MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
The 4472 (Budget) meeting of the Brisbane City Council,
held at City Hall, Brisbane
on Wednesday 17 June 2015
at 11am
Prepared by:
Council and Committee Liaison Office
Chief Executive’s Office
Office of the Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer
[4350 Meeting (Budget) – 8 June 2011
[4350 Meeting (Budget) – 8 June 2011
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4472 (BUDGET) MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY
COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
ON WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2015
AT 11AM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Number
SUBMISSION OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING
30 JUNE 2016 (INCLUDING THE RESOLUTION OF RATES AND CHARGES 2015-16)
1
LORD MAYOR’S BUDGET SPEECH 2015-16
49
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION’S BUDGET RESPONSE
61
REPLY BY THE CHAIRMAN OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
70
PROGRAMS:
Clean, Green and WaterSmart City
80
Moving Brisbane
127
Future Brisbane
175
Your Brisbane
200
Public Health and Safety
231
Economic Development
247
Customer Focus
265
City Governance
265
BUSINESSES AND COUNCIL PROVIDERS:
266
(Brisbane Transport, Civil Construction and Maintenance Operations, Urban Amenities,
Waste and Resource Recovery Services, City Projects Office. Brisbane City Cemeteries,
City Parking, Golf Courses, Sports and Aquatic Centres, City Hall Precinct and Asset
Portfolio Management)
ADOPTION OF ANNUAL PLAN AND BUDGET
266
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THE 4472 (BUDGET) MEETING OF THE BRISBANE CITY
COUNCIL,
HELD AT CITY HALL, BRISBANE,
Dedicated to a better Brisbane
ON WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2015
AT 11AM
PRESENT:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNP
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT (Pullenvale Ward) – LNP
LNP Councillors (and Wards)
Krista ADAMS (Wishart)
Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)
Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)
Vicki HOWARD (Central)
Steven HUANG (Macgregor)
Fiona KING (Marchant)
Geraldine KNAPP (The Gap)
Kim MARX (Karawatha)
Peter MATIC (Toowong)
Ian McKENZIE (Holland Park)
David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)
Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR (Parkinson) (Deputy
Chairman of Council)
Adrian SCHRINNER (Chandler) (Deputy Mayor)
Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor)
Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)
Andrew WINES (Enoggera)
ALP Councillors (and Wards)
Milton DICK (Richlands) (The Leader of the
Opposition)
Helen ABRAHAMS (The Gabba) (Deputy Leader of
the Opposition)
Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly)
Kim FLESSER (Northgate)
Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)
Victoria NEWTON (Deagon)
Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)
Independent Councillor (and Ward)
Nicole JOHNSTON (Tennyson)
OPENING OF MEETING:
The Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, opened the meeting with prayer, and then proceeded with the
business set out in the Agenda.
SUBMISSION OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR
ENDING 30 JUNE 2016:
FIRST DAY – Wednesday 17 June 2015
RESOLUTION NO. 702/2014-15
RECOMMENDATIONS:
PRESENTATION AND SUBMISSION BY
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD MAYOR
FOR THE APPROVAL OF AND ADOPTION BY THE COUNCIL
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-2RESOLUTION OF RATES AND CHARGES 2015-16:
Pursuant to the provisions of the City of Brisbane Act 2010, the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012, the Standing
Rules and the Local Laws of the Council, I present and submit to the Council recommendations as to the rates,
charges and fees to be fixed for the year ending 30 June 2016 for the approval of and adoption by the Council.
1.
DEFINITIONS
Throughout this resolution, a term appearing in bold italic text is defined in s.14 – DICTIONARY OF
TERMS.
2.
LAND USE CODES
Until otherwise decided or amended, the land use codes set out in the document Brisbane City Council land use
codes 1st July 2015 as tabled shall constitute the land use codes for rating and charging purposes.
3.
AVERAGING OF LAND VALUES
Pursuant to section 67(4) of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 the Council determines that, for the purpose
of making and levying rates and charges for the financial year on rateable land:
(a)
the rateable value of land is to be the averaged value under section 67(4)(b) of the Regulation, and
(b)
the average value will be calculated under section 69 of the Regulation, and
(c)
for the purposes of section 69(2) of the Regulation the ‘3-year averaging number’ for the financial year
is 0.93.
Note: For properties with land use code 72, the rateable value will be calculated in accordance with section
50(2) of the Land Valuation Act 2010.
4.
DIFFERENTIAL GENERAL RATES
(a)
For the purpose of making and levying differential general rates for the financial year on all rateable
land in the City, the Council determines that –
(i)
(ii)
the categories into which the rateable land in the City is to be categorised are –
a)
(subject to Clause 4(b)), 66 in number and
b)
identified by the ‘Category’ of the Differential General Rating Table.
the criteria by which land is to be categorised as being in a particular one of those categories
are specified in the ‘General Criteria’ and ‘Specific Criteria’ columns of the Differential
General Rating Table opposite the identification of the particular category.
DIFFERENTIAL GENERAL RATING TABLE
Category
1.
General Criteria
Specific Criteria
Residential: Owner Occupied
1.This criterion will only apply where:
(a)
the current use, or having regard to any improvements or
activities conducted upon the land, the potential use of
the subject land is solely principal residential purposes.
Where the land contains a dwelling house and otherwise
meets the general criteria above, then this category will
apply:
(i) regardless of the City Plan 2014 zone within which
that land is situated and
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
1.
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
01
vacant urban land,
06
outbuilding / amenity block, or
94
vacant rural land, and
which meets the general criteria for this category.
2.
Land to which the following land use codes applies –
02
single unit dwelling used for principal
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-3(ii) only where the land represents the principal place of
residence of at least one person who constitutes the
owner/s of the land.
(b)
residential purposes.
3.
The following land is specifically included in this
category:
or
a.
the sole purpose for which the subject land is presently
utilised is vacant land and is:
vacant land which meets the general criteria
for this category, or
b.
premises that would otherwise be the owner’s
principal place of residence but where the
owner is incapable of occupancy due to ill or
frail health and is domicile in a care facility,
provided such premises remain unoccupied by
any other person/s.
c.
premises subject to a special disability trust,
occupied by a deemed vulnerable pensioner
owner.
(i) wholly contained within a zone or combination of
zones defined under Part 6 of City Plan 2014 as:
Conservation zone, or
Environmental management zone, , or
Rural zone, or
where coexisting with another zone or code
contained within this general criteria, Open space
zone, or
Emerging community zone, or
Low density residential zone, or
Character residential zone, or
Low-medium density residential zone, or
Medium density residential, or
High density residential zone, or a
4.
Land to which the following land use codes applies –
03
multiple dwelling/s
provided that the property complies with this
resolution’s definition of owner-occupied multiresidential (single family).
(ii) Mixed use zone where the predominant use for
which land may be utilised is a residential purpose,
or
(iii) Land contained within the Moreton Island
settlements neighbourhood plan defined under
Section 7 City Plan 2014 and as shown on the
Moreton Island settlements neighbourhood plan
map in Schedule 2 of City Plan 2014, other than
that contained within the resort area of the
Tangalooma precinct, or
(iv) Land that has been purchased by an individual for
solely principal residential purposes following the
re-configuration of allotments, will be deemed to
meet the criteria of this category regardless of any
current zone under City Plan 2014 and will continue
until such time as the land is reclassified as
residential.
Or
(c)
2a.
the property meets this resolution’s definition of owneroccupied multi-residential (single family)
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group A
This criterion will apply where the land is:
(a)
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
(b)
located outside of the boundaries of the CBD or CBD
Frame, and
(c)
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
(d)
does not comply with the specific criteria of categories
2b, 2c ,2d, 2e, 2g, 2h. 2i, 2j or 2k below.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
1.
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
01
vacant urban land,
06
outbuilding/amenity block,
72
vacant land – valuation discounted subdivided
land, or
94
vacant rural land, and
a. is not residential purposes land, or
b. meets the general criteria of this Category.
or
2.
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
10
combined multiple dwelling and shop,
11
shop (single),
13
shops – shopping group (2 to 6 shops),
15
shop (secondary retail),
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-4Vacant land outside of the CBD or CBD Frame falls within this
category where that land does not meet both the general and
specific criteria of category 1 of this table.
17
18
19
20
21
23
24
25
26
27
28
32
33
34
35
36
38
39
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
50
51
52
54
55
56
57
58
59
63
91
92
95
96
97
99
2b.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group B
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2c.
restaurant/fast food outlet (non drive-through),
special tourist attraction,
walkway/ramp,
marina,
residential institution,
retail warehouse,
sales area,
office(s),
funeral parlour,
hospital/convalescent home (medical care,
private),
warehouse and bulk store,
wharf,
builder's yard/contractor's yard,
cold store/ice works,
general industry,
light industry,
advertising – hoarding,
harbour industry,
child care centre,
hotel/tavern,
motel,
nursery/garden centre,
theatres/cinemas,
drive-in theatres,
licensed club,
sports club/facilities,
other club (non business),
religious,
cemetery,
art gallery, museum, zoo,
library,
showground/racecourse/airfield,
park and garden/bushland reserve,
educational,
access restriction strip,
boarding kennels / cattery,
utility installation,
defence force establishment,
reservoir, dam, bore,
public hospital,
welfare home/premises, or
community protection centre.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group C
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-52d.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group D
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2e.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group I
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2j.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group H
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2i.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group G
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2h.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group F
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2g.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group E
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2f.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group J
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-6-
2k.
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group K
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
2l.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
This criterion will apply where the land is:
(b)
(c)
(d)
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
located outside of the boundaries of the CBD or CBD
Frame, and
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
12
shops – shopping group (more than 6 shops),
16
drive-in shopping centre,
22
car park,
29
transport terminal,
30
service station,
31
oil depot,
37
noxious/offensive industry,
40
extractive industry,
73
restaurant/fast food outlet (drive-through)
does not comply with the specific criteria of categories
2b to 2k above.
Rural
This criterion will apply where the land is:
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
(a)
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
(b)
4.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group L
(a)
3.
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.7.
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
62
wholesale production nursery,
64
livestock grazing – breeding,
65
livestock grazing – breeding and fattening,
66
livestock grazing – fattening,
67
goats,
68
dairy cattle – quota milk,
69
dairy cattle – non-quota milk,
74
turf farm,
75
sugar cane,
79
orchard,
80
tropical fruit,
81
pineapple,
82
vineyard,
83
small crops and fodder irrigated,
84
small crops & fodder non-irrigated,
85
pigs,
86
horses,
87
poultry,
88
forestry and logs, or
89
animals (special).
Multi-Residential
This criterion will apply where the land is:
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
(a)
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
03
multiple dwelling/s,
07
guest house / private hotel / hostel,
49
caravan park,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-7(b)
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
53
re-locatable home park,
60
retirement facilities,
and land used as a multiple dwelling.
This criteria includes 'Bed & Breakfast' or 'Home-stay'
style accommodation which does not comply with the
Performance outcomes and Acceptable outcomes of
the ‘Home based business code’ under Part 9 of City
Plan 2014.
5a.
Central Business District – Group A
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a or 2l
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a or
2l, and
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was located within
the boundary line shown on the CBD Differential
Rating Boundary Map at section 15.1.
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Vacant land within the CBD falls within this category where
that land does not meet both the general and specific criteria of
category 1 of this table.
5b.
Central Business District – Group B
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5c.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group E
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5f.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Central Business District – Group D
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5e.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group C
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5d.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group F
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-8(a)
5g.
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Central Business District – Group G
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5h.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group K
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5l.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Central Business District – Group J
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5k.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group I
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5j.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Central Business District – Group H
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5i.
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group L
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
-9(c)
5m.
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Central Business District – Group M
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5n.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group Q
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5r.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group P
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5q.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
Central Business District – Group O
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5p.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group N
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5o.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group R
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 10 5s.
Central Business District – Group S
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5t.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
6.
7.
8a.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group U
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5v.
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group T
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
5u.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Central Business District – Group V
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
(a)
will be included in this differential rating category
the general criteria of differential rating category 5a
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 5a, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.4.
Other
Applies only where land does not fall within categories:
Land not included in Categories -
1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j, 2k, 2l, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d,
5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5m, 5n, 5o, 5p, 5q, 5r, 5s, 5t, 5u, 5v,
7, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8j, 8k, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 10, 11a,
11b, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20
1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j, 2k, 2l, 3, 4, 5a,
5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5m, 5n, 5o, 5p,
5q, 5r, 5s, 5t, 5u, 5v, 7, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h,
8i, 8j, 8k, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 10, 11a, 11b, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19 or 20
Residential: Non-owner Occupied or Mixed Use
This criterion will apply where the land is used for mixed
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
residential purposes or secondary residential purposes, or has
Land to which the following land use codes apply –
the potential predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
61
mixed residential purposes,
activities conducted upon the land for these purposes.
70
secondary residential purposes, or
72
Vacant land – valuation discounted for
subdivided land.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group A
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 11 shown in the table at section 15.5.
8b.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group B
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8c.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group C
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8d.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group D
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8e.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group E
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8f.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group F
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8g.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group G
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8h.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group H
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 12 8i.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group I
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8j.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group J
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
8k.
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group K
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a large
regional shopping centre and is characterised by the specific
criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.5.
9a.
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group A
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a major
shopping centre and is characterised by the specific criteria
opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.6.
9b.
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group B
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a major
shopping centre and is characterised by the specific criteria
opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.6.
9c.
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group C
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a major
shopping centre and is characterised by the specific criteria
opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.6.
9d.
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group D
This criterion will apply where the land is used as a major
shopping centre and is characterised by the specific criteria
opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to either its common
name, its property location or its real property
description as shown in the table at section 15.6.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 13 10.
CTS – Residential: Owner Occupied
This criterion will only apply where:
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
the current use, or having regard to any improvements or
activities conducted upon the land, the potential use of the
subject land is solely principal residential purposes.
1.
Where the land contains a dwelling unit contained within a
community titles scheme and otherwise meets the general
criteria above, then this category will apply:
11a.
11b.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
(a)
regardless of the City Plan 2014 zone within which that
land is situated and,
(b)
only where the land represents the principal place of
residence of at least one person who constitutes the
owner/s of the land.
Land to which the following land use code applies –
08
community titles scheme unit used for
principal residential purposes.
