BCC Budget 2018-19

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane City Council Budget 2018/19 to continue funding for Brisbane Metro

WHAT should be the focus of the next Brisbane City Council budget? Better public transport? Road projects, or libraries, pools and parks?

A week out from handing down his 2018/19 Budget on June 13, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has promised funding for deliver new pools, aqua parks and action on traffic congestion.

He did not answer questions about whether residents should expect a rates rise but said there would be more funding for the council's big-ticket Brisbane Metro project.

Brisbane Metro, pool upgrades and aqua parks have featured in the Lord Mayor's past three budgets for Brisbane City.

"Brisbane is Australia's new world city and this budget will ensure our city continues to be a great place to live, work and relax for many years to come," Cr Quirk said.

Opposition leader Peter Cumming said the council should keep any rates rise at or below inflation, especially given years of wage stagnation.

"I'm urging the Quirk administration to rein in their spending. I think they need to keep their rates increase to the inflation rate, which is around 2 per cent," he said.

He said Cr Quirk should watch the council's spending and focus on small, local projects instead of major infrastructure works.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/emelleiot/status/1004569937808117760

[ozbob]

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/council-information-rates/news-publications/council-annual-plan-budget-2018-19

Now active ... 

[ozbob]

$717.3 million for delivering modern public and active transport systems:

    $126.5 million to subsidise public transport
    $33.6 million on CityCat and ferry services, including $4.5 million on a new CityCat
    $40.1 million on DDA compliant bus stops and ferry terminals
    $39.9 million on Brisbane Metro
    $33.9 million to purchase an additional 60 buses
    $959 thousand on new SpeedyCat - Express CityCat services.

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https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/20180613-annual_plan_and_budget_2018-19_full_document.pdf

Major initiatives in 2018-19 include:

• providing a Council public transport operating subsidy of $126.5 million
• continuing to deliver 60 new air-conditioned and accessible rigid equivalent buses, including 10 new
18 metre articulated buses
• continuing the $100 million program for bikeway infrastructure over four years to improve and provide active
transport connections to Brisbane's major employment areas
• sustaining the growth of the Cycling Brisbane program
• continue delivering detailed planning for the construction of future Disability Discrimination Act 1992
(DDA) compliant ferry terminals
• ongoing upgrades of Council's bus stops to provide a more accessible public transport network
• upgrading the Guyatt Park ferry terminal
• continuing the growth of the CityCycle scheme
• construction of a new CityCat.

[ozbob]

From Lord Mayor's 2018-19 Budget Speech

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/council-information-rates/news-publications/council-annual-plan-budget-2018-19#speech

MOBILITY - BRISBANE METRO

Last year, I spoke a lot about setting aside funding for the Brisbane Metro project. The Metro was a major commitment for my team at the 2016 election and we certainly haven't been sitting idle in progressing the project.

Madam Chairman, in the past eighteen months we have seen several key milestones reached which include:

submission of the business case and review by Infrastructure Australia;
an announcement that there would be two Metro lines;
listed as a High Priority Project on the nation's Infrastructure Priority List;
in April, we released the draft Design Report for community consultation;
and, in May this year, the Federal Government made a funding commitment of $300 million.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Chief Executive Adrian Dwyer recently said, "what's important is that the commonwealth increases its hard dollar funding commitments for infrastructure to prepare for rapid population growth over the next 30 years" and that is exactly what they have done with this investment into the Brisbane Metro and we thank them for doing so.

Madam Chairman, with the Brisbane Metro now fully funded, procurement could commence as early as July 2018, with design and construction commencing in 2019 and metro services to commence operation in 2023.

As the Deputy Premier said in correspondence about the Brisbane Metro last year, "The Metro will fundamentally change the way people move and connect in our city. I want to ensure we leverage the once-in-a-generation opportunities presented by the project."

I fully agree with that statement and encourage the State Government to work with my team in a timely fashion to clear the last remaining roadblocks. One issue that remains are the blocks of land at Woolloongabba and Eight Mile Plains. If not gifted by State Government to Brisbane City Council, this Council is absolutely prepared to enter into commercial arrangements with the State Government.

This Council is committed to continuing to work co-operatively with the State Government on the interface issues between Cross River Rail and the Metro.

[ozbob]

Did an interview with Ten News re BCC Budget.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/tennewsqld/status/1006806521274126336

[Jonno]

Like the State budget still way too much being spent "busting" congestion and cycling only gets a pittance!  City is still prioritising driving!!!