BCC Budget 2014

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Frugal council budget targets infrastructure

Modest. Prudent. No surprises.

Modest. Prudent. No surprises.

For the second consecutive year, fiscal conservatism is the hallmark of the Brisbane City Council budget, one which, by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's own admission, is a largely unexciting one.

Homeowners can expect a modest 3.85 per cent jump in their rates bill, an average of nearly $50 annually or 92 cents per week.
Kingsford-Smith Drive upgrades feature in the council budget.

Kingsford-Smith Drive upgrades feature in the council budget.

Elsewhere, its a largely grassroots-centric 2014-15 budget with roads, rates and the river key focuses.

Council debt accrued to pay for its large-scale infrastructure program is set to reach its peak of $2.3 billion this year before falling to $1.9 billion following the payment of a $400 million Federal Government contribution the Legacy Way tunnel upon its early 2015 completion.

Accordingly, this is a budget that lacks any big ticket items.

The council's largest investment in the coming financial year is $200 million in the city's future infrastructure program.

That program will see the beginning of long-awaited upgrades to traffic bottlenecks Kingsford-Smith Drive and Wynnum Road, as well as an upgrade to Paradise Road, Larapinta, in Brisbane's south.

Tackling road congestion is a key focus, through the road upgrades as well as significant investment in public and active transport, including $33.9 million for 60 new buses.

There is also $26 million for the establishment of key bikeway links.

There's good news for the city's motorists, with a 12-month freeze on metered parking and, as foreshadowed by the Lord Mayor following the State Budget, the council-funded 40 per cent pensioner concession remains, capped at $901 for full pensioners.

Cr Quirk said the $2.9 billion budget, his fourth as Lord Mayor, focused on managing the city's finances in a prudent and responsible manner.

"This is a Budget that is modest by design with no surprises or extravagant spending announcements," he said.

"This Budget focuses on the priorities that ratepayers expect like modern and reliable public transport, congestion busting road infrastructure and the maintenance and enhancements of assets and services that are the hallmarks of a new world city.

"We are making a significant investment in the future of Brisbane, to ensure we're not just delivering what we need now but what is necessary for future generations.

"These projects have been identified for future funding and delivery due to their capacity to make both immediate and long-term positive impacts in the lives of residents."

In the lead-up to the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, nearly $1 million has been allocated to the restoration of suburban ANZAC memorials.

The Lord Mayor said residents could expect to see several large river barges taking up residence on Brisbane's main waterway during the next 12 months as a number of critical infrastructure projects were delivered.

These include new ferry terminals at Milton and Bretts Wharf and terminal upgrades at Bulimba and Hawthorne, the completion of the Riverwalk project and geotechnical investigations for the Kingsford Smith Drive expansion.

"Barges on the river, just like cranes in the city skyline, are a good indicator of development activity," Cr Quirk said.

He said the average increases to council's fees and charges would be in line with CPI at 3.1 per cent.

The budget also includes $15 million over the next two years for the Voluntary Home Purchase Scheme to purchase properties affected by creek or local flooding.

The scheme was placed on hold last year to fast track the installation of priority backflow prevention devices to minimise flood risk at key locations around the city.

At a glance, key features of the 2014-15 Budget include:

    $33.9 million for 60 new air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible buses
    $2.1 million towards the delivery of two new CityCats
    $4.7 million for new ferry terminal at Milton
    $4.6 million to improve the flow of buses at the Melbourne St busway portal
    $26 million towards construction of key bikeway links
    $1 million for new skate park facility at Bracken Ridge
    $6.4 million towards two new pools at Parkinson and Bracken Ridge
    $2 million towards the Forest Lake Community Hall
    $3.8 million for new Multicultural Performing Arts Centre at Sunnybank


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/frugal-council-budget-targets-infrastructure-20140617-zsb25.html

No mention of BaT?

[ozbob]

" ... $4.6 million to improve the flow of buses at the Melbourne St busway portal ... "

Good!

[techblitz]

$33.9 million for 60 new air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible buses

and how about giving south-west buses(routes 101,103,122 etc) some more wheelchair accessable buses.....passengers still have to ring ahead on these services to organise/make sure they have access to an accessible bus!......and a lot still dont even know that they have to...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane City Council budget: rates up, debt down

[ozbob]

$33.9 million for 60 new air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible buses

and how about giving south-west buses(routes 101,103,122 etc) some more wheelchair accessable buses.....passengers still have to ring ahead on these services to organise/make sure they have access to an accessible bus!......and a lot still dont even know that they have to...