2.
The following land is specifically included in this
category:
premises that would otherwise be the owner’s
principal place of residence but where the owner is
incapable of occupancy due to ill or frail health and is
domicile in a care facility, provided such premises
remain unoccupied by any other person/s
CTS – Commercial/Non-Residential – Group A
* subject to Clause 4(b)
This criterion will apply where the land is:
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
(a)
Land to which the following land use code applies –
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
(b)
located outside of the boundaries of the CBD or CBD
Frame, and
(c)
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
08
CTS – Commercial/Non-Residential – Group B
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2l
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2l, and
(c)
is primarily characterised by the specific criteria
opposite.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
Land to which the following land use code applies –
08
12.
13.
community titles scheme unit(s), not used for
residential purposes.
CTS – Multi-Residential
community titles scheme unit(s), not used for
residential purposes.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
This criterion will apply where the land is:
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
(a)
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
Land to which the following land use codes applies –
08
community titles scheme unit, and the
property is being used as a multiple dwelling.
(b)
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
CTS – Central Business District
This criterion will apply where the land is:
(a)
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
(b)
located within the boundaries of the CBD , and
(c)
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
Land located within the CBD to which the following
land use code applies –
08
community titles scheme unit(s), not used for
principal
residential
purposes,
mixed
residential purposes or secondary residential
purposes.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 14 14.
CTS – Residential: Non-owner Occupied or Mixed Use
This criterion will apply where the land is used for mixed
residential purposes or secondary residential purposes, or
has the potential predominant use by virtue of its
improvements or activities conducted upon the land for these
purposes.
15.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
Land to which the following land use code applies –
08
CTS – Minor Lot
community titles scheme unit.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
This criterion will apply where the land is:
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
(a)
Land to which the following land use codes applies –
(b)
16.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
used for non-residential purposes, or has the potential
predominant use by virtue of its improvements or
activities conducted upon the land of non-residential
purposes, and
characterised by one of the land use codes in the
adjacent specific criteria attributable to this category.
08
community titles scheme unit,
and the property is being used for a car parking space,
storage cupboard, storage unit, advertising hoarding or
purposes of a like nature.
CBD Frame Commercial/Non-Residential
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 2a or 2l
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 2a or
2l, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was located
completely within the boundary line shown on the
CBD FRAME Differential Rating Boundary Map at
section 15.2.
Vacant land within the CBD Frame falls within this category
where that land does not meet both the general and specific
criteria of category 1 of this table.
17.
CTS – CBD Frame Commercial/Non-Residential
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 11a or
11b above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 11a or
11b, and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
* subject to Clause 4(b)
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was located
completely within the boundary line shown on the
CBD FRAME Differential Rating Boundary Map at
section 15.2 and to which the following land use code
applies –
08
community titles scheme unit(s), not used
for principal residential purposes, mixed residential
purposes or secondary residential purposes.
18.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Special Concession
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
19.
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 16
above, and
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 16,
and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
will be included in this differential rating category
where –
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.8.
CTS – Commercial/Non-Residential – Special Concession
* subject to Clause 4(b)
This criterion will apply where the land meets;
Subject to meeting the General Criteria –
(a)
the general criteria of differential rating category 17
above, and
Land to which the following land use codes applies –
(b)
the specific criteria of differential rating category 17,
and
(c)
is characterised by the specific criteria opposite.
08
community titles scheme unit(s), not used
for principal residential purposes, mixed residential
purposes or secondary residential purposes, and
As at the date of this resolution it was recorded in
Council systems by reference to its common name, its
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 15 property location or its real property description as
shown in the table at section 15.8.
20.
Commercial/Non-Residential – Concessional
Entry into this category is restricted to those properties that have
formerly been subject to exemption from rates under section 5
schedule 1(f) of this resolution but are determined to be no
longer exempt.
Subject to meeting the General Criteria, a property
may be included in this differential rating category
where –
By examination of;
a.
the usage of the land, and/or
b.
the visual, spatial and economic attributes of
the land, and/or
c.
the existence of any partial use that may comply
with current exemption criteria, and
Council considers inclusion of a property into this
category is appropriate.
(b)
A property that is contained within one of the above categories (the "Original Category") that has a
Parity Factor assigned to it by this resolution is automatically placed into a separate differential rating
category referable to the Original Category and that Parity Factor. The criteria for this new category are
the same as the Original Category with the addition of the Parity Factor.
(c)
The Parity Factor applicable to a property is calculated by reference to Table "A".
(d)
The Council, using the criteria specified in the Differential General Rating Table identifies the category
in which each parcel of rateable land in the City is included.
(e)
For the financial year the differential general rate is first calculated as set out opposite a category
determined under (a) and (b) and specified in Table ‘B’ and made equally on the rateable value of all
rateable land in the City included in that category.
(f)
The result of (e) shall then be multiplied by the Parity Factor corresponding to the differential category
determined under (a) and (b) and specified in Table ‘B’ to derive the differential general rates levied on
an individual property.
(g)
The Parity Factor referred to in (a) and (b) and specified in Table ‘B’ and which forms part of the
calculation of differential general rates shall be determined by reference to the following basis shown
in table ‘A’,
TABLE ‘A’
Band
factor 1
factor 2
A
for each dollar of rateable value of the land upon which a community titles scheme
is constructed up to and including $2,250,000
0.00000
0.0000
plus,
B
for each dollar of rateable value of the land upon which a community titles scheme
is constructed from $2,250,001 up to and including $6,000,000
0.00760
0.0000
plus,
C
for each dollar of rateable value of the land upon which a community titles scheme
is constructed from $6,000,001 up to and including $10,000,000
0.00970
0.0000
plus,
D
for each dollar of rateable value of the land upon which a community titles scheme
is constructed in excess of $10,000,000
0.00225
0.0000
plus,
for each dollar of rateable value apportioned to each lot within a community titles
scheme by reference to its interest schedule lot entitlement under a community
management statement
1.0000
1.0000
i. The parity factor referred to in Table ‘B’ is calculated to be the sum of factor 1 divided by the sum of
factor 2
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 16 ii. Where the parity factor determined above exceeds 5, the parity factor is deemed to be 5.
Category
TABLE ‘B’
Description
Differential
General Rate
(cents in the
dollar)
0.3020
Differential
Minimum
General Rate
Parity Factor
$535.88
1.0000
$1,360.68
1.0000
1
Residential – Owner-occupied
2a
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group A
0.8990
2b
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group B
0.8922
$62,887.08
1.0000
2c
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group C
0.8922
$108,731.80
1.0000
2d
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group D
0.3878
$1,360.68
1.0000
2e
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group E
0.8922
$130,296.76
1.0000
2f
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group F
0.8922
$64,742.32
1.0000
2g
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group G
0.8922
$127,786.40
1.0000
2h
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group H
0.8922
$166,123.56
1.0000
2i
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group I
0.7666
$22,871.68
1.0000
2j
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group J
0.8922
$94,304.28
1.0000
2k
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group K
0.8922
$7,524.48
1.0000
2l
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group L
0.9170
$1,360.68
1.0000
3
Rural
0.3278
$573.56
1.0000
4
Multi-Residential
0.5328
$829.12
1.0000
5a
Central Business District – Group A
1.4245
$1,755.20
1.0000
5b
Central Business District – Group B
1.3775
$207,504.20
1.0000
5c
Central Business District – Group C
1.4034
$226,368.12
1.0000
5d
Central Business District – Group D
1.3750
$282,960.16
1.0000
5e
Central Business District – Group E
1.3493
$339,552.20
1.0000
5f
Central Business District – Group F
1.3395
$396,144.20
1.0000
5g
Central Business District – Group G
1.4337
$452,736.28
1.0000
5h
Central Business District – Group H
1.4196
$509,328.28
1.0000
5i
Central Business District – Group I
1.7159
$565,920.32
1.0000
5j
Central Business District – Group J
1.3508
$679,104.40
1.0000
5k
Central Business District – Group K
2.1523
$735,696.40
1.0000
5l
Central Business District – Group L
1.8496
$1,116,635.00
1.0000
5m
Central Business District – Group M
1.2778
$1,075,248.08
1.0000
5n
Central Business District – Group N
1.3097
$252,150.00
1.0000
5o
Central Business District – Group O
1.4309
$1,245,024.68
1.0000
5p
Central Business District – Group P
1.5989
$1,584,576.88
1.0000
5q
Central Business District – Group Q
2.1170
$1,810,945.04
1.0000
5r
Central Business District – Group R
1.7250
$1,924,129.08
1.0000
5s
Central Business District – Group S
1.7945
$579,125.00
1.0000
5t
Central Business District – Group T
1.7201
$705,200.00
1.0000
5u
Central Business District – Group U
1.3065
$241,771.88
1.0000
5v
Central Business District – Group V
1.3292
$470,167.52
1.0000
6
Other
0.8990
$1,360.68
1.0000
7
Residential – Non-owner Occupied or Mixed Use
0.3893
$669.24
1.0000
8a
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group A
1.1299
$180,989.36
1.0000
8b
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group B
1.1454
$169,934.76
1.0000
8c
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group C
1.4695
$165,312.00
1.0000
8d
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group D
1.1999
$188,067.00
1.0000
8e
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group E
1.1623
$211,575.36
1.0000
8f
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group F
1.1643
$322,220.04
1.0000
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 17 -
8g
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group G
Differential
General Rate
(cents in the
dollar)
1.5745
$403,465.64
1.0000
8h
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group H
1.2000
$352,624.96
1.0000
8i
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group I
1.1920
$440,781.16
1.0000
8j
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group J
1.3410
$470,166.60
1.0000
8k
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group K
1.2000
$611,216.60
1.0000
9a
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group A
1.5571
$1,037,453.76
1.0000
9b
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group B
1.2824
$1,175,416.52
1.0000
9c
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group C
1.4692
$1,454,987.52
1.0000
9d
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group D
1.3500
$1,469,270.08
1.0000
10
CTS - Residential – Owner-occupied
0.3389
$535.88
Refer TABLE ‘A’
11a
CTS - Commercial/Non-Residential – Group A
0.9132
$1,360.68
Refer TABLE ‘A’
11b
CTS - Commercial/Non-Residential – Group B
0.9311
$1,360.68
Refer TABLE ‘A’
12
CTS - Multi-Residential
0.5977
$829.12
Refer TABLE ‘A’
13
CTS - Central Business District
1.3903
$1,755.20
Refer TABLE ‘A’
14
CTS - Residential – Non-owner Occupied or Mixed Use
0.4504
$669.24
Refer TABLE ‘A’
15
CTS – Minor Lot
0.9879
$669.24
Refer TABLE ‘A’
16
CBD Frame Commercial/Non-Residential
0.9262
$1,459.36
1.0000
17
CTS – CBD Frame Commercial/Non-Residential
0.9236
$1,459.36
Refer TABLE ‘A’
18
Commercial/Non-Residential – Special Concession
0.4353
$1,459.36
1.0000
19
CTS - Commercial/Non-Residential – Special Concession
0.0876
$1,459.36
Refer TABLE ‘A’
20
Commercial/Non-Residential – Concessional
0.1425
$1,360.68
1.0000
Category
Description
Differential
Minimum
General Rate
Parity Factor
(h)
Despite (e) and (f), the minimum differential general rate payable in respect of all rateable land in each
category determined under (a) and (b) is that shown against its corresponding category in table ‘B’
above with the exception of any land to which Land use code 72 applies or which is otherwise exempt
from minimum general rating under section 70(3) of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012.
(i)
Limitation of general rate increases.
A.
In the case of property included in categories 1 or 10 determined under the Differential
General Rating Table (a);
(i)
Despite (e) and (f) the amount to be levied by way of differential general rates for the
financial year in respect of any property to which this subparagraph applies is not to
be more than the amount of the differential rates (net of any partial rates remission
granted under the Community Title Scheme Remission Policy) levied in respect of
that property for the previous financial year increased by 7.50 per centum.
(ii)
Subject to (iii) and (iv), subparagraph (i) applies to any land that at the
commencement of the financial year is in category 1 or 10 determined under (a), and
which is the principal place of residence of the person/s who are the owner of the
land, or if more than one person is the owner of the land, at least one of those
persons.
(iii)
To avoid any doubt, subparagraph (i) does not apply to any land held either wholly or
partially in the name of a trust (with the exception of a special disability trust),
corporation, organisation, association or any other incorporated body other than an
individual or individuals.
(iv)
If ownership of any land is transferred on or after the commencement of the financial
year, subparagraph (i) is to cease to apply on and from the date such transfer takes
effect except in the following instances:
(a)
change of name on title as a result of marriage or change of name by deed
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 18 poll, or;
(v)
B.
(b)
transfer to, or inclusion of a spouse/de facto/partner as a result of an
amalgamation or separation of assets, or on the death of a spouse on the
principal place of residence, or;
(c)
transmissions to surviving joint tenant or tenants on death of other joint
tenant.
In the case of land that becomes the principal place of residence of at least one person
who is an owner, after the commencement of the financial year, (i) applies from the
first rating quarter of the next financial year following the approved application of
the owner.
In the case of property included in categories 16 or 17 determined under the Differential
General Rating Table (a);
(i)
Despite (e) and (f) the amount to be levied by way of differential general rates for the
financial year in respect of any property to which this subparagraph applies is not to
be more than the amount of the differential rates (net of any partial rates remission
granted under the Community Title Scheme Remission Policy) levied in respect of
that property for the previous financial year increased by 5.00 per centum.
(ii)
Subject to (iii), subparagraph (i) applies to any land that at the commencement of the
financial year is in Category 16 or 17 determined under (a).
(iii)
If ownership of any land is transferred on or after the commencement of the financial
year, subparagraph (i) is to cease to apply on and from the date such transfer takes
effect.
(iv)
In the case of property that is included in category 16 or 17 determined under (a)
after the commencement of the financial year, (i) applies from the first rating
quarter of the next financial year following the approved application of the owner.
In the case of properties included in categories 2b to 2k, 5b to 5v, 8a to 8k, 9a to 9d, 18 and
19, a change in either the common name or the rateable property address of the property will
not affect the categorisation for differential general rating purposes.
5.
