THE Labor government has moved to reassure Redlanders they have not been neglected in the Queensland budget.
During a visit to Redland Bay on Monday, Treasurer Jackie Trad said the government was delivering on its election promises.
“We are investing in public transport infrastructure. We are investing in education infrastructure, in health infrastructure but also in terms of service delivery, more teachers, more doctors, more nurses, more teacher aides, more police,” she said.
While Redlands did not get a regional action plan – as was advocated for by former Redlands MP Matt McEachan – in last week’s budget the government did compile a list of allocations for the electorate, which it shared with the Redland City Bulletin.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said this document outlined “everything in every sector” which was no different to a regional action plan.
When asked why Redlands did not get a formal plan in the budget – as is the case with Logan, Darling Downs, Ipswich, Mackay and Townsville – Ms Trad said the real question was whether the government was delivering for the Redlands, rather than whether there was a special document for the Redlands.
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson and federal MP Andrew Laming last week said Redlands was snubbed in the Queensland budget. Mayor Karen Williams said she had scoured the budget trying to find what was in it for Redland residents but detail was difficult to find. She said that she would ask the state government for information.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said on Monday budget allocations included Victoria Point’s $7.2 million bus station in Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and a $500,000 feasibility study on a Victoria Point bypass, both to start later this year.
Ms Richards said the feasibility study would look into a route along Springacre, Kingfisher, Bunker and Double Jump roads to avoid Victoria Point.
“These roads form an official bypass around the area, which locals know as the Victoria Point bypass,” Ms Richards said.
“This route bypasses the busy Victoria Point key activity precinct and avoids several intersections with traffic lights along Cleveland-Redland Bay Road.”
Ms Richards said capacity at the bus station on Colburn Avenue, Victoria Point could not be increased, security was a concern and there were no driver facilities.
Mr Bailey said a $5 million upgrade to the Anita Street intersection on Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and an upgrade to the intersection of Mount Cotton and Seaview roads were also in the budget.
The Mount Cotton intersection upgrade includes the installation of traffic lights, a pedestrian crossing, street lighting, pavement widening, bus zone relocation and drainage improvements.
