News
5 October, 2024
Election promises fly
With less than four weeks to the October 26 state election both Labor and the LNP are responding to City of Moreton Bay’s (CMB) calls top address key issues for the region.
Commitments have already been made for extra CCTV as well as $15m towards a wildlife hospital.
Both of these issues are part of CMB’s Moreton Bay Matters campaign, which identifies five key issues Council wants the next Queensland Government to commit to, in the lead-up to the state election.
Labor’s sitting state members for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, and Pumicestone, Ali King, announced a $1 million election commitment last week to make the Moreton Bay community safer by installing extra CCTV cameras.
This aims to address MBRC’s call for additional cameras to help deter vandalism and enhance public safety.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the election promise was a welcomed boost, as CCTV infrastructure provides an important deterrent and “valuable tool” to local law enforcement.
“We’ve heard the community calls to crack down on vandalism and crime,” he said.
“City of Moreton Bay has already implemented one of the largest local government CCTV networks in Queensland, and this very welcome announcement will expand our safety network so residents can continue to feel secure in their own homes and public spaces.
“We look forward to discussions with all political parties to ensure City of Moreton Bay matters and the voices of our community are heard.”
Cr Flannery emphasised how CCTV cameras also support disaster operations and flood monitoring, in addition to deterring crime and assisting police.
Over the weekend, the LNP joined the race, with David Crisafulli MP announcing a $15 million state-of-the-art wildlife hospital at Dakabin, if the LNP is elected in October.
Cr Flannery thanked the LNP for their support and called on the current government to match the election commitment.
“We look forward to discussions with the Government and the opposition to ensure the voices of our community are heard,” he said.
According to Cr Flannery, this is a crucial project, as injured local wildlife in Moreton Bay have to be driven up to two hours for emergency care.
“City of Moreton Bay has worked tirelessly with the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation over a number of years to get this critical project off the ground,” the Mayor said.
“The new facility will significantly reduce travel times and increase wildlife survival rates, while taking a load off hardworking local carers and existing facilities.
“We all have an obligation to protect native animals, and this shows how serious we are about our role as caretakers in this beautiful part of the world.”
CMB has already allocated a $3 million parcel of Council land at Dakabin to accelerate construction of the facility.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital would be a gamechanger for urgent wildlife care and scientific research.
“The LNP will deliver a wildlife hospital for Moreton Bay to provide world-class care for native animals and vital environmental and animal science education for Queensland school kids, university students, and researchers,” he said.
More info on Council’s calls can be found at moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Council/Moreton-Bay-Matters
