MAYOR Karen Williams has written to the state government, seeking a boost to its $28 million North Stradbroke Island transition from mining program.
Cr Williams said she feared there was insufficient funding for the program to meet its objectives which would leave council to pick up the bill.
“I remain concerned that inadequate financial support could lead to the transition being a costly economic failure, with drastic social consequences,’’ she wrote.
“I am also concerned that Redland City Council will be expected to pick up the tab for vital projects and planning that are the responsibility of the state.’’
A spokesman for State Development Minister Anthony Lynham would not say whether the government would boost spending, noting the financial injection was aimed at stimulating economic opportunities.
“Our long-term objective is to increase economic activity and employment in sectors where North Stradbroke Island already has a competitive advantage,’’ he said. “We understand and share council’s goal of boosting economic growth and jobs in the region.’’
Cr Williams said the region could not afford for the transition project to fail and a larger investment should be considered.
In December, Redland City Council lost a battle to have ex-HMAS Tobruk scuttled off North Stradbroke Island as a dive site, with the government choosing to give the prize to Wide Bay.
Cr Williams congratulated Wide Bay but rated the loss of the ship as particularly disheartening given the urgent need for a transition out of mining by 2019.
“Scuttling this ship would have been a perfect opportunity for the state and federal governments to get behind Redlands to support local jobs and tourism, especially given the short time frame and inadequate state funding to support a realistic economic transition,’’ she said.
In her letter to the government, Cr Williams commended it on its forecast $2 billion operating surplus, arguing that there was an opportunity for better investment in the Redlands.
There was also a need for better roads spending.
