REDLAND people have been dudded by the state government budget, with locals receiving a small share of funding when compared with cities of a similar size, says Redlands LNP MP Matt McEachan.
Mr McEachan said Redland city had been given no action plan of its own by the government but rather was lumped in with Brisbane.
“(Redlands is) the only major population area and independent city not subject to this state budget (action plan) process,’’ he said.
Mr McEachan said the budget gave $97 million to the Cairns urban area.
“Redland city, with an almost identical population … receives up to $15 million,” he told Parliament.
“...It is also worth pointing out that of the $15 million for Redlands … nearly $10 million is for the (North) Stradbroke Island transition (from mining).”
Mr McEachan said Stradbroke was going from a vibrant and diversified economy to a singular one dependent on tourism.
“From the mayor to the Redland City Chamber of Commerce to Straddie residents, they know that this transition strategy is hopelessly inadequate,” he said.
Mr McEachan said more police also were needed at Redlands.
“How many more police on the beat for Redland Bay, Cleveland, Russell Island and Macleay Island police stations are budgeted for?” he asked.
“None. But that is okay, says Labor, you will get Cross River Rail.”
Mr McEachan said Cross River Rail was a con job. It took some southern Redlands residents 45 minutes to get to Cleveland railway station in peak hour only to find services cancelled.
He said local schools were overflowing with pupils but there was no planning in place for a new school in southern parts of the city.
Ironically, Bowman MP Andrew Laming and Redland councillor Paul Gleeson earlier this month accused the state government of pre-election pork barrelling when it gave a grant to the Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club to repair flood damage from ex-Cyclone Debbie.
The club will get a total of $181,500 from the budget for air-conditioning, broadcasting equipment, starting boxes, a track upgrade and water storage.
Capalaba Labor MP Don Brown has said substantial spending was underway in Redlands, including cross river rail, $4.2 million for widening of Redland Bay road at Sheldon; $2 million for a new Early Years' Service at Capalaba State College; $389,535 for vulnerable women; $16.3 million for disability services; $659,087 for libraries; and $917,000 for 23 accommodation units.
A total of $10,000 also was being spent upgrading lighting for Capalaba Bulldogs and touch football at John Fredrick Park and a further $50,000 to upgrade the cricket nets at Muddies Cricket Club.