Good topic for some media?   

[ozbob]

4BC --> The BCC Budget

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane City Council budget: bus bottleneck, roadworks, bikeways, ferry stops funded

One of Brisbane's worst bus choke points will receive a $4.6 million makeover as a result of the Brisbane City Council budget.

The bus connection, where the South East Busway enters Melbourne Street at South Brisbane, is now too narrow for the number of buses using it.

It is now used by 40 more buses per hour than in 2001.
Brisbane City Council has allocated funds for new buses and to tackle bus congestion in South Brisbane.

Brisbane City Council has allocated funds for new buses and to tackle bus congestion in South Brisbane. Photo: Michelle Smith

The extra buses are causing major weekday traffic congestion on the Victoria Bridge, around the Queensland Performing Arts Complex and South Brisbane.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the entry and exit on to Melbourne Street would be widened at a cost of $4.6 million.

"During the morning peak we have about 160 buses inbound - per hour - using the South East Busway tunnel portal at Melbourne Street," Cr Quirk said.

"That is about 40 more per hour compared to when the portal opened in 2001 and it has become a real choke point.

"The work will widen the tunnel portal to improve the access and the safety for the buses entering and exiting the tunnel.

"It is currently too narrow for the number of bus movements that are occurring."

Cr Quirk said widening the exit - almost opposite the Fox Hotel on Melbourne Street, South Brisbane - would make it easier for bus drivers.

The budget also shows 60 new buses will be built this year - down from 100 per year until 2013 - because the state government trimmed back the public transport subsidy to Brisbane City Council in last year's council budget.

However for the first time, all of Brisbane's buses will have disability access by the end of this financial year, Cr Quirk said ...

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-city-council-budget-bus-bottleneck-roadworks-bikeways-ferry-stops-funded-20140618-zsd3r.html

[ozbob]

$33.9 million for 60 new air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible buses

and how about giving south-west buses(routes 101,103,122 etc) some more wheelchair accessable buses.....passengers still have to ring ahead on these services to organise/make sure they have access to an accessible bus!......and a lot still dont even know that they have to...

Good topic for some media?

Looks like all buses will have full access by the end of the year .. so good outcome.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane City Council budget: rates up, debt down

[SurfRail]

There are currently fewer than 70 high floor buses left in the entire fleet, which with another 60 or more due by this time next year will enable 100% replacement.

Should be a nice, young fleet for the inheritors of the service contract to play with...

[STB]

There are currently fewer than 70 high floor buses left in the entire fleet, which with another 60 or more due by this time next year will enable 100% replacement.

Should be a nice, young fleet for the inheritors of the service contract to play with...

This is more of an enthusiasts question, but what routes do those 70 odd high floor buses generally do?  I wouldn't mind taking a ride and getting some photos of them before they are phased out completely.

[techblitz]

^routes around mt ommaney,inala.....are one area you can find them in use
101,102,103,122 ex garden city might be your best bet stb...or connect from oxley,richlands,darra stations on one of the others...
There was a situation at oxley station yesterday.....where one of those buses turned up but there was a wheelchair bound pax that wanted to board and head to inala.(route 101).

[ozbob]

Council Annual Plan and Budget 2014-15

> http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/council-information-rates/news-publications/council-annual-plan-budget-2014-15

[ozbob]

No mention of BaT.  I think the Melbourne St portal works might be a harbinger of BaT coming down with lyssavirus ...

[SurfRail]

^routes around mt ommaney,inala.....are one area you can find them in use
101,102,103,122 ex garden city might be your best bet stb...or connect from oxley,richlands,darra stations on one of the others...
There was a situation at oxley station yesterday.....where one of those buses turned up but there was a wheelchair bound pax that wanted to board and head to inala.(route 101).

The buses in question (all Volvo B10Ms of mid-90s vintage) all live at Eagle Farm or Virginia except for the handful leased out to Hornibrook (some at South West Transit which do the local Inala / Oxley services TB has mentioned above, and some at "actual" Hornibrook which do I expect mainly school work now). 

The 310 seems to be a popular route for them at the moment if you want a longer ride.  If you hover around in town long enough you will see one on some other route on Adelaide St or at the Cultural Centre.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Reinvigorated riverfront Quirk's legacy