Parks and regional events high on budget list

Toowoomba Regional Council acknowledged the value of the region’s parks and bushland reserves with an allocation of $17.4 million in this year’s budget.

Tourism, Recreation and Special Events portfolio chair Cr Joe Ramia said parks played a vital role in the wellbeing of local communities by providing places of outdoor relaxation and recreation.

“Council has been prudent in allocating more than $1.1m dollars to the acquisition of parkland across the region.

“This is in addition to the hundreds of hectares of public parks and gardens already maintained by council staff.

“Ratepayers across the region will be pleased to learn that $39,000 has been allocated so that they will now be eligible for council’s annual free plant giveaway which entitles them to two free plants or tube stock as part of a ‘greening the region’ initiative.

“Development of Oakey’s waterbird habitat will continue with a $151,350 budget allocation. This project has involved the reclamation of an old refuse site and swamp area and conversion into a community recreation facility. 

“The 10 hectare site, consisting of a lagoon, native vegetation, 1.5km of walking tracks, shelters, seating and barbecues, is expected to be completed some time in 2011.”

Cr Ramia said playground and equipment upgrades for premier parks across Toowoomba would receive $173,000 in the budget.

Other specific allocations to development and maintenance of the region’s parks include:
•    $50,000 for park equipment in Greenmount district
•    $25,000 for development of parkland in Mottee St -Garvan Court at Highfields
•    $20,000 to protection and conservation of Parrot Tree Park watercourse at Meringandan
•    $15,800 to upgrade existing infrastructure at Cooby Dam
•    $15,000 on equipment in the Elsie Jones Park at Clifton
•    $15,000 on the Bethnell Green Park concept plan at Clifton
•    $20,000 to beautify the corner of Curnow and Charlotte Streets in Crows Nest
•    $80,000 on the Shooter Park development at Oakey
•    $30,000 for the provision of soft-fall areas at the Lions Park in Pittsworth
•    $25,800 on water-wise gardens at the Goombungee Community Centre
•    $15,000 to replace aged street trees in Pittsworth
•    $20,000 on upgrading and replacing park equipment at Millmerran
•    $65,000 for a major upgrade of the waterbird habitat in Toowoomba
•    $10,500 for signs and furniture in Toowoomba’s escarpment parks
•    $15,000 to match infrastructure development funding raised by the Friends of the State Rose Garden in Newtown Park
•    $31,500 for playgrounds and sandpits/soft-fall areas in local Toowoomba parks
•    $20,000 upgrade of Back Creek Park at Millmerran
•    $52,500 for playground equipment upgrades in local Toowoomba parks
•    $20,000 on replacing a shelter at Walpole Park in Millmerran
•    $50,000 for new furniture and equipment in local Toowoomba parks and
•    $50,000 in developing new parklands in Toowoomba.

“In the tourism and events area, council has allocated $75,000 to match the State Government dollar-for-dollar in a $150,000 sports tourism initiative to attract tourism through hosting sporting events in the region.

“Council has also allocated $10,000 to a community celebration marking Queensland’s 150th birthday in 2009.

“A budget allocation of $21,300 has been earmarked for a portable ‘smart screen’, an eight metre wide inflatable screen and projector for community events and entertainment.

“The Visitor Information Centre at Yarraman will receive $11,250 in this budget to support volunteers in office activity, rental assistance and advertising.

“Some of the funding allocated to Jondaryan Woolshed has been specifically earmarked for formulation of a business development plan to determine their future direction.”

Cr Ramia said provision had also been made in the budget to continue support of community events through the Community Events Support Scheme.