Engineering Services - Budget

Toowoomba Regional Council’s 2009 -10 budget allocates $34.7 million for new engineering works and projects designed to improve and promote projected growth and development across the region.

Engineering Services portfolio leader Cr Carol Taylor said an additional $5.4 million was planned for new works this year compared with the previous year.

Cr Taylor said the provision of additional funds reinforced council’s determination to maintain and upgrade vital infrastructure used by all residents.

“Engineering projects remain core local government responsibilities and this budget provides funds for council to plan, design and perform top priority projects around the entire region,” she said.

“Engineering officers worked in tandem with district service officers to determine exactly where and which projects would be performed in the coming year.

“This cooperation between council branches ensured all project requests could be assessed fairly.

“This work pattern is part of a thorough review and valuation of council’s entire asset base.

“This process further enhances council’s ability to plan for future works.”

Cr Taylor said despite the wider economic constraints council faced in its budget review, the 2009-10 engineering works program maintained programs to improve infrastructure and enhance facilities for all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Fundamental engineering works provide a vital foundation for long-term planning and development across our region.

“Council’s commitment to improving and upgrading the Engineering Infrastructure Maintenance Program is highlighted by a $36.8m maintenance budget.”

Cr Taylor said road construction works for resheeting, resealing and asphalt works had increased to $8.5m compared with $5.4m allocated last year.

“Council has set aside $1.8m for stormwater drainage improvement works around the region,” she said.

“Major runway improvement work will continue at Toowoomba Airport to allow takeoffs in both directions and to improve overall safety.

“The existing apron will be extended to cater for existing passenger services, which council helped organise, and for general aviation services.

“Funding may extend to improvements and extensions to the existing taxiways servicing the hangars.”

Cr Taylor said council was reaping the benefits of a partnership with the University of Southern Queensland by funding scholarships for entry level and Third or Fourth Year Bachelor of Engineering (Civil or Environmental) students.

Cr Taylor said awarding scholarships was one solution to overcoming the skills shortage.

“The teamwork and contribution of the entire workforce is responsible for maintaining and building one of the largest sections of council’s total infrastructure,” she said.

“Engineering Services is responsible for a total road network of almost 9900km, which includes 3530km of sealed roads and 3022km of gravel roads. (excluding private roads and Mains Roads facilities).”

Cr Taylor said major projects planned for the coming year included:

• $564,000 for upgrade work on Kingsthorpe-Haden Road.
• $5.2m for airport upgrade and improvements at Toowoomba Airport.
• $520,000 for asphalt overlays in West Street, Toowoomba.
• $700,000 for Herries and Dent street, Toowoomba bridge and intersection upgrade.
• $364,000 for upgrade work at Drayton Wellcamp Road, Westbrook.
• $295,000 for stormwater management works at Westbrook.
• $850,000 for bridgework design and construction on Jondaryan - Evanslea Bridge Stage 1, Jondaryan.
• $288,000 for CBD revitalisation program at Yandilla Street, Pittsworth.
• $135,000 for upgrade works at Saal Road, Pittsworth.
• $385,000 for upgrade works at Cecil Plains - Moonie Road, Millmerran.
• $80,000 to upgrade parking facilities at Back Creek Rest Area, Millmerran.
• $280,000 for upgrade works at Nobby Road, Greenmount.
• $230,000 for upgrade works at Shepperd Road, Wyreema.
• $411,000 for upgrade works on Geham – Groomsville Road, Groomsville.
• $150,000 for footpath and bikeway upgrades along the New England Highway from Cawdor to Ninderry roads, Highfields.
• $356,000 for upgrade works on Clifton – Pittsworth Road, Clifton.
• $220,000 for bridge upgrade work at Kessler Road, Clifton.