EXEMPTIONS FROM GENERAL RATING
Any property used for public, religious, charitable or educational purposes, and:
(a)
for which an application has been received from the owner, and
(b)
which is approved by Council as eligible for exemption, and
(c)
is identified in Schedule 1 of this Resolution
is exempt from general rating and separate/special rating and charging.
Where a property is currently exempt from General rating under Schedule 1 of this Resolution undergoes
redevelopment or refurbishment and the activities conducted on such a property are temporarily suspended,
exemption may, at the discretion of the Chief Financial Officer, continue to be granted provided that:
(a)
there is an uninterrupted cycle from cessation of operations, to construction and finally
recommencement, of a duration not exceeding 18 months, and
(b)
the predominant use of the property after redevelopment remains unaltered, or if it does change, it
complies with the criterion of another category of exemption, and
(c)
the ownership of the property does not change during the course of the redevelopment.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 19 Where completion has not been achieved within the above time frame but there is evidence of a continuing
process of redevelopment, the Chief Financial Officer may allow an extension for a period not exceeding a
further 6 months.
SCHEDULE 1 Exemption Criteria
(a)
Public Purposes –
Any property that is vested in, or for the time being placed under the management or control
of any person under or in pursuance of any statute, for the purpose of, and being presently
utilised as, a showground or an area presently utilised as public recreation or athletic sports or
games as evidenced by the provision and existence of facilities for such purpose if that is, in
the opinion of the Chief Financial Officer open to the public at all reasonable hours, free of
charge.
For the purpose of this paragraph, any property vested in the ownership of a local authority
other than the Brisbane City Council, and used for local government purposes shall be
deemed to be used for public purposes.
(b)
Religious Purposes –
Any property that is:
(c)
(i)
owned by a religious institution, and
(ii)
does not exceed eight hectares in area, and
(iii)
the predominant use of which is public worship and having a building thereon used
entirely for public worship or for public worship and educational purposes whether
or not that land has other buildings on it that are utilised in conjunction with the place
of worship.
Charitable Purposes –
Any property that is owned by a public charity and the predominant use of such land is the
giving of a gift of food, drink, clothing, temporary emergency accommodation or money to
the destitute and/or the homeless.
(d)
Educational Purposes –
Any property that is owned by a religious institution and used entirely as a school, as
evidenced by the presence of completed buildings from which classes are being provided to an
enrolled student population, which may be conducted by or on behalf of such religious
institution whether or not that property has other buildings on it that are utilised in
conjunction with the school.
For the purposes of this subparagraph, a property shall not be taken to be used entirely for a
school unless the property has building/s constructed upon it or sporting fields as evidenced
by the provision of purpose-built facilities, e.g. football fields, running tracks, athletics
facilities etc., which are being actively used for the educational purposes of the school. Any
such sporting facilities must represent a majority usage of the property if buildings do not
exist upon the site.
To be eligible for exemption under this subparagraph, the property must have a predominant
use of, and be presently utilised in conducting educational activities. Properties which
incorporate a mixture of educational and commercial activity may not be eligible for
exemption. In determining eligibility, consideration may be given to the visual, spatial and
economic aspects of the property.
(e)
Any property exceeding eight hectares in area which –
(i)
otherwise meets the criteria of paragraph 5(b) (apart from the area restriction), and
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 20 -
(f)
(ii)
there is a Higher Voluntary Conservation Agreement with the Council in respect of
part of that property, and
(iii)
the area of that property which is not subject to the Higher Voluntary Conservation
Agreement does not exceed eight hectares in area.
Any property that –
(i)
prior to 13 May 1992 was non-rateable for the purpose of levying of rates under the
City of Brisbane Act 1924, and:
(ii)
since 13 May 1992 has –
a)
been continuously used for the same purpose for which it was used
immediately prior to 13 May 1992, and
b)
been in the same ownership as it was immediately prior to 13 May 1992,
and
(iii)
does not meet any of the criteria for exemption set out in paragraphs (a) to (e) above,
and
(iv)
is used for public, religious, charitable or educational purposes, and
(v)
is deemed appropriate by Council of being exempted from rating despite its inability
to comply with paragraphs (a) to (e) above.
In establishing the predominant use for the purpose of clauses (b), (c) and (d), consideration may be
given to the visual, spatial and economic aspects of the property.
The Chief Financial Officer may rule as to whether or not a particular property falls within any of the
categories of exemption under this resolution as to exemptions from rating.
6.
SPECIAL RATES
It is determined that a special rate shall be made and levied for the financial year on the rateable value of
rateable land identified in table ‘C’ below, for or towards meeting the cost of the Benefitted Areas.
In the opinion of the Council, properties in these Benefitted Areas have, or will specifically benefit from, or
have, or will have, special access to the services, facilities or activities supplied or provided by the Benefitted
Area undertaken [or proposed to be undertaken] by or on behalf of the Council.
The overall plans (O.P.) for the supply or provision of services, facilities or activities and the annual
implementation plans (A.I.P.) setting out the actions or processes that are to be carried out and referred to below
for each Benefitted Area are tabled and adopted.
TABLE ‘C’
Benefitted Area
Criteria
Queen Street Mall
All rateable land in the regions
of the City coloured pink,
orange and green on the map
tabled SR-1
Chinatown and Valley Malls
All rateable land in the regions
of the City coloured pink,
orange and green on the map
O.P.
A.I.P.
Region
Residential
Rate (cents
in the dollar)
NonResidential
Rate (cents
in the
dollar)
0.0968
0.4831
Intermediate (Orange)
0.0396
0.1977
Outer
(Green)
0.0128
0.0629
Central
(Pink)
0.2376
1.1861
0.0676
0.3377
Central
OP-1
OP-2
AIP-1
(Pink)
AIP-2
Intermediate (Orange)
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 21 Benefitted Area
Criteria
O.P.
A.I.P.
tabled SR-2
Region
Outer
(Green)
Residential
Rate (cents
in the dollar)
NonResidential
Rate (cents
in the
dollar)
0.0156
0.0769
Manly Living Village
Development Levy
All non-residential purposes,
rateable land, in the region of
the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-14
OP14
AIP-14
All
n/a
0.2093
Zillmere Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-22
OP22
AIP-22
All
0.1364
0.6817
Acacia Ridge Suburban
Centre Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-23
OP23
AIP-23
All
0.0416
0.2072
Caxton Street Improvement
Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-24
OP24
AIP-24
All
0.0460
0.2294
Taringa Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-25
OP25
AIP-25
All
0.0744
0.3701
Bracken Ridge Suburban
Centre Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-26
OP26
AIP-26
All
0.1344
0.6709
Clayfield Suburban
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-27
OP27
AIP-27
All
0.0848
0.4221
Banyo Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-28
OP28
AIP-28
All
0.0904
0.4502
Greenslopes Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-29
OP29
AIP-29
All
0.1236
0.6161
St Lucia Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-30
OP30
AIP-30
All
0.0999
0.4995
Kenmore Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-31
OP31
AIP-31
All
0.1188
0.5927
Cannon Hill Suburban Centre
Improvement Project
All rateable land in the region
of the City coloured pink on the
map tabled SR-32
OP32
AIP-32
All
0.0692
0.3458
7.
Centre
SEPARATE RATES
7.1
Environmental Management and Compliance Levy
(i)
In the opinion of the Council, all rateable land in the City has benefited or will
benefit from:(a)
the protection and enhancement of the natural environment by activities
undertaken by Council including:
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 22 


(b)
monitoring and enforcement of compliance by others with
environmental and planning legislation
managing of environmental programs and initiatives
remediation of environmental problems e.g.: protection of air
quality, waterways, sediment control, landfill issues and effluent
discharge.
the meeting of Council's obligations under the Environment Protection Act
1994
(ii)
A separate rate be made and levied for the financial year on all land in the City for or
towards meeting the costs of the activities and facilities.
(iii)
Council considers that, it is appropriate that the separate rate shown in table ‘D’, be
made on the rateable value of all land in accordance with the differential general
rating categories
(iv)
The result of (iii) shall then be multiplied by the parity factor corresponding to the
differential category specified in 4(a), 4(b) and Table 'B' to derive the separate rates
levied on an individual property.
TABLE ‘D’
Category
Description
Differential Separate
Rate (cents in the
dollar)
Differential
Minimum Separate
Rate
1
Residential – Owner-occupied
0.0151
$26.80
2a
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group A
0.0450
$68.04
2b
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group B
0.0446
$3,144.36
2c
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group C
0.0446
$5,436.60
2d
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group D
0.0194
$68.04
2e
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group E
0.0446
$6,514.84
2f
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group F
0.0446
$3,237.12
2g
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group G
0.0446
$6,389.32
2h
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group H
0.0446
$8,306.16
2i
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group I
0.0383
$1,143.60
2j
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group J
0.0446
$4,715.20
2k
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group K
0.0446
$376.24
2l
Commercial/Non-Residential – Group L
0.0459
$68.04
3
Rural
0.0164
$28.68
4
Multi-Residential
0.0266
$41.44
5a
Central Business District – Group A
0.0712
$87.76
5b
Central Business District – Group B
0.0689
$10,375.20
5c
Central Business District – Group C
0.0702
$11,318.40
5d
Central Business District – Group D
0.0688
$14,148.00
5e
Central Business District – Group E
0.0675
$16,977.60
5f
Central Business District – Group F
0.0670
$19,807.20
5g
Central Business District – Group G
0.0717
$22,636.80
5h
Central Business District – Group H
0.0710
$25,466.40
5i
Central Business District – Group I
0.0858
$28,296.00
5j
Central Business District – Group J
0.0675
$33,955.24
5k
Central Business District – Group K
0.1076
$36,784.84
5l
Central Business District – Group L
0.0925
$55,831.76
5m
Central Business District – Group M
0.0639
$53,762.40
5n
Central Business District – Group N
0.0655
$12,607.52
5o
Central Business District – Group O
0.0715
$62,246.64
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 23 Category
Description
Differential Separate
Rate (cents in the
dollar)
Differential
Minimum Separate
Rate
5p
Central Business District – Group P
0.0799
$79,228.84
5q
Central Business District – Group Q
0.1059
$90,547.24
5r
Central Business District – Group R
0.0863
$96,206.44
5s
Central Business District – Group S
0.0897
$28,956.24
5t
Central Business District – Group T
0.0860
$35,260.00
5u
Central Business District – Group U
0.0653
$12,088.60
5v
Central Business District – Group V
0.0665
$23,508.36
6
Other
0.0450
$68.04
7
Residential – Non-owner Occupied or Mixed Use
0.0195
$33.48
8a
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group A
0.0565
$9,049.48
8b
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group B
0.0573
$8,496.72
8c
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group C
0.0735
$8,265.60
8d
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group D
0.0600
$9,403.36
8e
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group E
0.0581
$10,578.76
8f
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group F
0.0582
$16,111.00
8g
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group G
0.0787
$20,173.28
8h
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group H
0.0600
$17,631.24
8i
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group I
0.0596
$22,039.04
8j
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group J
0.0671
$23,508.32
8k
Large Regional Shopping Centre – Group K
0.0600
$30,560.84
9a
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group A
0.0779
$51,872.68
9b
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group B
0.0641
$58,770.84
9c
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group C
0.0735
$72,749.36
9d
Major Regional Shopping Centre – Group D
0.0675
$73,463.52
10
CTS - Residential – Owner-occupied
0.0169
$26.80
11a
CTS - Commercial/Non-Residential – Group A
0.0457
$68.04
11b
CTS - Commercial/Non-Residential – Group B
0.0466
$68.04
12
CTS - Multi-Residential
0.0299
$41.44
13
CTS - Central Business District
0.0695
$87.76
14
CTS - Residential – Non-owner Occupied or Mixed Use
0.0225
$33.48
15
CTS - Minor Lot
0.0494
$33.48
16
CBD Frame Commercial/Non-Residential
0.0463
$72.96
17
CTS - CBD Frame Commercial/Non-Residential
0.0462
$72.96
18
Commercial/Non-Residential – Special Concession
0.0218
$72.96
19
CTS - Commercial/Non-Residential – Special Concession
0.0044
$72.96
20
Commercial/Non-Residential – Concessional
0.0071
$68.04
Despite (iv), the minimum differential separate rate payable in respect of all benefited land as
determined under (i) is that shown against its corresponding category in table ‘D’ above with the
exception of any land to which Land use code 72 applies or which is otherwise exempt from minimum
general rating under section 70(3) of the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012.
8.
SPECIAL CHARGES
8.1
Rural Fire Services Levy
(i)
All rateable land in the part of the City coloured pink on the maps tabled "SC-1.1",
"SC-1.2" and "SC-1.3" in the opinion of the Council, has or will specifically benefit
from, or has, or will have, special access to the service, facility or activity supplied or
provided by the Rural Fire Services Levy undertaken [or proposed to be undertaken]
by the respective rural fire brigades.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 24 -
9.
The overall plans for the supply or provision of service facility or activity by the
Rural Fire Services Levy are tabled "OPC-1.1", "OPC-1.2" and "OPC-1.3" and are
adopted.
(iii)
The annual implementation plans setting out the actions or processes that are to be
carried out by the Rural Fire Brigade districts are tabled "AIPC-1.1", "AIPC-1.2",
"AIPC-1.3" and are adopted.
(iv)
It is determined that a special charge shall be made and levied for the financial year
on rateable land identified above for or towards meeting the costs of the
development of fire services in rural areas to provide adequate protection.
(v)
The special charge on all such rateable land shown on map “SC-1.1” shall be
$35.00.
(vi)
The special charge on all such rateable land shown on map “SC-1.2” shall be
$30.00.
(vii)
The special charge on all such rateable land shown on map “SC-1.3” shall be
$20.00.
SEPARATE CHARGES
9.1
10.
(ii)
Bushland Preservation Levy – Environment Function
(i)
In the opinion of the Council all rateable land in the City has benefited or will
benefit from –

the acquisition and protection of natural bushland or other areas in the City
and the provision of facilities for public access to those areas and

the protection of other natural bushland areas in the City whether privately
owned or otherwise and

the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, management and enhancement
of the City’s environment
undertaken or proposed to be undertaken by the Council ("activities and facilities").
(ii)
A separate charge be made and levied for the financial year on all rateable land in
the City for or towards meeting the costs of the activities and facilities.
