off leash area and new bike pump track will be established at Bill Wakeham Park in Babinda as part of a $75,000 upgrade.

A basketball half-court will be installed at Salli and John Mitchell Park, Redlynch, as part of a $50,000 commitment, and $100,000 has been allocated for the installation of playgrounds, shelter, seats and barbecue at Harald Falge Park, Manunda.

There is also a $50,000 commitment to finalise detailed design of the Kenrick Park Improvement Plan in Gordonvale, to enable construction of Stage 1 to start in 2022-23.

Other areas earmarked for works include, Adventure Gully Park (Brinsmead), Monsoon Terrace Park (Mount Sheridan), Morabito Park (Yorkeys Knob), Mosch Place Park (Mooroobool), Verbena Drive Park (Mount Sheridan) and Teatree Close Park (Manunda).

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Reseals / Overlays / Pavement Rehabilitation – $9.2 million

Council’s annual reseal and overlay program will keep the city’s roads in good condition, with $3 million allocated in the asphalt overlay program, $2m reseal program, $5.2m pavement rehabilitation.

Drainage and flood mitigation – $1.7 million

Council will spend $1.7 million to ensure the city’s drainage network is working at maximum efficiency and improve flood mitigation.

It includes $500,000 for upgrades to the Boland Street drain, $500,000 for the culvert renewal at Mayer St and Fairview St, and $600,000 for underground stormwater drain renewals.

McGregor Road – $4.9 million

Council has put aside $4.9 million this financial year to complete the upgrade of McGregor Road in Smithfield, which will provide motorists with a suitable link to the new Smithfield bypass. The opening of the bypass will significantly increase traffic on McGregor Road, particularly through the McGregor Road/Faculty Close intersection and along the unnamed road to the south, which will provide access and egress from the Smithfield Bypass.

Council will receive funding from both the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the developer as the project in part is necessitated by their works.

Dalton Road – $1.5 million

Three flood damaged areas on the banks of the Mulgrave River will undergo repairs to remedy severe erosion that is threatening the stability of Dalton Road in Aloomba.

The project aims to alleviate issues threatening the stability of the road as a result of severe riverbank erosion that occurred during monsoonal weather from 25 January to 14 February 2019.

The project is fully funded through the State and Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

Goldsborough Road – $1.4 million

Council has allocated $1.4 million to replace damaged culverts and address unstable road embankments on a section of Goldsborough Road.

The culverts, located about 3.1 kilometres from the Gillies Highway, were damaged during the monsoonal rainfall in early 2019.

The project includes replacing the culverts to provide improved flood immunity, widening the road embankment to establish smaller slopes for long term stability, and the inclusion of guardrails to enhance safety.

Council has received funding through State and Federal Governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for this project.

Links Drive, Woree – $1.9 million

Council has committed $1.9 million to undertake works to rehabilitate and upgrade Links Drive in Woree.

A collector road that services numerous industrial and freight businesses, Links Drive is showing signs of pavement failure and defects, along with significant kerb and pavement damage as a result of heavy vehicle use.

As part of the rehabilitation works, Council will upgrade the pavement for this section of road to be suitable for a heavy vehicle (B-double) route.

Cairns has received funding support for this project from the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

Boat ramp, groynes and erosion mitigation – $2.15 million

Council will contribute $2 million this financial year, and $1.5 million in the following year, to the Department of Transport and Main Roads for construction of a new boat ramp and associated car park at Yorkeys Knob.

Council has also allocated $2.15 million for the construction of a 150-metre rock groyne at Half Moon Bay creek, which will trap sand moving from north to south and reduce the need for ongoing dredging at the mouth of the creek.

Council received funding of $1 million from TMR to assist with construction of the groyne.

Kewarra and Trinity Beach Suburban Road Connection – $2 million

Council has allocated $2 million in the Budget for a connection road between Kewarra Beach and Trinity Beach.

The new link, identified in Council’s strategic planning, will reduce travel time between Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach and remove the need to use the Captain Cook Highway to travel from one beach to the other, thereby reducing congestion on the highway.

It will also enhance access to busy community places like Trinity Beach Sporting Precinct and the Trinity Anglican School, and importantly improve safety and car parking around the Trinity Beach Sporting Precinct.

