REDLAND mayor Karen Williams hopes transport infrastructure, North Stradbroke Island's transition and the Southern Moreton Bay island ferry terminals will receive funding in the state budget to be handed down next week.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
"As always on top of the wish-list is transport infrastructure," Cr Williams said.
"We need investment and a firm commitment to building the transport infrastructure we need, in particular the duplication of the Cleveland rail line, upgrade of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and delivery of the Eastern Busway.
"I am also keen to see some extra commitment for North Stradbroke Island, including some form of community benefit fund to help local community groups and businesses during the current transition."
Cr Williams said she had discussed this and the need for immediate transport solutions on the island with the state government.
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said an upgrade of Redland Hospital was one of the city's biggest needs.
"In five budgets more should have been achieved than the start of a business case to have an upgrade," Mr Robinson said.
"There should be substantial investment in state roads like the duplication of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road, the Shore Street West and Wellington Street intersection upgrade and the Gateway Motorway on-ramp at Old Cleveland Road."
Mr Robinson also called for funding to return services cut from the Cleveland rail line and for the North Stradbroke Island's economic transition.
"The resource sector jobs end this year and the insufficient economic transition strategy funding will soon dry up, leaving residents without jobs and opportunities," Mr Robinson said.
Federal MP Andrew Laming said that he expected the state budget would include funding for a small section of Cleveland-Redland Bay and an upgraded Gateway Motorway access.
"That's because the Labor MPs ran petitions - it's a bit of a giveaway," Mr Laming said.
However, top of his road upgrade list would be duplication of the full length of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and Mount Cotton Road towards Mount Gravatt.
Cr Williams said she also hoped the Southern Moreton Bay Island ferry terminals and the proposed Surf Life Saving Queensland Centre of Excellence would receive funding.
"We have recently seen local community groups such as BIG struggling due to reduced government funding and I would love to see some extra funding in the budget for these groups," Cr Williams said.
"Funding for an upgrade to the Redlands Hospital is also critical."
Read more local news here.