(iii)
The Council considers that, as in general the benefit to any particular rateable land
from the activities and facilities cannot be distinguished from the benefit to any other
particular rateable land from the activities and facilities, it is appropriate that the
separate charge be made and levied equally on all rateable land in the City and
accordingly determines that the separate charge on all rateable land in the City be
$58.52.
UTILITY CHARGES
10.1
Waste Management Service Charges
Council may designate an area in which Council may conduct waste collection (a “waste
collection area”). Council designates the City of Brisbane as defined by the City of Brisbane
Act 2010 as a waste collection area.
Waste Management Service Charges are made and to be levied for the financial year on all
improved premises in a waste collection area in accordance with the Waste Management
Service Charge table.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 25 WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICE CHARGE TABLE
Charge per
Service
Waste Management Service Category
$296.68
Collection and disposal of an MGB refuse service.
$76.36
Collection and disposal of an MGB green waste recycling service.
$296.68
Collection and disposal of a bulk bin refuse service at a community titles scheme.
Collection and disposal of a bulk bin refuse service at other than a community titles scheme.
* $341.00
$376.16
Moreton Island waste collection and disposal service.
**
Extra collection of a MGB refuse service, MGB green waste recycling service or bulk bin.
Service Establishment Fees
$30.00
Establishment Fee for an MGB green waste recycling service.
Establishment Fee for either a;

340 litre capacity recycling MGB or

an extra 240 litre capacity recycling MGB.
*
$30.00
for the purpose of calculation of the service charges for bulk bin refuse services at
other than a community titles scheme, the term service is deemed to mean the
number of weekly services for each bulk bin multiplied by the deemed capacity of
each bulk bin.
The deemed capacity for each bulk bin at other than a community titles scheme
property shall be calculated by dividing the actual capacity of each bulk bin by 0.25.
If the deemed capacity is less than a whole number it shall be rounded up to the next
highest whole number.
**
the charge for each extra collection (waste) will be the same as for the original
service.
except for;
(i)
improved premises occupied by any State or Commonwealth Government
Department, all improved premises within a waste collection area shall be
charged and pay for at least one waste management service
(ii)
instances where a request for an alteration to the number of additional or
extra services represents a permanent change, the minimum period for
which an alteration to the number of additional or extra services will be
effective is 90 days. Where an alteration to the number of additional or extra
services is further amended or reversed within 90 days from the waste
management service charges effective date, those amendments will overide
the previous amendment and commence from the previous effective date
(iii)
instances where the waste management service is altered for reasons such
as improved premises being erected, destroyed, removed or demolished
during the financial year, waste management charges shall be effective
from the waste management service charges effective date
(iv)
improved premises existing at the commencement of the financial year, and
which has not been previously assessed, the estimated number of services
shall for all purposes be deemed to be a number determined by the Manager
and the Waste Management Service Charges shall be payable in respect of
the whole of the year unless the Manager otherwise determines
(v)
instances where it may be shown that the number of services recorded in
respect of any improved premises is erroneous or ceased to be correct, the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 26 correct number shall be substituted and the Waste Management Service
Charges shall be adjusted accordingly for a period not exceeding 12 months
or from a date to be determined by the Manager.
Withdrawal of charges for unoccupied premises
Council may temporarily withdraw the charging of the Waste Management Service for any unoccupied
improved premises provided:
11.
(a)
the improved premises is completely unoccupied for a period of not less than two consecutive
rating quarters, and
(b)
the owner of the improved premises provides written and signed notification to Council that
the premises are or shall be unoccupied not less than thirty days before the commencement of
a rating quarter, and
(c)
where the improved premises is anticipated to remain unoccupied for a subsequent period of
not less than two rating quarters, a fresh written and signed notification must be provided not
less than thirty days before the expiration of the prior period, and
(d)
the owner shall notify Council in writing immediately upon the occupation of the improved
premises, providing the date on which occupancy recommenced, and
(e)
waste management charges will continue to be applied to the quarterly rate accounts until the
owner notifies Council that the property is again occupied. Upon this notification a
retrospective credit of waste management charges for the period the improved premises were
unoccupied will be raised against the rate account and be offset against charges for the rating
quarter following such notification, and
(f)
calculation of any credit of waste management charges will only commence from the rating
quarter following receipt of the owner’s notification or the commencement date of vacancy,
whichever is the later, and
(g)
waste management charges will be automatically reinstated at the end of two rating quarters
unless written and signed notification has been provided by the owner seeking a continuation
of the suspension within the time specified in (b) above. Notifications not received within the
thirty days prior to the commencement of a rating quarter may not be processed from the
ensuing rating quarter. In these cases, suspension may commence from the subsequent rating
quarter
(h)
despite (e) above and at the discretion of the Business Manager – Rates Processing, charges
may be retrospectively credited at the end of each rating quarter, (or such other interval as
deemed appropriate) that the premises continue to be unoccupied beyond the initial two
consecutive rating quarter period.
GENERAL CHARGES
11.1
Fees and Charges
That pursuant to the powers of the Council conferred by Acts, By-laws and Local Laws the
fees, dues and general charges as set forth in the budget documents entitled "Schedule of Fees
and Charges 2015/2016" and “Register of Cost-Recovery Fees” are determined and adopted as
such for the financial year. The fees and charges in this budget document represent the fees
and charges set by Council at the date of the Budget Resolution. Council may alter any of the
fees and charges in this booklet by resolution at any time prior to the next Budget Resolution.
12.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
12.1
Levying of Rates and Utility Charges.
That all Differential General Rates, Separate Rates, Separate Charges, Special Rates, Special
Charges and Utility Charges are to be levied upon a rate account issued in relation to a quarter
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 27 of the financial year. Adjustments in respect of Rates and Charges appearing on the Rate
Account may be made from the date of effect of any such change.
12.2
Discount on Differential General Rates.
That Differential General Rates, whether a quarterly instalment or otherwise for the financial
year, be reduced by a discount equal to the amount specified below per annum, or in the case
where Differential General Rates are less than the applicable discount amount per annum, the
whole of the Differential General Rates, to any person who pays the entire amount due on the
rate account inclusive of all arrears of rates, utility charges, separate charges, separate rates,
special charges, special rates and all interest which shall be accrued on such arrears to the date
of payment, but with the exception of general charges, within 30 days after the date of issue of
the notice to that person to pay such sum.
12.3
a.
For properties included in categories 1 or 10 determined under 4(a); $60 per annum.
b.
For all other properties: nil
Interest on Unpaid Rates and Utility Charges.
If the full amount of a rate or charge is not paid to the Council within 30 days after the date of
issue of the notice by which the rate or charge is levied, the unpaid amount bears interest at
11 per centum per annum (compounding daily).
12.4
Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Where GST is applicable, all rates, charges and/or fees that are subject to GST are deemed to
be increased by the amount of any such GST.
13.
COMMONWEALTH LANDS
Charges to be made as per agreement from time to time with the Commonwealth Government.
14.
DICTIONARY OF TERMS
bulk bin:
a refuse container other than an MGB supplied by a contractor of the Council.
bulk bin refuse service:
a waste management service that specifically includes a regular single weekly service offered for
the removal of approved refuse from a bulk bin. The term does not include an extra collection.
CBD:
property contained within the boundary line shown on the CBD DIFFERENTIAL RATING
BOUNDARY MAP at section 15.1.
CBD Frame:
property contained wholly within the boundary lines shown on the CBD FRAME
DIFFERENTIAL RATING BOUNDARY MAP at section 15.2.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 28 community titles scheme:
premises situated on land in respect of which a Community Titles Scheme or Layered Community
Titles Scheme has been and remains registered pursuant to the Body Corporate and Community
Management Act 1997.
dwelling house:
a building that is used or is adapted to be used for principal residential purposes, mixed
residential purposes or secondary residential purposes.
dwelling unit:
a room or group of rooms that is used or is adapted to be used for principal residential purposes,
mixed residential purposes or secondary residential purposes.
extra collection:
the collection of a waste management service, performed at least weekly, for not less than four
weeks, on a day other than that on which the normal service is performed at the same premises.
financial year:
the financial year commencing on 1 July 2015 and ending on 30 June 2016.
improved premises:
premises that comprise, or upon which is constructed a building, buildings or other improvement.
It does not include land upon which the sole improvement is an outbuilding or other minor
structure not designed or used for human habitation or occupation.
land use codes:
those land use codes approved by the Brisbane City Council effective from 1 July 2015.
local government purposes:
activities conducted by a local authority for the provision of services, administration,
management, development, welfare, benefit or enjoyment to its residents.
manager:
the Divisional Manager, Executive Manager or Manager of the relevant Unit or Sub-unit of
Administration of the Brisbane City Council which is responsible for the transaction or activity
governed by the Budget.
MGB or mobile garbage bin:
a wheeled kerbside container for the collection of waste or other approved materials and supplied
by a contractor of the Council provided to an owner.
MGB green waste recycling service:
in relation to any premises an MGB green waste recycling service consists of the collection of an
MGB of 240 litre capacity designated for the collection and disposal of approved green waste on
an alternate fortnightly basis to the collection of any MGB refuse service referred to in (b) of the
definition of that service
This charge only applies where the owner has elected to accept and the Council is prepared to
provide this service.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 29 MGB refuse service:
(a) the weekly collection of an MGB of either 240 litre, 140 litre or 120 litre capacity (based on an
election of the owner) designated for the collection and disposal of approved general waste,
and;
(b) the collection of an MGB of either 240 litre or 340 litre capacity (based on an election of the
owner) designated for the collection and disposal of approved recyclable items collected on a
fortnightly basis where the Council is prepared to supply such service.
For the purposes of this definition where an MGB under (a) above has a capacity exceeding 240
litres, each 240 litres or part thereof shall be deemed to constitute one additional MGB refuse
service.
mixed residential purposes:
residential premises from which a resident owner or an occupier conducts a non-residential or
commercial activity, and that activity conforms to but does not exceed the conditions set out in
‘Column 3’ of the table shown at section 15.3.
This specifically does not include:
(a)
owners or occupiers who may work from home and are either self-employed or working
from home for their employer either permanently or temporarily, unless any such activity:
(i)
involves the sale, manufacture or provision of goods or services on site, or
(ii)
is the place of employment of any other person/s other than the owner or occupier, or
(iii) involves the reception of customers to view, purchase or consult on any such goods
or services on site,
and
the activity does not exceed the conditions set out in ‘Column 2’ of the table shown at
section 15.3.
or
(b)
owners or occupiers who are engaged in a hobby or past-time that does involve the sale,
manufacture or provision of goods or services and/or the reception of customers to view,
purchase or consult on any such goods or services on site, including low-key, kerb-side
sales and stalls, provided any such activity does not exceed the conditions set out in
‘Column 2’ of the table shown at section 15.3.
Any residential premises that exceeds the conditions set out in ‘Column 2’ but does not exceed
the conditions set out in ‘Column 3’ of the table shown at section 15.3 will be deemed to be mixed
residential purposes.
multiple dwelling:
a property which:
(a)
contains more than one self-contained dwelling house/unit, either detached, semi-detached
or integrated, whether for use by the same family or by unrelated occupants with the
exception of;
(i)
self-contained accommodation, either detached, semi-detached or integrated, for the
care and shelter of an aged or infirm family member of the occupant/s and which
has a gross floor area not exceeding the limitation for a secondary dwelling as set
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 30 out in the City Plan 2014 (Part 9 ‘Dwelling house code’ and/or ‘Dwelling house
(small lot) code’ acceptable outcomes AO1.1 and AO1.2), or
(ii)
a Hotel, Motel / Motor Inn / Motor Lodge, or Residential Aged Care Facility, or
(iii)
'Bed & Breakfast' or 'Home-stay' type accommodation which meets the
Performance Outcomes and Acceptable Outcomes of the ‘Home based business
code’ under Part 9 of City Plan 2014, or
(iv)
a property that otherwise meets the definition of principal residential purposes,
mixed residential purposes, secondary residential purposes or owner-occupied
multi-residential (single family).
or
(b)
comprises a single self-contained dwelling house/unit that exceeds the occupancy
standards set under Acceptable outcome AO1.1 of the ‘Dwelling house code’ and/or the
‘Dwelling house (small lot) code’ Part 9, of City Plan 2014 as at the date of adoption of
this resolution.
In determining whether a property meets this definition, consideration may be given, but not
restricted to:
(a) the existence of separate or multiple:

kitchens/food preparation areas (identified by the presence of a stove and/or oven), or

metered water, electricity or gas supplies, or

waste collection services, or

mail boxes, or

displayed house/unit numbers, or

pedestrian or vehicular entrances,
or
(b) the existence of dividing walls that prohibit free internal access from one living unit to
another,
or
(c) the number of occupants resident at the property.
non-residential purpose(s):
all land that does not conform to the definition of principal residential purposes, mixed
residential purposes or secondary residential purposes.
owner:
for purposes of the differential general rating table and associated provisions means:
(a) the ‘registered proprietor’, or;
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 31 (b)
a resident Life Tenant, nominated as such by the terms of a will or Family/Supreme Court
Order, and having been specifically given responsibility for payment of all rates and
charges, or;
(c)
a resident lessee of an Auction Perpetual Lease, the terms of any such lease must provide
for the lessee to be responsible for the payment of rates and charges and the lessee must be
granted title to the land in fee simple at the conclusion of the lease, or;
(d)
a resident under a special disability trust.
owner-occupied multi-residential (single family):
a property which by its physical attributes would otherwise constitute a multiple dwelling but;
(a)
is held in private ownership, and;
(b)
lawfully comprises no more than two single unit dwellings, one of which is the principal
place of residence of the owner and the other is occupied by a family member/s of the
owner, and;
(c)
is not subject to a residential tenancy agreement between the owner and the family
member/s occupying any secondary dwelling house/unit.
(d)
in the case of multiple owners, each dwelling may be occupied by an owner of the
property.
For the purpose of this definition a family member is limited to a child, grandchild, parent,
grandparent, sibling or spouse of the owner.