Council has been successful in receiving Roads to Recovery funding for this project for the 2021-22 year.

Behana Road Bridge (No. 2) – $1 million

Council has committed $1 million to replace Behana Road Bridge (No. 2), a single span timber bridge built in 1960 which has required ongoing maintenance over the years.

The bridge is considered critical infrastructure as it provides the only road access to the Behana Gorge Intake and Water Treatment Plant.

Council has received funding for this project from the State Government under Round 5 of the Bridge Renewal Program.

Fisher Road, Gordonvale – $4.9 million

Council has set aside $1.9 million to complete infrastructure works associated with the proposed new Gordonvale Woolworths development.

The works 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.

Trinity Beach Rd / Rabaul St / Periwinkle Ave – $1.4 million

Council will undertake a $1.4 million project to install at roundabout at the Trinity Beach Rd/Rabaul St/Periwinkle Ave intersection.

The new roundabout at the busy Trinity beach four-way intersection will improve traffic flow and safety. Intersection lighting will also be upgraded.

The project is fully funded through the Commonwealth Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program Round 2 Grant.

Kerb and Channel – $2.4 million

Council has budgeted $2.4m replacing old and damaged kerb and channel as part of its Suburban Enhancement Program.

New animal management facility – $6.36

Council will start building a new animal management facility with more than double the capacity of the existing facility.

More than $6.3 million has been allocated in this year’s Budget for the facility, which will be built on Links Drive in Woree.

The purpose-built facility will be able to accommodate up to 72 dogs and 60 cats at any time and provide services including reclaiming of lost animals, rehoming, impounding and basic medical treatment for in-house animals.

The design includes medical treatment facilities, covered exercise yards, separate areas for holding general stray or impounded animals, provision for maternity or high-care situations, dangerous dogs, and diseased pets.

There is also a public reception area, administration office space, consultation room, meeting room, staff room, amenities, store, and laundry.

Water infrastructure – $25.5 million

Projects included in the program are:

$2.34 million for the testing of bores in multiple sites as part of the Emergency Water Supply Plan (EWSP) to safeguard Cairns’ water supply in the event of an extreme drought. The EWSP involves the completion of designs and pre-construction works, in order to implement temporary critical infrastructure should it be required as a result of an extreme water shortage. A bore field to the south of the Mulgrave River and temporary infrastructure, including associated pipework, packaged water treatment plant and booster pump station are all part of the EWSP, which will be able to treat approximately 40 megalitres of the Mulgrave Aquifer bore water each day, which can then supply the Cairns network.$11.5 million on improvements and upgrades to water intakes, pump stations, treatment plants and reservoirs, including $1.7 million to upgrade filters at the Freshwater Water Treatment Plant; refurbishment reservoirs at Henley’s Hill, Earlville ($3 million) and White’s Gap, Kanimbla ($536,000), and Janett Street, Yorkeys Knob ($618,000); and $453,000 for renewal of the Edmonton West water pump station.$4.4 million for consultancy, design and early works for the Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project.$3.15 million for water main refurbishments.$1.6 million for the installation and replacement of new ultrasonic water meters, and replacement of commercial water meters as required.$1.65 million for water meter management, including $1 million for new water meter installations and $650,000 for the replacement of commercial water meters.$300,000 for improvements works on Copperlode Falls Dam. Wastewater infrastructure – $23.8 million

Projects included in the program are:

$15.1 million on upgrades and improvements to sewer pump stations and networks throughout the city, including $3.7 million to complete the new pump station at Lily Street, Cairns North, and $3.2 million allocated to the sewer-relining program.$5.7 million on improvements and upgrades to wastewater infrastructure, including $800,000 of odour control unit refurbishment at Marlin Coast, Northern and Southern wastewater treatment plants, and $500,000 on the manhole rehabilitation program. Resource recovery – $1.3 million

Council will invest $1.2 million to improve customer safety in disposal of hazardous waste and chemicals and expanding capacity at the Portsmith, Babinda and Gordonvale transfer stations.

FUNDING NOTE: The Queensland and Australian Governments have provided some level of funding for some items listed within the Cairns Regional Council budget.