Lush and inviting streetscape planning and improvements, environmental sustainability, supporting our community and projects to boost road safety are top priorities for Division 5 in the 2020/21 Sunshine Coast Council Budget.
Divisional Councillor Winston Johnston said the $6.2 million Division 5 Major Capital Works Program would deliver a diverse range of benefits to one of the region's largest geographical areas, along with $554,000 worth of minor capital works and divisional funding.
"The spectacular Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is among our nation's best subtropical rainforest locations, complemented by its state-of-the-art discovery centre," Cr Johnston said.
"Treasured by locals and visitors, this financial year council will invest $300,000 into a feasibility study as part of future plans to develop a new 24-hectare ecological park.
"We are also spending $100,000 on upgrading the picnic infrastructure at Mary Cairncross, to ensure our visitors have an improved experience."
The much-loved Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden at Tanawha is set to be transformed, with streetscaping to upgrade the entrance planned for 2020/21.
Streetscaping is also scheduled for the northern entrance of Montville's famous Main Street in 2020/21.
"Division 5 consists of many unique communities and I am excited to be working closely with each of them to deliver healthy, smart and creative projects that best suit their needs," Cr Johnston said.
"This is especially important as our community works together to support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery."
Cr Johnston said streetscaping and placemaking was about so much more than delivering physical infrastructure.
"It's about ensuring a design fit for each individual location and the community that utilises it," he said.
"This financial year we will be consulting closely with the community of Woombye to see how council can improve Blackall Street and this will also be happening in the Eudlo business area.
"I am committed to working in partnership with our residents and businesses to deliver initiatives to support both their economic and social needs."
Cr Johnston said road upgrades to improve safety were another major focus of this year's budget, with a $200,000 car park and pathway retaining wall for use by Woombye Primary School scheduled for construction in 2020/21.
"Safe access to schools is essential and council has secured $2.2 million in funding from the Queensland Government's School Transport Infrastructure Program to build a new $105,000 Stop-Drop-Go parking area and shared path along the northern verge of Glenview State School on Glenview Road," Cr Johnston said.
"We've also received funding from the Australian Government via the Black Spot Road Safety Program to deliver a $385,000 upgrade of Glenview Road at Glenview in 2020/21.
"This year Palmwoods will benefit from $180,000 to boost road safety in Margaret Street and 2020 will see works begin on an $865,000 upgrade to widen Diamond Valley Road at Diamond Valley."
In Eudlo, $655,000 has been committed to seal McGilchrist Road (currently a gravel road), and Elaman Creek Bridge at Elaman Creek will be restored with a $130,000 allocation.
Another major project will be a $600,000 sediment basin to improve stormwater quality at Kolora Park in Palmwoods.
Palmwoods is also set to receive $300,000 for a much needed renewal of the public amenities block at Sir Francis Nicklin Park, while the Plantation Rise Drive Park playground at Woombye will receive a $60,000 facelift.
Council's Road Reseal and Rehabilitation Program will see approximately $2.1 million invested in renewing and resurfacing roads in Conondale, Eudlo, Glenview, Hunchy, Maleny, Montville, Mooloolah, Palmview, Palmwoods, Witta and Woombye.
Sunshine Coast Council's 2020/21 budget will deliver improvements across all of our healthy, smart and creative region, including many programs and projects which will benefit Division 5.