A property will meet this definition only by written application to and approval by Council that it
complies with the criteria above.
predominant use:
the single use, or in the case of multiple usages the main use, for which in the opinion of the
Council the property is being used or could potentially be used by virtue of improvements or
activities conducted upon the property. Council may form this opinion by examination of the
visual, spatial and economic aspects of the use, these terms being defined herein, and/or where
appropriate, the assessment criteria contained within the table shown at section 15.3.
premises:
includes:
(a)
the whole or any part of any building, structure, or land, and
(b)
any construction works whether on private land, Crown land, Council land or any public
place.
principal place of residence:
a single dwelling house or dwelling unit that is the place of residence at which at least one person
who constitutes the owner/s of the land predominantly resides. In establishing principal place of
residence, Council may consider, but not be limited to the owner’s declared address for electoral,
taxation, government social security or national health registration purposes, or any other form of
evidence deemed acceptable by the Council.
Residential premises which have not, in the opinion of the Council met these criteria will be
deemed a secondary residence.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 32 The following cases specifically do not comply with the definition of a principal place of
residence, namely a single dwelling house or dwelling unit that is;
(a)
not occupied by at least one person/s who constitute the owner/s, but occupied by any
other person/s, whether in return for rent or remuneration or not, including members of the
owner’s family, or;
(b)
vacant, whether permanently or temporarily (for more than 120 days of the financial year),
including for the purposes of renovation or redevelopment, except in the case where;
(c)
(i)
a premises being renovated remains the registered principal place of residence for
the purposes specified above and that the owner/s do not own any other property
which they claim to be their principal place of residence, and;
(ii)
a property is vacant for a period longer than 120 contiguous days of the financial
year due to the owner/s absence on an extended holiday, provided that the property
remains completely vacant for the entire period of their absence.
premises fully or partially held in other than private ownership.
Such instances will be regarded as being secondary residential purposes.
principal residential purpose(s):
means the purpose of a use of a dwelling house or dwelling unit where that purpose is solely for a
principal place of residence not containing any improvements of a non-residential nature nor
comprising any non-residential or commercial activity unless such improvements or activity is
limited to:
(a)
self-contained accommodation, either detached, semi-detached or integrated, for the care
and shelter of an aged or infirm family member of the occupant/s. The gross floor area of
any such self-contained accommodation is not to exceed the limitation for a secondary
dwelling as set out in the City Plan 2014 (Part 9 ‘Dwelling house code’ and/or ‘Dwelling
house (small lot) code’, Acceptable outcomes AO1.1 and AO1.2), and/or
(b)
the owner/s working from home being either self-employed or working for their employer
either permanently or temporarily, unless any such activity conforms with and does not
exceed the conditions set out in ‘Column 2’ of the table shown at section 15.3.
(c)
engaging in a hobby or past-time that involves the sale, manufacture or provision of goods
or services and/or the reception of customers to view, purchase or consult on any such
goods or services on site, including low-key, kerb-side sales and stalls, provided any such
activity conforms with and does not exceed the conditions set out in ‘Column 2’ of the
table shown at section 15.3.
Land meeting the definition and requirements of owner-occupied multi-residential (single
family) shall be deemed to be used for principal residential purpose(s).
private ownership:
means land, the certificate of title of which is in the name of an individual or more than one
individual and excludes land owned or partially owned by companies, trusts, organisations or any
other entity other than an individual. This is regardless of whether the land is occupied as a
residence by a shareholder or even the sole shareholder of that company, trust, organisation or
entity.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 33 property:
a parcel or parcels of land recorded together within Council’s systems for rating and charging
purposes.
public worship:
for the purposes of this resolution and to avoid misunderstanding, public worship is defined as
follows;
(i)
worship which is conducted within the concept of “open doors” so that members of the
public who are not regular congregation members of the particular religious institution
may, without impediment or condition, gain access to and participate in such worship
alongside the regular congregation members, and;
(ii)
worship to which members of the public are actively invited to attend by means of signage
located at each of the public entrances to the land. Such signage must include an
unambiguous and open invitation to members of the public to worship as well as a
statement as to relevant worship times (referrals to obtain worship times are not acceptable
in lieu of advertised times) and such signage to be printed in a style that is clearly legible
from outside of the boundaries of the land, and;
(iii)
worship which is not pre-conditioned upon advance notice of any description and which is
not pre-conditioned upon the recommendation or approval of another congregation
member or by the completion of any precursory instruction or induction.
rateable land:
has the meaning given by Section 95 of the City of Brisbane Act 2010.
rateable value:
pursuant to section 3 of this resolution, the land value upon which general, separate and special
rates are based.
rating quarter:
in relation to a financial year, means a part of the year of a period of three months commencing on
1 July, 1 October, 1 January or 1 April in that year.
religious institution:
is an institution that is;
(a)
a recognised denomination by the Commonwealth under the terms of Section 26 of the
Marriage Act 1961, being proclaimed by the Governor-General as a religious body or a
religious organisation for the purposes of the Act, or
(b)
an exempt institution (of a religious nature, or a religious body) under section 545(1) of the
Duties Act 2001; or
(c)
registered as a charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act
2012 as the subtype of entity mentioned in column 2 of item 3 of the table in subsection
25-5(5) of that Act.
This institution would be established in accordance with the Australian Taxation Office’s
definition of a ‘religious institution’ as stated in the Taxation Ruling ‘92/17’ or any subsequent
ruling or legislation that amends or further articulates this definition for Federal taxation purposes.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 34 residential purpose(s):
land that is in, or if it were categorised would be in, Differential Rating Category 1, 7, 10 or 14
determined under Section 4(a) of this Resolution.
Any residential premises that exceeds the ‘Assessment Criteria’ for both Differential Rating
Category 1, 7, 10 and 14 (Columns ‘2’ and ‘3’) of the table shown at section 15.3 is deemed to be
non-residential purposes.
retirement facility:
has the same meaning as given to ‘retirement facility’ under Schedule 1 of City Plan 2014, and
unless owned and operated by a religious institution, is registered as such with the Department of
Justice and Attorney General.
secondary residence/secondary residential purposes:
a single dwelling house or dwelling unit that:
(a)
is used solely for the purposes of a place of residence of one family, and
(b)
is not the principal place of residence of at least one person who constitutes the owner,
and
(c)
does not contain any improvements of a non-residential nature or comprising any nonresidential or commercial activity unless such improvements or activity is limited to:
(i)
self-contained accommodation, either detached, semi-detached or integrated, for the
care and shelter of an aged or infirm family member of the occupant/s. The gross
floor area of any such self-contained accommodation is not to exceed the limitation
for a secondary dwelling as set out in the City Plan 2014 (Part 9 ‘Dwelling house
code’ and/or ‘Dwelling house (small lot) code’, Acceptable outcomes AO1.1 and
AO1.2), and/or
(ii)
the occupier/s working from home being either self-employed or working for their
employer either permanently or temporarily, unless any such activity conforms with
and does not exceed the conditions set out in 'Column 2' of the table shown at
section 15.3.
(iii)
engaging in a hobby or past-time that involves the sale, manufacture or provision of
goods or services and/or the reception of customers to view, purchase or consult on
any such goods or services on site, including low-key, kerb-side sales and stalls,
provided any such activity conforms with and does not exceed the conditions set out
in 'Column 2' of the table shown at section 15.3.
The definition includes:
(a) vacant display homes, providing they are not being utilised as a sales or site office, and
(b) those instances deemed to be a secondary residence by the definition of principal place of
residence and those instances set out in the second paragraph of the definition of a
principal place of residence.
special disability trust:
means a trust approved by the courts to protect the interests of a deemed vulnerable pensioner
owner. These are established by consent with the pensioner’s attorney, guardian, primary carer or
even the state Office of the Adult Guardian. These trusts must comply with the Social Security
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 35 Act, 1991 (Commonwealth) part 3.18A – financial provision for certain people with disabilities
(Special Disability Trust).
vacant land:
land devoid of buildings or structures with the exception of outbuildings or other minor structures
not designed or used for human habitation or occupation. It does not apply to land that is used for
car parking or in conjunction with any commercial activity, e.g. heavy vehicle or machinery
parking, outdoor storage areas, assembly areas or rural activities such as cultivation, grazing or
agistment.
visual, spatial and economic:
attributes defined separately below pertaining to the usage of land and used in determining the
level of non-residential activity being conducted on the premises for differential rating
categorisation purposes, or the nature of any activity conducted on the premises for General rate
exemption determination. These attributes may be considered in conjunction with the assessment
criteria described in the table shown at section 15.3.
Each attribute is defined as follows:
(a)
Visual:
The visual impact any non-residential activity may have on the amenity
and/or character of the neighbouring area. In measuring this characteristic, consideration
would be given, but not restricted, to attributes such as signage, provision of car parking,
increased traffic volume and the degree to which the premises differs visually from its
neighbouring properties because of its non-residential activity.
(b)
Spatial:
The proportion of the total land or building area which is dedicated to the
carrying out of a non-residential activity.
(c)
Economic: The actual or potential economic benefit of an activity conducted on the
land in terms of the financial gain or saving to the owner or occupant.
For Differential Rating categorisation purposes, a property is determined to be used for nonresidential purposes where, in the opinion of the Council, one or more of the preceding attributes
indicate a level of non-residential activity which distinguishes the property from a solely
residential purpose.
For determination of General Rate exemption qualification, these attributes may be used to
evaluate whether the predominant use for which the applicant property is being utilised conforms
to the exemption criteria.
waste collection area:
an area defined at section 10.1 of this resolution and serviced by the Council or its contractor for
the collection and disposal of waste.
waste management service charges effective date:
the date of a change request, order or adjustment of the waste management service.
waste management service:
the provision of a comprehensive range of compulsory and optional collection and disposal
services offered for the removal of waste from properties, roadways and parks in Brisbane that
ensures wastes are collected and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner including
approved general refuse, recyclable material or green waste.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 36 -
15.
APPENDICES
15.1
CBD Differential Rating Boundary Map
Central Business District (CBD) Rating Category Area
for Differential Rating Purposes 2015-16
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 37 -
15.2
CBD FRAME Differential Rating Boundary Map
CBD Frame Rating Category Area
for Differential Rating Purposes 2015-16
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 38 15.3
Determining residential categorisation for differential rating.
These criteria are used to determine whether a non-residential activity conducted on or within premises
also used for residential purposes is;
a.
allowable within the definition of Differential Rating Category 1 (Residential Owneroccupied), or
b.
of such a scale or nature as to categorise the property as being of a mixed residential nature
and therefore to be included in Differential Rating Category 7 (Mixed Residential and
Secondary Residential Purposes), or
c.
of such a scale or nature that it is not allowable in either Differential Rating Category 1 or 7.
In this case the property shall be deemed to be for non-residential purposes and categorised
according to its non-residential activity.
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Assessment Criteria
Allowable level of non-residential activity
within Differential Rating Category 1 or
10.
Allowable level of non-residential activity
within Differential Rating Category 7 or
14.
1.1
1.2.1. The activity is conducted within a
dwelling, where the predominant use
is for residential purposes; or
1.3.1. The activity is conducted within a
residential dwelling; enclosed
structure such as a shed or a garage,
or dedicated area on or within a
property, the predominant use is for
residential purposes.
An activity must be conducted
on or within a property, the
predominant use is for
residential purposes by the
operators of the activity.
1.2.2. The activity is conducted within a
dwelling house or another enclosed
structure such as a shed or garage, or
dedicated area on or within a
property containing a dwelling house,
where the predominant use is for
residential purposes.
1.3.2. The activity is carried out by one or
more of the permanent residents of
the residential dwelling.
1.2.3. The activity is carried out by one or
more of the permanent residents of
the dwelling.
2.1. An activity must be subordinate
in size and function and is an
inconspicuous component of
the primary use of the dwelling
as a permanent residence.
2.2.1. The activity involves no more than 1
non-resident employee on site at any
one time, where the activity is
conducted within a dwelling house;
or
2.2.2. The activity involves no non-resident
employees on site at any time, where
the activity is conducted within a
dwelling of a dual-occupancy or
multiple dwelling.
2.2.3. The activity does not use more than a
total of 50m2 or 30% of the total
floor area of the dwelling (except if
home-based child care, bed and
breakfast or dog/cat day care
facility).
2.2.4. The activity does not involve display
of goods visible from outside the
dwelling.
2.3.1. The activity involves no more than 2
non-resident employees on site at any
one time.
2.3.2. The activity does not use more than a
total of 100m2 of floor area (except if
a commercial guest accommodation,
child care facility or dog/cat day care
facility).
2.3.3. The activity does not involve display
of goods visible from outside the
dwelling, with the exception of lowkey kerbside sales and stalls.
2.3.4. The activity does not involve hiring
out materials, goods, appliances or
vehicles.
2.3.5. The activity does not involve display
of any signs, except where within the
residential lot and no larger than
0.6m2 in area.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 39 Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
2.2.5. The activity does not involve hiring
out materials, goods, appliances or
vehicles.
2.2.6. The mixed-residential activity does
not involve display of any signs,
except where required by law,
located within the residential lot and
no larger than the minimum size
identified in a local law, or if no
minimum size identified in a local
law, no larger than 0.6m2 in area.
3.1. An activity:
(a) Generates vehicular and
pedestrian traffic of a
volume no greater than
reasonably expected in
the surrounding
residential area;
(b) Exclusively uses or is
visited by, vehicle types
reasonably expected in
the surrounding
residential area.
3.2.1. The activity does not involve more
than 1 person waiting at or near the
premises at any time (excluding the
permanent resident/s and one nonresident employee), (except where
bed and breakfast, farm stay, homebased child care or a dog day-care
facility).
3.2.2. The activity does not involve more
than 1 customer related motor vehicle
being parked on the site or in the
street/s the site has frontage to, at any
time (excluding business related
vehicle/s of the permanent resident/s
and one non-resident employee's
vehicle) and (except where bed and
breakfast, farm stay, home-based
child care or a dog day-care facility).
3.2.3. The activity involves no more than 1
visit per day of a delivery vehicle
with a capacity of up to 2.5 tonnes.
4.1. Use of motor vehicles
associated with the activity
must not impact adversely on
residential amenity.
5.1. Hours of operation must be
suited to a residential
environment.
3.3.1. The activity does not involve more
than 3 persons or a group of not more
than 15 persons for a single
appointment, waiting at or near the
premises at any time (excluding the
permanent resident/s and two nonresident employees).
