Deagon Ward Councillor Jared Cassidy is calling for more funding for local projects and infrastructure ahead of the next Brisbane City Council Budget.
Due to be handed down in May, Cr Cassidy said it was time for the council to get back to basics.
“People want to see good value for money, they want to see their council investing in their communities, making them better places to live,” he said.
After surveying residents, Cr Cassidy said there were several local concerns including increasing funding for drainage.
“The importance of more funding for this basic work has become very evident before, during and after the February 2022 flood event,” he said.
“We need drainage upgrades to the system that runs from Kempster Street in Sandgate to Cabbage Tree Creek – there have been increasing instances of localised flooding after rain due to the drainage systems either not being maintained or are now inadequate.”
There were also calls to fully fund the Einbunpin Lagoon Management Plan.
“This remediation work will ensure the long-term health of the lagoon for the community,” Cr Cassidy said.
“This project is set to cost around $3 million. This is a lagoon of city-wide significance given its place in the heart of a bustling suburban community and the home to countless festivals and events.”
Other environmental concerns include more funding for the ongoing maintenance of Dowse Lagoon, and rolling out a full FOGO service, which could stop 100,000 tons of organic material being sent to landfill each year.
Support for Festivals and Sporting Clubs Ahead of 2032 Olympics
Cr Cassidy also expressed concern for the future of local festivals.
“Funding for the Einbunpin Festival has been stagnant at $12,000 a year, with escalating costs and inadequate funding putting the future of this festival in doubt,” he said.
“The festival ran at a loss for the last two years and another year without increased funding support will be the last festival.”
In the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Cr Cassidy said it was important to support local sporting clubs.
“It’s time to fast track funding for the O’Callaghan Park masterplan to improve facilities at O’Callaghan Park (including upgrading the car parks) in consultation and partnership with the local clubs which lease the site,” he said.
“The approach of leaving the volunteer-run clubs to carry out major upgrades to facilities at O’Callaghan Park is a failed one. Ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, we need a significant investment in suburban sporting clubs.”
Cr Cassidy added his submissions to Council’s budget shouldn’t come as a shock to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
“Much of what I’ve included here should sound very familiar to last year because so many of the local projects and big issues facing Brisbane go unanswered,” he said.
“Council budgets should be about people and communities, not just glossy pages of big projects.”
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