Council
10 September, 2024
Councils advocate
Somerset and Moreton Bay councils are putting in their pleas for the State Government, as the election period draws closer in October.
Both mayors are asking the State Government to improve their investments, with Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt highlighting the Brisbane Valley Highway (BVH) as a point of focus, while Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery is emphasising the rapidly growing population of his area and lack of funding to support it.
As part of Somerset’s pleas, Council has launched an advocacy roadmap, calling on the State to address six key challenges impacting the region, including fixing the BVH, investing in Seqwater’s recreational and sporting assets ahead of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, helping the fight against fire ants, committing to water security by investing in the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative, and passing on proceeds from the State Government Waste Levy so council can upgrade regional waste transfer stations.
“At the end of the day, Somerset Regional Council needs a State Government who will invest in our region and will commit to making changes for a stronger future that prioritises our regional communities,” Cr Wendt said.
“This advocacy roadmap provides clarity on what we are asking for from the State Government.
“Too often our community is left behind and we are proud to stand up and advocate for our region. It’s time the State Government listened.”
Regarding the BVH upgrade, Council is calling on the State Government to invest $84 million over the next four years, as Somerset is economically dependent on the highway, which is a majority one-star safety-rated road, carrying up to 11,000 vehicles per day.
“The State’s current spending of $20 million on the BVH will not fi x this road. It’s a deathtrap and needs investment,” Cr Wendt said.
“This highway is the main artery into Somerset and, in its current state, is the biggest impediment to the growth of our region.
“We don’t need anymore patch jobs. We need proper investment from the State and a long-term sustainable upgrade to the Brisbane Valley Highway.”
Cr Wendt called the highway “embarrassing”, as council has engaged independent consultants on a few council strategies and, in many instances, the state of the BVH is listed as an impediment to growth.
The $84 million investment Council is asking for would be to enhance road safety, improve the surfacing and pavement, and improve the freight and transport links across Somerset, South Burnett, Darling Downs and the Warrego Highway.
Council will also be seeking support from all levels of government to release a portion of the SEQ City Deal funding to develop a long-term upgrade plan for the BVH.
Moreton Bay Council, on the other hand, is pushing for more funding to support the rapid population growth of the area, arguing it’s one of the lowest funded South East Queensland (SEQ) councils per capita.
Part of their asks include more homes and services for people doing it tough, more connections and better roads, more community infrastructure, further investment in technologies to improve safety, such as Licence Plate Recognition and CCTV, and more care for wildlife, asking for a dedicated wildlife hospital to be built in the region.
Cr Flannery said the alarming underinvestment by successive State Governments in Moreton Bay was demonstrated by independent analysis prepared for Council.
The State Investment Data Review (SIDR) used data from the Queensland Government Investment Portal (QGIP), the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP), State budget capital statements, and State Government media statements.
According to the SIDR, there was an obvious inequity of expenditure per capita in Moreton Bay when compared to other cities such as Ipswich, Logan, Redland, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
“With one in ten Queensland voters living here, it is time for political parties to realise that City of Moreton Bay matters,” Cr Flannery said.
Cr Flannery said the underinvestment in City of Moreton Bay has been confirmed by two separate reports, namely Queensland Audit Off ice’s Major projects 2023: (Report 7: 2023-24) and Suburban Futures’ response to draft Shaping SEQ 2023 Update.
“This disparity of investment is further exacerbated when considering City of Moreton Bay is undergoing a population boom and will experience similar population growth to Ipswich and Logan, based on population projections to 2041,” Cr Flannery said.
“There is no doubt that the official under estimation of our population growth over the past decade or more has fed this under investment.
“We’re still playing ‘catch up’ to support previous growth and this widespread inequity has considerable repercussions for our residents.”
Cr Flannery said Council is calling for an honest discussion with all political parties in the lead up to the State elections, ensuring “Moreton Bay matters” and the voices of the community are heard.
The asks from Council are based off research, which shows Moreton Bay has fewer social housing dwellings per 10,000 people than Ipswich, Logan and Redland, while also lagging behind comparable areas, despite a larger and fastergrowing population.
Planned major public sector infrastructure investment from 2021 to 2033 for Moreton has been $2.7 billion, compared to Logan-Beaudesert and Ipswich, who are projected to receive investment of $6 billion.
To find out more about each Council’s State Government Election asks visit:
somerset.qld.gov.au/advocacy
or
www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Council/Moreton-BayMatters