3.3.2. The activity does not involve more
than 3 business related motor
vehicles being parked on the site or
in the street/s the site has frontage to,
at any time (excluding a business
related vehicle/s of the permanent
resident/s and two non-resident
employees’ vehicle/s).
3.3.3. The activity involves no more than 2
visits per day of delivery vehicles
with a capacity of less than 2.5
tonnes.
4.2.1. The activity does not involve use of
or visits by vehicles with a capacity
of 2.5 tonnes or greater.
4.3.1. The activity does not involve use of
or visits by vehicles with a capacity
of 2.5 tonnes or greater.
4.2.2. The activity does not involve the
repair, servicing, cleaning or
accessorising of motor vehicles on
site.
4.3.2. The activity does not involve the
repair, servicing, cleaning or
accessorising of motor vehicles on
site.
5.2.1. Hours of operation of any nonresidential activity are limited to 8am
to 6pm Monday to Saturday (except
where such activity is restricted to
office activities within the dwelling,
such as book-keeping or computer
work).
5.3.1. Hours of operation are limited to 8am
to 6pm Monday to Saturday except
for paid guest accommodation
business.
5.2.2. Bed and breakfast, farm stay, homebased child care or a dog day-care
facility may operate outside these
hours
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 40 Column 1
6.1. An activity providing bed and
breakfast or farm stay provides
acceptable levels of privacy
and amenity for residents in
adjoining or nearby dwellings.
Column 2
Not permitted in Category 1 or 10.

6.3.1. An activity providing bed and
breakfast or farm stay involves:
 No more than 6 paying guests
accommodated at any one time;
 The total number of residents and
paying guests does not exceed 10
persons at any one time;
Notes –

Column 3
Bed and breakfast is the ancillary use
of a dwelling providing tourist and
visitor short-term accommodation on
a commercial basis. Bed and
breakfast facilities are operated and
maintained by the resident host and
guests are generally provided with
breakfast. A bed and breakfast does
not include short-term
accommodation or a hostel.
 Serving of meals only to paying
overnight guests;
 Maximum stay of any guest does not
exceed 7 days.
Farm stay is the use of a working
farm to provide short-term
accommodation for tourists and
visitors to enable them to experience
farm living. It is a secondary business
to primary production and is
ancillary to the primary residential
dwelling on the site. Farm stay does
not include short-term
accommodation or rooming
accommodation.
7.1. An activity for a Home-based
child care facility must not
impact adversely on residential
amenity.
7.2.1. If the activity is a Home-based child
care facility, the maximum number
of children on the premises does not
exceed 7 at any time.
7.3.1. If the activity is a Home-based child
care facility, the maximum number
of children on the premises does not
exceed 7 at any time.
8.2.1. If the activity is a dog/cat day care
facility, the maximum number of
dogs and/or cats on the premises
does not exceed 4 at any time.
8.3.1. If the activity is a dog/cat day care
facility, the maximum number of
dogs and/or cats on the premises
does not exceed 4 at any time.
Notes –
Home-based child care is a home-based
care service providing care for a small
group of children within a private
dwelling. Home-based child care does not
include care in the child’s own home or
care by relatives. The Education and
Care Services Act 2013 has legislative
requirements for home-based child care
services
8.1. An activity for a dog/cat daycare facility must not impact
adversely on residential
amenity.
Notes –
Dog/Cat day-care facility is the ancillary
use of residential premises for the care,
feeding and exercising of pets other than
overnight boarding and does not include
animal keeping. Brisbane City Council
Animals Local Law 2003 and Animals
Subordinate Local Law 2003 contain
requirements for keeping of animals.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 41 15.4
Criteria for determining categorisation for differential rating categories 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f,
5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5m, 5n, 5o, 5p, 5q, 5r, 5s, 5t, 5u and 5v from 1 July 2015.
Rateable Property Address
Real Property Description
151A Roma Street, Brisbane
L.2 SP.100562 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005001403
260 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.119919 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181624
120 Edward Street, Brisbane
L.5 SP.135597 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003896732
100 Creek Street, Brisbane
L.30 RP.145982 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002202024
201 Charlotte Street, Brisbane
L.8 RP.178809 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187571
50 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.3&10 RP.128822 & L.23 RP.146830 Par Nth
Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002195616
545 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.10 RP.185905 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002182564
240 Margaret Street, Brisbane
L.2 RP.182958 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002192274
410 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.4 RP.213466 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002204095
26 Charlotte Street, Brisbane
L.1/2 RP.615 & L.1 RP.616 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187498
31 Tank Street, Brisbane
L.3 SP.172708 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004293086
300 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
L.31 RP.173814 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187084
49 Wharf Street, Brisbane
L.25 RP.216272 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002216016
369 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.24 RP.216272 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002216008
161 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1/2 RP.45660 & L.2 RP.49279 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002186821
136 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.114640 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181939
163 Charlotte Street, Brisbane
L.506 B.118215 & L.1/3 RP.182759 & L.1 RP.626 Par
Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005186519
60 Edward Street, Brisbane
L.50 RP.200074 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002200119
Differential Rating Category
5b.
Central Business District – Group B
5c.
Central Business District – Group C
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 42 Rateable Property Address
Real Property Description
147 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.102/103 SP.253299 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005205640
444 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.23 RP.223377 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002182325
144 Edward Street, Brisbane
L.3 RP.209571 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002200176
144A George Street, Brisbane
L.11 CP.866932 & L.303 CP.866933 & L.304
CP.866934 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002195301
52 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.26 B.3149 & L.1/2 22 B.3153 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181830
127 Creek Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.142803 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002201208
102 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.122123 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002201570
160 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.12 RP.128676 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002203998
63 George Street, Brisbane
L.23 SP.180748 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004454399
205 North Quay, Brisbane
L.14 B.32372 & L.1 RP.55922 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002218780
97 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.613 & L.22/23 RP.214366 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act#500000002187308
36 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill
L.2 RP.124155 & RL.06/215327 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004051070
35 Charlotte Street, Brisbane
L.3 SP.102562 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003979710
288 Edward Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.132189 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002200366
40 Tank Street, Brisbane
L.6 RP.813314 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002216263
60 Albert Street, Brisbane
L.1 SP.226353 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004775868
53 Albert Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.140881 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002198149
89 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.110131 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002202115
270 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.127671 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181632
Differential Rating Category
5c.
Central Business District – Group C
5d.
Central Business District – Group D
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 43 Rateable Property Address
Real Property Description
307 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.34 RP.146754 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002186169
21 Queen Street, Brisbane
Reserve.785 - L.492 CP.855445 & L.300 CP.866930 &
L.301 CP.866931 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002186938
145 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.905881 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187019
200 Turbot Street, Brisbane
L.89 SP.264798 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005103126
324 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1/2 RP.887 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181673
167 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.2 RP.905881 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187001
343 Albert Street, Brisbane
L.343 SP.262727 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005091206
300 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.32 RP.178652 & SL.06/51430 - L.21 SL.10753 &
TL.06/234812 - L.22 SP.243732 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005014638
255 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1 SP.148916 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004162323
76 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.4 RP.45632 & L.3 RP.45762 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181855
400 George Street, Brisbane
L.2 SP.172708 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004293078
179 Turbot Street, Brisbane
L.179 SP.262727 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005091198
62 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.14/15 SL.11335 & L.76/77 B.118224 & L.22
RP.133027 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002203956
130 Queen Street, Brisbane
TL.06/206671 - L.11 CP.892144 & L.1 RP.125108 Par
Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181921
221 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
L.31 RP.178577 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002202057
320 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
L.9 RP.92926 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002201752
357 Turbot Street, Brisbane
L.6 RP.221165 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002204103
140 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
L.100 SP.228870 & TL.06/233996 - L.6/9 SP.228871
PAR NTH BRISBANE
RIMS Act# 500000004817389
Differential Rating Category
5d.
Central Business District – Group
D
5e.
Central Business District – Group E
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 44 Rateable Property Address
Real Property Description
133 Mary Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.182958 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002200127
363 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
L.27 RP.204754 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002201976
175 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.10 SP.151098 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004118796
21 Saul Street, Brisbane
L.30 RP.169792 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002216347
239 George Street, Brisbane
L.28 RP.170279 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002195632
59 George Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.159900 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002195806
140 Alice Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.40587 & L.12 SP.231766 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005052141
119 George Street, Brisbane
L.1/4 RP.43986 & L.2 RP.640 & L.1 RP.641 Par Nth
Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003979777
2 Roma Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.172274 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002218988
66 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.16 RP.229111 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187092
16 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.123283 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002203949
249 Turbot Street, Brisbane
L.2 SP.140773 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004553612
61 Mary Street, Brisbane
L.22 RP.178621 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002188660
54 Mary Street, Brisbane
L.14 SL.12186 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002188447
123 Albert Street, Brisbane
L.51 RP.890812 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002198040
259 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.2 SP.148916 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004319055
73 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.5 SP.140665 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004423055
480 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.2 RP.1102 & L.2 RP.1103 & L.25/26 RP.137725 &
L.1/2 RP.67151 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005088202
110 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.886307 & L.2 RP.886308 & TL.06/214694 L.1 SP.128099 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004621294
Differential Rating Category
5e.
Central Business District – Group
E
5f.
Central Business District – Group F
5g.
Central Business District – Group G
5h.
Central Business District – Group H
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 45 Rateable Property Address
Real Property Description
12 Creek Street, Brisbane
L.4 RP.173778 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187100
345 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.5 RP.200298 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002186151
166 Creek Street, Brisbane
L.1 RP.122127 & TL.06/216281 - L.53 SP.121394 Par
Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004067910
170 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.4 RP.221710 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181566
240 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.5 RP.200175 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002181616
131 Mary Street, Brisbane
L.900 SP.245994 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005217264
45 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.50 RP.817615 & SL.06/51313 - L.9 SL.12596 Par
Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003639264
39 Edward Street, Brisbane
L.2 SL.12006 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002201174
275 George Street, Brisbane
L.20 SP.198665 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004687709
152 Alice Street, Brisbane
L.22/23 36/37 B.118243 & L.1/3 RP.1068 & L.1
RP.110657 & L.2 RP.111828 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002195046
197 Mary Street, Brisbane
L.40 RP.817615 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003639736
192 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.5 SP.115364 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003799019
266 George Street, Brisbane
L.12 SP.192709 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004637969
Differential Rating Category
5h.
Central Business District – Group
H
5i.
Central Business District – Group I
5j.
Central Business District – Group J
5k.
Central Business District – Group K
5l.
Central Business District – Group L
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.111 SP.259700 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005132323
2 George Street, Brisbane
L.654 & RESERVE.636 - L.651 SP.241925 PAR NTH
BRISBANE RESERVE FOR TECHNICAL
COLLEGE (L.651)
RIMS Act# 500000004931925
5m.
Central Business District – Group M
167 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.217 B.11826 & L.1 RP.574 & L.1 RP.575 & L.2
RP.49018 & L.1 RP.65292 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002186813
5n.
Central Business District – Group N
185 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1/2 SP.134044 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000003963805
5o.
Central Business District – Group O
226 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.32 SP.156458 & TL.06/234860 - L.33 SP.182841 &
L.1/3 SP.182858 Par Nth Brisbane
5p.
Central Business District – Group P
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 46 Rateable Property Address
Real Property Description
Differential Rating Category
RIMS Act# 500000005062777
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane
L.122 SP.259700 & L.123 SP.208982 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005141670
5q.
Central Business District – Group Q
91 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.41 RP.218420 & SL.06/52311 - L.711 SL.802985 &
SL.06/52309 - L.712 SL.837761 & SL.06/52310 L.710 SL.12438 & PO.06/217663 - L.42 SP.145288
(L.42 - Volumetric Lot (Closed Road - Strata) Par Nth
Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004130163
5r.
Central Business District – Group R
159 Roma Street, Brisbane
L.34 SP.100560 & L.1 SP.207220 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005029487
5s.
Central Business District – Group S
141 Queen Street, Brisbane
L.1/4 RP.113488 & TL.06/233650 - L.5 SP.228408 Par
Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002186839
5t.
Central Business District – Group T
200 Mary Street, Brisbane
L.9 RP.196746 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002188553
313 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
L.5 RP.195923 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002201992
375 Turbot Street, Spring Hill
L.50 SP.134928 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004041311
57 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
L.30/31 SP.254940 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005063478
280 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
L.1/2 RP.979 & L.26 SL.11452 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187076
69 Ann Street, Brisbane
L.21 SP.198665 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004687717
245 Charlotte Street, Brisbane
15.5
5u.
Central Business District – Group U
5v.
Central Business District – Group V
L.2 RP.157971 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000002187563
Criteria for determining categorisation for differential rating categories 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d,
8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8j and 8k from 1 July 2015
Commonly Known As
Rateable Property
Address
Real Property Description
Kenmore Village
9 Brookfield Road, Kenmore
L.1 SL.12534 Par Indooroopilly
RIMS Act# 500000004372963
Home Zone Windsor
142 Newmarket Road, Windsor
L.1 SP.146479 Par Enoggera
RIMS Act# 500000004036352
Mt Gravatt Plaza
55 Creek Road, Mt Gravatt East
L.1 RP.180967 PAR BULIMBA
RIMS Act# 500000000250837
Differential Rating
Category
8a.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group A
8b.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group B
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 47 Commonly Known As
Rateable Property
Address
Real Property Description
Centro Lutwyche
112 Chalk Street, Lutwyche
L.9/10 RP.19093 & L.5 RP.842880 &
L.1 SP.242892 Par Enoggera
RIMS Act# 500000005012590
Amazons Central
11 Pavilions Close, Jindalee
L.10 SP.160043 Par Oxley
RIMS Act# 500000004213332
Cannon Hill Kmart Plaza
1909 Creek Road, Cannon Hill
L.5 RP.121447 Par Bulimba
RIMS Act# 500000000111948
Homemaker City Aspley
815 Zillmere Road, Aspley
L.1 RP.805963 Par Nundah
RIMS Act# 500000001532687
Centro Taigum
215 Church Road, Taigum
L.4 SP.145646 Par Kedron
RIMS Act# 500000004057325
Homemaker City Jindalee
180 Sinnamon Road, Jindalee
L.2 SP.140553 Par Oxley
RIMS Act# 500000003970693
Sunnybank Hills
Shoppingtown
661 Compton Road, Sunnybank
Hills
L.1 RP.214796 & L.1 RP.214797 Par
Yeerongpilly
RIMS Act# 500000003304877
Stafford City
400 Stafford Road, Stafford
L.1 RP.853658 Par Kedron
RIMS Act# 500000001264638
8f.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group F
Toowong Village
9 Sherwood Road, Toowong
L.3 RP.211016 & L.1 RP.844743 Par
Enoggera
RIMS Act# 500000002165684
8g.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group G
Aspley Hypermarket
59 Albany Creek Road, Aspley
L.4 RP.164286 & L.1 RP.198020 Par
Kedron
RIMS Act# 500000001492114
Sunnybank Plaza
358 Mains Road, Sunnybank
L.20 RP.813380 Par Yeerongpilly
RIMS Act# 500000003144604
Mt Ommaney Centre
171 Dandenong Road, Mt
Ommaney
L.3 SP.108533 Par Oxley
RIMS Act# 500000003781587
8i.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group I
Brookside
159 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
L.5 RP.842671 & L.1 SP.271468 Par
Enoggera
RIMS Act# 500000004024028
8j.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group J
Centro Toombul
1015 Sandgate Road, Nundah
L.1 RP.202924 Par Toombul
RIMS Act# 500000001941466
8k.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group K
15.6
Differential Rating
Category
8c.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group C
8d.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group D
8e.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group E
8h.
