Legacy budget delivers

MAYOR Noel Playford has presented a draft Noosa budget focused on maintaining the shire’s infrastructure and delivering a $4.7 million “missing link” for the hinterland road network.
The draft was based on no increase in the general rate, but the preliminary budget meeting adopted a 1.3 per cent increase. This will increase the cash balance from $772,000 to $1,350,000.
The amended budget, including a new financial sustainability policy, will go before council for adoption on 29 June.
“This is my last budget and therefore a legacy budget for me,” Cr Playford said.
“It delivers on a commitment I made prior to the election, while a new financial sustainability policy promises to help keep council’s finances in good shape long-term.”
If adopted, the budget provides $4.7 million to seal the full four-kilometre gravel stretch of Dr Pages Road and part of Kinmond Creek Road at Cootharaba, in a project set to boost hinterland tourism.
“This has been on the table for more than 20 years and when I stood for mayor at the time of de-amalgamation I promised the community I’d prioritise it,” Cr Playford said.
“I’m pleased to announce that not only will this budget allow us to begin this project, it provides the funds needed to complete it, partly from savings achieved through increased efficiency.
“Sealing Dr Pages Road will allow for residents and tourists to enjoy a round trip from Tewantin out through the hinterland centres of Boreen Point, Kin Kin, Cooran, Pomona and Cooroy without travelling on a single gravel road.
“It will also provide an attractive route for hinterland cyclists. It’s the missing link and it stands to boost the towns’ tourism capacity.”
Cr Playford described the budget as a “triumph” for staff and councillors reflecting a whole-of-organisation effort to cut waste and improve efficiency.
“That exercise has freed up over a million dollars to be spent on a host of brand-new initiatives,” Cr Playford said.
“While future councils will not be able to achieve such big gains as this, the new financial sustainability policy will help deliver continued improvements.
“The budget also includes $300,000 to commence planning and design work for the Rufous Street redevelopment at Peregian Beach, which we are working on in collaboration with the community.
“In many other areas this is a business as usual budget as it provides the funds needed to continue the upkeep and timely renewal of council’s major assets and infrastructure.”
Also included in the budget is $60,000 for the refurbishment of the Sunrise Beach Shopping Centre, $85,000 for the refurbishment of the Noosa Heads Surf Club public amenities, $63,000 to rehabilitate the Sheraton boardwalk in Noosa Heads and $100,000 to give the shire’s playgrounds a new lease on life.
To view the budget, visit council’s website www.noosa.qld.gov.au.