Budget 2024-25: Briefs

Extra spending on footpaths

Council will triple its spending on new footpaths and pathways for the next two years, from $1 million to $3 million annually.

This will add to the current network of 543km of sealed footpaths and 208 pedestrian bridges, to promote active travel.

When constructing new footpaths, there is an emphasis on connecting key services, such as schools, aged care facilities and shopping centres, improving safety, addressing areas of high concern within the community, and improving accessibility to bus stops and other local destinations.

Where possible, the footpaths align with other road projects to increase efficiencies in design and delivery, and also limit disruptions for residents.

Council has also set aside $600,000 to upgrade and renew existing footpaths.

Contributions, donations and events – $10.2 million

Council will inject $10.2 million in funding, grants and donations to help attract major events, promote the region and support community organisations.  This includes:

$3.4 million set aside for Tourism Tropical North Queensland to market the region.$1.6 million to support major events, including Crankworx, Hawthorn AFLW, Ironman Cairns, Cairns Marathon, Dream Aloud and Gimuy on Cairns.$1.3 million to community groups, sporting clubs, and arts and cultural organisations for assistance from different grant steams including Go Clubs, Community Grant Partnerships, and Arts and Culture Partnerships.$400,000 allocated to support local organisations that provide economic benefits, such as Babinda Taskforce, Study Cairns and the Superyacht Group, as well as a sponsorship agreement with the Cairns Taipans.

Support to local organisations, including:

$1.6 million for the Cairns Regional Gallery$400,000 for the Cairns Historical Society$147,000 for the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

Council will also allocate $700,000 towards community events, such as Great Barrier Masters Reef Games, Carols in the Park, New Year’s Eve celebrations, citizenship ceremonies and International Women’s Day.

Recycling investment to keep waste from landfill

Council has allocated almost $6.7 million for operating costs associated with the Material Resource Facility (MRF).

More than $4.2 million of this will be offset through operating revenue, such as the sale of recyclables.

Some key figures for the Materials Recovery Facility:

7,500 tonnes processed for the Container Refund Scheme annually3,500 tonnes of glass sand created and used in local construction projects each year14,500,000 eligible containers processed through the MRF for Container Refund Scheme (CRS) refunds each year5,500 tonnes of paper and cardboard recovered and sold per year instead of going to landfillOver 100 tonnes of aluminium cans recovered and sold annually instead of going to landfill.

Safety boost through City Safe

Almost $5.3 million has been set aside for the City Safe program.

This is an increased allocation of $1.7 million on the previous year’s budget for more street-based security in the CBD and expansion into the suburbs.

From November 2023, 32 additional hours were added to street-based security in the CBD.

This allowed a two-zone approach to target hot spots and be prominent in multiple areas at one time.

The Public Space Patrol Officer program, which started in January this year, features five public safety officers and a community safety engagement officer.

Under the expanded plan, officers take an active role in addressing issues such as cleanliness or damage to public spaces. They will also undertake regular patrols of emerging hotspots to monitor and report suspicious activity, while supporting vulnerable persons to connect with services.

A further $475,000 will be set aside for new and renewal of the CCTV network.

Keeping our tropical city beautiful

Council has injected $57.4 million into our annual maintenance program this year to cover the upkeep of our beloved parks and nature areas, extensive road networks, and more.

Council maintains:

640 parks and nature areas1,628 km of road transport network1,705 km of kerb and channelling150 km of on-road cycle lanes543 km of sealed footpaths208 pedestrian bridges254 bus shelters840 litter bins85 public toilet blocks

Council also increased its budget allocation by $1.5 million to ensure community spaces and parks are even better maintained.

Making Cairns the Arts Capital of Northern Australia

Council is dedicating nearly $12.5 million to support the arts in Cairns.

The funding will keep our Cairns Gallery Precinct, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Munro Martin Parklands and the Tanks Arts Centre thriving.

This includes $1 million to ensure the new Mulgrave Gallery can welcome visitors when it opens later this year.

Council expects around $4.8 million in revenue from our arts facilities, to help offset the operating costs.

The local arts and culture industry puts about $126 million into the city’s economy and employs more than 1,000 people.

The Cairns Gallery Precinct will connect three heritage spaces: Cairns Gallery, Court House Gallery, and Mulgrave Gallery (former Mulgrave Shire Council offices).

More funding for Cairns Festival

Council has allocated $862,000 to facilitate a 10-day Cairns Festival program, to be held from 23 August to 1 September.

The annual event showcases local, national and international entertainment, including music, theatre, film and comedy, and also highlight the city’s rich cultural diversity.

Traditionally popular events such as the Grand Parade and Carnival on Collins return to the 2024 program, complemented by the return of the stunning immersive light show Reef Lights.

The program features free and ticketed events.