Large Regional Shopping
Centre – Group H
Criteria for determining categorisation for differential rating categories 9a, 9b, 9c and
9d from 1 July 2015
Commonly
Known As
Indooroopilly Shopping
Centre
Rateable Property
Address
322 Moggill Road,
Indooroopilly
Real Property Description
L.146 SP.258336 Par Indooroopilly
RIMS Act# 500000005246701
Differential Rating
Category
9a.
Major Regional Shopping
Centre – Group A
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 48 Westfield Carindale
1151 Creek Road, Carindale
L.2 RP.909241 Par Bulimba
RIMS Act# 500000004096067
Westfield Garden City
2049 Logan Road, Upper Mt
Gravatt
L.1 SP.254122 Par Yeerongpilly
RIMS Act# 500000005216993
Westfield Chermside
395 Hamilton Road,
Chermside
L.1 SP.192393 Par Kedron
RIMS Act# 500000004535361
15.7
9b.
Major Regional Shopping
Centre – Group B
9c.
Major Regional Shopping
Centre – Group C
9d.
Major Regional Shopping
Centre – Group D
Criteria for determining categorisation for differential rating categories 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f,
2g, 2h, 2i, 2j and 2k from 1 July 2015
Commonly Known As
Rateable Property
Address
Real Property Description
Differential Rating
Category
Toowong Village Car Park
603 Coronation Drive,
Toowong
L.10 RP.209688 Par Enoggera
RIMS Act# 500000002165726
2b.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group B
Valley Metro Shopping
Centre
52 Alfred Street, Fortitude
Valley
L.1 SP.196979 & L.40 (BAL)
SP.196964 Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004733644
2c.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group C
600 Gregory Tce, Bowen
Hills
L.112/115 SP.219238 & L.116&704
SP.219239 & L.703 SP.238193 Par
North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004951352 and;
651 Gregory Tce, Bowen
Hills
L.702 SP.219237 Par North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004875411 and;
492 St Pauls Tce, Bowen
Hills
L.108 SP.219237 Par North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004875387 and;
498 St Pauls Tce, Bowen
Hills
L.109 SP.219237 Par North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004875395 and;
25 Exhibition St, Bowen
Hills
L.110 SP.219237 Par North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004875403 and;
665 Gregory Tce, Bowen
Hills
L.111 SP.219237 Par North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004875429 and;
631 Gregory Tce, Bowen
Hills
L.106/107 117/123&705/713
SP.238200 & L.102 SP.262955 Par
North Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005258888
Queensland Sport & Athletic
Centre
590 Mains Rd, Nathan
L.4 SP.272422 Par Yeerongpilly
RIMS Act# 500000005213925
2e.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group E
Sleeman Sports Complex
1699 Old Cleveland Rd,
Chandler
L.1(BAL) SP.150590 Par Tingalpa
RIMS Act# 500000004129793
2f.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group F
Brisbane Entertainment
Centre
222 Stanworth Rd, Boondall
L.45/46 SP.151260 & L.48/49
SP.151264 Par Kedron
RIMS Act# 500000004604886
2g.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group G
Suncorp Stadium
40 Castlemaine St, Milton
L.581 RP.227070 & L.354 RP.898660
& L.41 RP.904552 & L.471 SP.144611
& L.42 SP.161089 & L.357 SP.161706
Par Nth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000005129071
2h.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group H
Queensland Tennis Centre
190 King Arthur Tce,
Tennyson
L.7 SP.214201 Par Yeerongpilly
RIMS Act# 500000004714784
2i.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group I
The Brisbane Cricket Ground
(Part thereof)
411 Vulture St,
Woolloongabba
L.2 RP.803783 & TL.06/208598 L.100 CP.900152 & L.101 SP.120175
2j.
Commercial/Non-
RNA Showgrounds
2d.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group D
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 49 Commonly Known As
Rateable Property
Address
Real Property Description
& TL.06/218434 - L.103 SP.134698 &
L.104 SP.179933 Par Sth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004774481
The Brisbane Cricket Ground
(Part thereof)
15.8
401 Vulture St,
Woolloongabba
L.3/4 SP.182798 Par Sth Brisbane
RIMS Act# 500000004859746
Differential Rating
Category
Residential – Group J
2k.
Commercial/NonResidential – Group K
Criteria for determining categorisation for differential rating categories 18 and 19 from
1 July 2015
Commonly Known As
Mater Public Hospital
(Part thereof)
All Hallows’ School
(Part thereof)
Rateable Property
Address
537 Stanley St, South
Brisbane
547 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
Real Property Description
Differential Rating
Category
L.2 SP.140708 & L.50&54/62
RP.11625 & L.1 RP.11630 & L.43/46
RP.11633 & L.2 RP.185046 & L.3
SP.140708 & L.3 SP.163361 & L.1
SP.227481 & TL.06/213427 - L.100 &
TL.06/213426 - L.101 SP.119005 & &
TL.06/232181 - L.100 SP.192428 Par
Sth Brisbane (L.3 SP.140708 - Stratum
Airspace Between RL36.75-RL17.0)
(TL.06/213426 - L.101 &
TL.06/213427 - L.100 SP.119005 &
TL.06/232181 - L.100 SP.192428 Closed Road Strata (Volumetric Lots)
18.
Commercial/NonResidential – Special
Concession
L.1/2 SP.268187 Par Nth Brisbane
19.
CTS - Commercial/NonResidential – Special
Concession
LORD MAYOR’S BUDGET SPEECH 2015-16:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) advised that a copy of each Budget
Submission for the 2015-16 Financial Year, including the Lord Mayor’s Budget Speech 2015-16, Brisbane City
Council Budget 2015-16, and the Brisbane City Council Schedule of Rates and Charges 2015-16, had been
placed in front of each Councillor and a full set of Budget Documents had been tabled. He delivered the
following speech in support of the 2015-16 budget.
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, before proceeding with my budget presentation, I would like
to point out that a copy of each budget submission for the 2015-16 financial year
has been placed in front of each Councillor, and a full set of documents have
been tabled.
I rise today to present the 2015-16 Brisbane City Council Budget. As
LORD MAYOR of Australia's New World City, it gives me great pleasure to
deliver a budget that continues to get things done and deliver for the residents of
Brisbane.
In last year's budget speech, I spoke about the importance of the G20 summit to
our economy and our future reputation. World leaders, media and international
business left our city knowing what a friendly, clean and welcoming place
Brisbane is. I know we will all reap the benefits and rewards of this safe and
successful summit through ongoing tourism generation and capital investment.
I would like to thank all residents and business that contributed as part of
‘Team Brisbane’ to the success of this international event positioning us as the
capital city of the world through those few days last November.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 50 Over the years, I have experienced many changes and have taken on many
challenges, but one thing remains constant, the people of Brisbane value
leadership based upon sound financial management principles in order to
prioritise making the city and suburbs a great place to live.
Madam Chairman, this budget sees the completion of many projects and
commitments made by me in the lead-up to the 2012 election. The delivery of
these commitments has made Brisbane a more liveable, vibrant, accessible and
sustainable city. Importantly, it demonstrates the capacity of my administration
to tackle challenges and consistently deliver on its promises to the people of
Brisbane. I will speak more about these commitments and the raft of new
projects later.
This budget builds on a number of my key priorities that will ensure the future
prosperity of our city: new road infrastructure, maintenance of our suburban
streets, and measures that continue to tackle traffic congestion; improving public
transport and cycling; improving the sustainability of our city; a creative city; an
Accessible and Inclusive Brisbane; a New World City with superior lifestyle
choices, and a strong city economy characterised by small business growth and
job creation.
Madam Chairman, last year I spoke about the 2011 and 2013 storm events. It
would be remiss of me not to mention the adversity that residents have endured
through storm events over the past year in November 2014 and February and
May this year.
As a city, these events create additional cost implications to our budget, through
infrastructure damage, park damage and road and drainage damage. In addition,
we are the only Council which, after major storm events, routinely provides free
kerbside collection of waste in a timely fashion to ensure residents have one less
headache to worry about.
In addition, the cost of the major storm events in the last year has amounted to
nearly 2 per cent of total rate revenue. As a result of sound financial
management, this recovery work was completed with no impact on frontline
service delivery.
Madam Chairman, last year, I announced an average rates increase in the budget
of 3.85 per cent, but in the October quarter, a rate rebate amounting to 1.9 per
cent of annual rates bill was paid to all ratepayers following the announcement
of the repeal of the carbon tax. I want to highlight that this means the real
increase in rates last year was held to an average of 1.95 per cent for residential
and commercial businesses.
Again, I want to reassure residents that this Administration will continue to
manage your city finances responsibly, and will continue to promote the
economic growth in our city—all while delivering a balanced budget, a strong
credit rating, and a sustainable level of borrowing commensurate with a growing
city.
This year sees the completion of the largest infrastructure and public transport
build ever seen by our city, all while making sound financial principles a
priority and ensuring we did not take the city into unsustainable debt.
I would like to thank my LNP team, along with all Council officers, contractors,
subcontractors, unions and residents for the role that they have played in
delivering these key projects for Brisbane.
Madam Chairman, today I confirm that in 2015-16 the average increase in rates
for owner-occupied residential and commercial properties will be 2.5 per cent.
For owner-occupiers, this average rate increase equates to $8.06 per quarterly
rates notice, or 62 cents per week.
As in past years, we are determined to maintain rebates for those residents on a
pension. In this budget, full and part pension rebates will rise to $924 and
$431 respectively. We will continue to offer a special remission on water and
sewerage accounts of $472 for a full pension.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 51 The average increase to Council's fees and charges is also 2.5 per cent, although
I would like to mention two exceptions in regards to that. On street parking costs
remain frozen at the 2013-14 level of $4.40. In today's dollars, this will be much
lower than the previous Labor Administration's $4 per hour charged way back in
2002. The Rate Account and Services Establishment fee remains frozen at $177,
lower than Labor's Ownership Transfer fee of $200 back in 2004.
Madam Chairman, I am pleased to report that in keeping with my promise from
2014 that debt levels would reduce over coming years, I am now able to
announce that net debt per person will be reduced to $1,088 in 2015-16, down
from $1,411 in 2014-15.
This equates to a 47.8 per cent reduction in per capita debt since the 2013-14
financial year, and is lower than at any time during the previous
Labor Administration's 13 years in office. Under Labor, net debt per capita
exceeded $2,000 per person for five years. It is an undeniable fact that, under
my Administration, debt is lower than it ever was under Labor in
Administration.
Madam Chairman, the City of Brisbane Investment Corporation (CBIC) is the
City's future fund. This fund has grown its equity from $137 million to
$236 million since 2009. Ratepayers will again benefit from CBIC's portfolio of
revenue producing assets. This year, the dividend from CBIC to Council will be
$20 million, equivalent to more than 2 per cent of rates revenue. Let's not forget
that Labor's plan is to sell the CBIC assets to fund short-term projects.
Madam Chairman, just six months ago, the Keep Australia Beautiful Foundation
named Brisbane as ‘Australia's most sustainable city’.
This award means a lot to my team, the team at CitySmart and to all Council
staff. It is a fitting reward for our ongoing commitment to sustainability since
2004.
Madam Chairman, I would like to make mention again of the Two Million Trees
project completed in our last term of office, along with 100 per cent green power
and bus and vehicle fleet offsets.
CitySmart, the organisation charged with making Brisbane Australia's most
sustainable city, has launched two new programs; Reduce your Juice will see
CitySmart in partnership with the Federal Government working with young
adults and low income families in rental properties across the city to improve
their energy use with a target of saving up to $285 or 19 per cent of their
average annual electricity bill.
Live for Less will see CitySmart work with families and households across
Brisbane by better managing water, waste, energy and transport, helping to
reduce their daily cost of living.
These new programs complement our very successful Ezygreen program which
has saved participating Brisbane households around $170 off their energy bills
every year, and our suburban GreenHeart Fairs are showing residents how to
reduce their daily energy costs.
Madam Chairman, I want to make mention of three of the many open space and
park projects provided for all residents to enjoy now and into the future.
The 3.5 hectare Frew Park at Milton was opened in November last year, and it is
being enjoyed by thousands of visitors every week.
The re-development of Howard Smith Wharves has been awarded, and will
deliver a minimum 80 per cent of the site of parkland, bike paths and picnic and
recreation areas. The new river destination for Brisbane residents to visit will be
transformed from a site that previous Labor Governments had allowed to remain
in a derelict eyesore for many years.
The 4 hectare Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens expansion was opened only last
month and includes a new playground, picnic areas, an amphitheatre, forest
walk, interactive kitchen garden and a new lagoon for better water management
across the gardens.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 52 To support this expansion and in recognising the value of this site to tourists and
local residents, today, I would like to announce that this budget includes
$3.4 million for a new Visitor Information Centre.
