MAYOR Karen Williams hopes the state government will allocate significant funding for Redlands roads, public transport and marine infrastructure when it hands down its budget on June 12.
Cr Williams said state funding for North Stradbroke Island’s economic transition away from sand mining was a priority for council.
“The Straddie economic transition and major transport projects are desperately needed now,” she said.
“Redlanders will be very disappointed should the state government not recognise that need despite the evidence we have presented and continual requests for support.
”We are now about 12 months away from the end of sand mining on Straddie and already the effects are being seen, so we need more support in this year’s state budget for Straddie’s economy, along with the on-the-ground projects vital to support the island.”
She said immediate commitment was needed from the government to fund marketing campaigns and provide seed funding for local business opportunities.
Cr Williams said she hoped the Redlands would receive its own mini budget within the state budget.
Redlands MP Kim Richards and former LNP MP Matt McEachan have both pushed for Redlands to be listed as a separate region in the budget.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said she would look at the measure as part of the budget process.
With regard to infrastructure, Cr Williams said council hoped there would be funding for public transport initiatives and upgrades to state roads including Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and Moreton Bay Road.
“I will particularly be looking for commitments to the Eastern Busway and the Cleveland rail line duplication.
“Given the Cleveland rail line is at capacity and major cross-boundary roads congested, Redlanders deserve to see money allocated for these.”
Cr Williams said council wanted the state to fully fund new marine infrastructure which was critical to the 10,000 island residents.
“I am hoping to see some of the $26 million needed over the next five years to upgrade the ferry terminals on Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands.”
Cr Williams said they also hoped the state government would add to the $250,000 raised over four years through the Diner en Rouge events to provide crisis accommodation for people affected by domestic and family violence.
Also on council’s wish list was funding for the proposed Redlands Surf Lifesaving Centre of Excellence and Resilience Centre at Cleveland, a reprieve from state-imposed bulk water cost increases, a commitment to finalise master planning for the Redlands hospital precinct, greater financial assistance to manage mosquitoes on state land and support for staged retrofitting of state-owned roads to facilitate wildlife movement and assistance to implement long-term monitoring of wildlife populations.
“These are genuine and achievable measures which need addressing and, in some cases, have been in discussion for a long, long time,” Cr Williams said.
