Sporting and cultural facilities score well in council budget

The region’s sporting and cultural assets have scored well in the Toowoomba Regional Council’s first budget.

Council’s Community, Cultural and Sporting Facilities portfolio spokesperson Cr Ros Scotney said the budget demonstrated council’s commitment to sporting and recreational projects across the region.

“This commitment is demonstrated in our allocation of $300,000 to match State Government Active Recreation grants available to develop sporting infrastructure and facilities across the region.

“To better gauge what sporting and recreation facilities there are across the region, and to identify gaps, council has allocated $80,000 to commission a development plan.

“This plan is essential to guide long-term infrastructure and funding requirements for sport and recreation facilities across the region.”

Cr Scotney said Oakey pool users would benefit from a budget allocation of $150,000 to improve maintenance, community safety and water management practices.

“In addition, recently identified shortcomings in replacing gymnasium equipment at Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre will be addressed with an $85,000 allocation.

“Restoration of the historic Clifton Butter Factory will be completed this financial year with an injection of council and State Government funding of $75,000 in this budget.  The project was partly funded by the Q150 celebrations program.”

Expenditure on other regional community sporting and recreational projects includes:
•    $180,000 redevelopment of Factory Dam at Millmerran
•    $20,000 upgrade to power distribution facilities at the Pittsworth Showgrounds
•    $40,000 on re-surfacing tennis courts at Millmerran
•    $50,000 on fencing the Gowrie Junction Federation Community Sport and Recreation Hall
•    $74,000 upgrading existing sport and recreation facilities in Toowoomba
•    $65,000 resurfacing the Millmerran Sports Centre floor
•    $25,000 on the oval upgrade and for cricket nets at Hodgson Vale
•    $6,500 to Emu Creek Cricket Club at Crows Nest
•    $5,500 for a new storage shed at Cecil Plains swimming pool
•    $5,000 for a new ramp at Wyreema skate park
•    $5,000 towards a seat and shelter at Cambooya skate park
•    $10,000 for a multi-purpose court at Yarraman
•    $10,000 at Nobby Cemetery and
•    $5,000 for a shed at Cabarlah Cemetery.

“Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery will benefit to the tune of $47,300 for the acquisition of artworks and furniture and fittings. 

“Art lovers will also be interested in the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery’s digitisation project worth $20,000 wherein a grant has been offered to digitise images from the collection and make them available on-line.

“Council considers the maintenance of quality library materials a high priority and together with a State Government grant, has allocated $783,436 to the purchase of library books and materials across the region.

“In addition, $44,500 has been allocated to special needs, recreation and education materials and the Local History Library.

“The Pittsworth community will benefit from the relocation and fit-out of the Pittsworth Library.  At a capital cost of $105,000 and by allocating an additional $40,000 to the operating budget, the library will relocate to vacant space opposite the service centre.  This will provide four times the space, more books and  weekly story-time sessions.

“Perhaps the most exciting library initiative is council’s allocation of $130,000 to an integrated software management system accessible by all regional libraries giving expanded access to library materials.

“Once implemented, library customers can borrow from all libraries using one card and return borrowed items to their nearest or most convenient library.

“In terms of museum facilities, Council has also allocated $15,000 as part of ongoing refurbishment of the Pioneer Village at Pittsworth.

“In this year’s budget, council has also extended free access to Cobb and Co Museum for all residents across the region, at a total cost to council of $65,000,” Cr Scotney concluded.