Capital works $93.75m in Budget 2012-13

Cairns Regional Council will inject more than $93.7 million worth of capital works into the region as Council focuses on building the foundations for growth in the 2012-13 Budget.

A significant portion of works is attributed to transport infrastructure, with $21.3m to be spent on the region’s bridges, road networks, street lighting and implementation of the Cycling and Walking Strategy.

Council’s Water and Waste unit will continue to carry out important infrastructure projects within its $32.7m capital works program.

Mayor Bob Manning said Council had developed a Capital Works program that provided a base for the revitalisation of the region’s business and community centres and outer suburbs.

“This Capital Works budget displays a commitment to our communities,” Cr Manning said.

“$1m will be spent targeting dust and road shoulder issues throughout the region in the suburban enhancement program and approximately $5.7m will be spent of our road reseal and overlays.

“It is planned that the staged refurbishment of the historic School of Arts Building will go ahead this year at a cost of $3.8 million for the first stage.

“We have also allocated $1m for implementation of the City Centre Master Plan and $500,000 to each of the Port Douglas Waterfront Master Plan and Daintree Gateway Master Plan.

“Each of these projects will be ongoing, but this initial expenditure allows us to set the agenda for future improvement works.

“Work has already started on the Edmonton Leisure Centre, which will be built to a Category 5 wind-load standard. Council is the main financial contributor to this project and almost $4m has been allocated in this financial year to complete this much-needed community facility.”

FAST FACTS
Corporate Services $6.69 million

Planning and Environment $660,000

Community, Sport and Cultural Facilities $17.025 million

• More than $1 million for the region’s libraries
• Stage 1 refurbishment School of Arts Building $3.8 million
• $3.98 million Edmonton Leisure Centre
• $830,000 Manunda Sporting Precinct

Infrastructure Services $36.65 million:

• $3 million on drainage projects including the Vulcan Street drainage scheme
• Transport - $21.3 million including  $4.2 million on road reseals and overlays; $1.5 million road rehabilitation works; $1.025 million on street lighting; $1.2 million Redlynch Intake Road; $1 million Suburban Enhancement Program; $940,000 Barron Gorge Road improvements.
• Major master plan projects $2 million including $1 million City Centre Master Plan projects and $500,000 each toward Port Douglas Master Plan and Daintree Gateway projects.
• $500,000 shoreline erosion management works

Water and Waste $32.7 million:

• $1.5 million Portsmith Landfill power generation plant
• $1.4 million Marlin Coast Waste Water Treatment Plant dewatering system
• $3.25 million sewer relining program
• $3.7 million design of recycled water systems for Smithfield Village, Yorkeys Knob and Paradise Palms.