This entire precinct, including the planetarium, the summit lookout and other
scenic locations and picnic spots, is one of our City's treasures.
In recognition of this, an additional $980,000 will be specifically allocated
towards upgrading facilities at our popular Simpson Falls and JC Slaughter Falls
picnic areas. A new allocation of $700,000 over four years is included to
improve the trails and access on the mountain. Every year, 750,000 people use
the trails on Mount Coot-tha for exercise, physical recreation and enjoyment of
our beautiful city greenspace. I see it as an investment in encouraging a healthy
and active population.
Madam Chairman, it is with great enthusiasm that I announce today that we will
‘bring back the fountains’ that were an unfortunate casualty of past droughts.
Operating fountains currently grace the City in Anzac Square, Queen Street
Mall, South Bank Parklands and Roma Street Parkland.
In this budget, I have allocated over $2 million towards bringing water back to
EE McCormick Place in Upper Roma Street, Emma Miller Place in Roma Street
and Moonee Memorial Fountain located at Queen and Eagle Streets. This
allocation will also include a new fountain to be commissioned within the
Central City Area.
This budget will see a commitment towards the commencement of
beautification works on the landmark River Terrace in the Kangaroo Point Park,
an area enjoyed by many wanting to get a great view of the city especially
during the amazing Riverfire display in September each year.
In addition, we are now funding 19 grass cuts per year for our parks, up from 17
last year, and compared to 14 when Labor were last in office. Grass cuts on
major roads will be 16 times per year, compared to Labor's 12 cuts, and 14 cuts
on minor roads will be undertaken compared with 9 cuts when Labor was last in
office.
We will continue with the Lord Mayor's Sustainability grants and the Native
Animal Ambulance program. We completed the Anzac Square refurbishment in
time for the Centenary of ANZAC, and we will complete internal refit in this
coming year.
We will finish the Karawatha Environment Centre which is currently under
construction. We will spend $5.5 million on neighbourhood park upgrades in
addition to Councillors' individual investments through the ward footpath and
park funds.
We will complete the iconic Shorncliffe Pier project which I do note Labor did
not promise to fund at the last election. We will increase expenditure by 11 per
cent for local drainage construction and 2.5 per cent for major drainage
construction works.
Council's Annual Kerbside Collection will continue with an allocation of
$6.2 million in this budget, as will Council's subsidising of the growing Green
Waste Recycling Service and the Tip Shops. Our popular Green Bin service,
which now has around 69,500 users, will continue to support our clean, green
agenda. Following the recent opening of the Chandler Resource Recovery
Centre, we will also complete works at the Resource Recovery Centres at
Ferny Grove and Nudgee.
To ensure we continue to keep our streets clean, we have also allocated over
$20 million for cleansing initiatives, such as street cleaning, road sweeping, gum
removal vehicles, litter collection and awareness programs.
Madam Chairman, it is that time of the year again when I cannot help but
remind all those present how this LNP Administration has delivered muchneeded road infrastructure, and what is now Australia's most modern public
transport fleet.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 53 Whether we are speaking about major congestion reducing projects, suburban
road improvements, road maintenance, new buses, CityCats or bikeways,
keeping Brisbane moving is an ongoing challenge, but one that I know the
residents of Brisbane understand we have been and always will be committed to.
Under a Labor Administration, it is frightening to think where the roads and bus
diet in the late 1990s and into the early 2000s would have ended up.
Undoubtedly it would have been a disaster for all residents trying to move
around our city.
Only recently we have seen Councillors opposite, including no less than the
Deputy Opposition Leader, supporting a congestion tax to impose additional
costs on those people—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—who choose a car as their form of transport. These people are from all walks
of life and, in a lot of cases, need to use a car to do their job or to manage family
commitments.
Our commitments over past years have seen many new projects delivered;
including the 2004 TransApex tunnel and bridge network incorporating the
Clem7 tunnel, the Airport Link tunnel, the Go Between Bridge, and the newest
addition to our network, the Legacy Way tunnel. New open level crossings
projects at Geebung and Bald Hills; 1,090 buses purchased since 2004—I am
happy to say that our fleet is now the most modern fleet in Australia, 100 per
cent air conditioned and 100 per cent low floor disability accessible, an
achievement I am especially proud of.
We have 13 new CityCats taking the fleet to 21 Cats in total; with an increase in
the public transport subsidy for buses, ferries and CityCats from $65 million
under Labor to $114 million in this budget. We have our free CityHopper
service, bringing new life to the historic fleet of city ferries; the very successful
‘CityGlider’ and ‘Maroon Glider’ services; the left-turn-on-red rollout; our
successful pedestrian timers at key intersections, and many other suburban road
projects focused upon our vision for easing traffic congestion across the city.
Madam Chairman, the infrastructure race is one that has no finishing line. This
budget allocates funding towards more congestion busting projects. The job is
never complete, but we will responsibly manage our finances to deliver now and
into future years. With several property acquisitions now complete, this budget,
and forward budgets, provide a commitment of more than $600 million towards
the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade. This project is now out to tender, and we
look forward to the awarding of these works and commencing construction in
the coming financial year to create a new entry statement into our city.
We have allocated $80 million to getting on with stage 1 of the Wynnum Road
Corridor over the coming four years; $14 million over three years for the
Wolston Creek Bridge upgrade; $37 million over three years for Progress Road
Stage 4; $16 million over three years for stage 1B of the Telegraph Road
Corridor; $15 million over two years for Boundary Road, Wacol; $16 million
over two years for Paradise Road, Larapinta; $9 million this financial year for
Stapylton Road at Pallara; and $3 million for the signalisation of Glen Road and
Brisbane Street at Toowong.
Many other suburban road projects and critical intersection upgrades will
continue to be identified and funded in this budget including those identified by
the Congestion Reduction Unit. Madam Chairman, I want to single out two
major new announcements that will significantly improve the way we get
around our city. Firstly, this budget allocates $80 million over three years to
undertake the ‘four-laning’ of the Inner City Bypass between the Legacy Way
portal at Kelvin Grove and the RNA tunnel at Bowen Bridge Road. This project
will increase the capacity on this very important inner city link, and complement
the success of the Go Between Bridge.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 54 Secondly, road resurfacing has always been a priority for this Administration. I
am pleased to announce that I have allocated $100 million this financial year
and $65 million each subsequent year on road network resurfacing projects. This
is an increase of 66 per cent this year on my current $60 million per year
commitment, and compares with the $35 million spent in Labor's last budget in
office.
To complement this Smoother Suburban Streets program, I am now able to
announce record spending on kerb and channel works, $9 million; pavement
design construction, $5 million; a refresh of lines and road markings at
$5 million, and new footpaths and ongoing maintenance, $29million. These
items represent a total increase of $5 million or 11 per cent on last year's budget.
Madam Chairman, managing parking across our city and balancing the
expectations of all stakeholders is ongoing. Today I am announcing an
allocation of $7.1 million across four years, including $3.4 million this financial
year, towards the implementation of the all-important recommendations from
the Parking Taskforce headed by DEPUTY MAYOR Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER, with input from residents, business, community groups
and several independent bodies, including the Parents and Carers (P&C)
Queensland and motoring organisation RACQ.
One such example is the Schools Parking and Traffic Management Plan. The
safety of our children, especially in school zones, is paramount. This budget
includes $1.3 million to work with schools to improve school zone safety by the
creation of specialised Traffic Management Plans, reducing illegal parking,
managing traffic flows, and installing high visibility signage.
Madam Chairman, we will also expand existing safety programs in our suburbs.
Following the success of the portable speed warning signs in reducing speeds on
our suburban streets by an average of 10 per cent, each local ward Councillor
will receive an allocation under this budget of $30,000, and the discretion to
spend this by rotating these existing signs to their chosen locations or
purchasing additional signs.
Madam Chairman, my commitment to public transport is again evident in this
budget. Gone are the days when Labor thought it was okay to deliver only 240
buses over an eight-year period. This budget is very focused on public transport
infrastructure, building an environment where it is easier for public transport to
operate and in turn making it more reliable and efficient for the travelling
public. As part of my commitment to making bus stops disability accessible,
$7.6 million is allocated towards this project. This will go towards an overall
commitment that will see the upgrade of more than 2,500 bus stops over the next
three years, making public transport more accessible for all residents.
Madam Chairman, as I have said in past years, Brisbane City Council does not
have responsibility for pricing of fares. However, commuters are telling me that
this is a key factor influencing their decision on whether to catch public
transport or drive their car. In an effort to help these commuters who do want to
choose the public transport option, I will continue to advocate for fares at an
affordable level.
But what is indisputable is that despite the key influencing factor, Council is
doing its share on behalf of ratepayers. This budget will see the ratepayers
subsidy towards the bus network increase to a record $81.9 million. This is up
from $60 million under Labor, a 36 per cent increase. On top of this, the
combined capital improvement program, excluding flood recovery work, has
totalled $59 million over the last three years, with a further $11 million included
in this year's budget.
Madam Chairman, you would have seen recently that the 21st CityCat was
launched. I shared this honour with the Queensland Firebirds whose logos are
displayed as livery on this vessel. It is my pleasure today to announce that
$5.2 million has been allocated over three years towards the re-life of the older
Generation 1 CityCats. Some of these vessels have now been operating since the
1990s, transporting commuters and visitors around our city.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 55 This funding will ensure they can undertake many more years of service. As
these refurbished CityCats are rolled out, they will have livery designs featuring
Brisbane and Queensland sporting teams to make them more vibrant and
attractive on our river.
In addition to the new CityCat terminal at Park Road, Milton, delivered in the
past year, commuters have seen other refurbished and upgraded CityCat
terminals been rolled out at Bulimba, the Regatta at Toowong and the University
of Queensland over the past year. These new terminals and, where possible,
existing terminals are being converted to be disability friendly. The new
terminals are also being delivered as ‘double headers’, which makes it easier and
faster for our growing fleet to service our passengers.
In relation to bikeways, the cycling public, whether for leisure or commuting,
should have noticed the significant investment over the past three years. My
commitment to spend $120 million on bikeways during this term of office is
well on track to be completed this financial year and the networks are now
seeing more cycle traffic. In fact, the eight per cent growth per year in cycling is
in no small way attributable to the improving network opportunities.
Major new bikeway projects to be constructed as part of the $28 million
allocated in the 2015-16 year will include Logan Road to Woolloongabba
Rotary Park, Deshon Street to Burke Street, Bourke Street to Bennetts Road, and
the continuation of the CBD to Wynnum Manly Corridor, which includes the
Norman Creek pedestrian and cycle crossing. These investments quadruple the
spending of past Labor Administrations. They are important to the travelling
public, and deliver the infrastructure for Brisbane's future sustainable growth.
An important omission from this budget, however, is the Kangaroo Point
Pedestrian Bridge. This is a worthy initiative and one that Council will continue
to explore. However, over the last financial year, it has become clear that, to
complete this project in an iconic way, estimates range up to $120 million. This
is due to the size of the span across the river and the challenges involved in river
based construction.
Unashamedly, my priorities have, in the short term, led me to move away from
such a large spending inner city project and focus instead on the suburban
projects we need to undertake to continue to tackle traffic congestion and
improve our suburbs.
This project was, of course, originally proposed some years ago by a previous
Labor State Government and, given that pedestrian river crossings have
traditionally been undertaken by that level of government, I will continue to
explore partnership opportunities with them.
Madam Chairman, recently, Lonely Planet labelled Brisbane as ‘Australia's
Hippest City’. To get a feel for how one of the largest travel websites in the
world views Brisbane, the following excerpt will ring true with many Brisbane
residents:
“…Brisbane is an energetic river town on the way up, with an edgy arts scene,
pumping nightlife, and great coffee and restaurants. Lush parks and historic
buildings complete the picture…”.
Madam Chairman, I said earlier that sound financial management has always
been a focus for my Administration, and building the quality of lifestyle for
Brisbane residents has always been a priority during my time in Council.
Residents tell me they love the opportunities that Council offers throughout the
suburbs, like movies in the park, free Wi-Fi in the parks and libraries, like the
skate parks, our swimming pools and many suburban festivals happening
throughout the city each weekend. Let me just mention a few of these programs.
Our popular Wi-Fi in the parks and libraries program throughout the city and
suburbs is used extensively in parks in Calamvale, Everton Park, Forest Lake,
Seventeen Mile Rocks, West End and Sandgate just to name a few.
Madam Chairman, while we are on this subject, free Wi-Fi in the Queen Street
Mall, Victoria Bridge and South Bank was introduced prior to the G20 Summit.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 56 In this budget, I am happy to announce free Wi-Fi across the CBD will become
a reality. We will join other world cities in their quest to keep residents and
tourists connected to their family and friends.
As I travel around Brisbane, I notice that suburban community festivals grow in
popularity. Each year we hear about the bigger events like Paniyiri, Einbunpin
and Buddha Birthday, supported by Council. This year, I wanted to mention a
few events that Council continues to support, such as the Wynnum Illuminations
festival, the Nundah Village festival, the Sherwood Community Festival and the
Vietnamese Children's Moon festival.
Two things that continue to be so popular with residents are our pools and
libraries offering endless hours of education and entertainment opportunities.
$10 million is allocated towards new pools, refurbishment of aquatic
playgrounds. $59 million will be spent on our libraries.
Madam Chairman, during the past year, we have partnered with the
Sunnybank Rugby Union Club to plan the construction of the Performing Arts
Centre. This facility will include a 300-seat theatre, rehearsal and studio spaces,
kitchen and entertainment facilities. This centre will provide community and
multicultural groups a purpose-built facility to celebrate and display their
cultural diversity through a range of events.
As I mentioned earlier, storm events have challenged our residents. I want to
make mention of the State Emergency Service (SES) who are always on hand to
help during these times of need. Funding of $3 million is allocated in this
financial year along with $400,000 towards new depot construction. I also
acknowledge the $500,000 of ongoing funding from the State Government
towards the operations of SES.
Madam Chairman, as part of a total package of $18 million towards creating an
Accessible and Inclusive city, we will invest $5.9 million in the ongoing
delivery of practical projects such as People with Disability (PWD) Toilets and
ramps and facilities for vision and hearing impaired people at Council facilities
such as pools, libraries and community halls. We will also continue to support
the personalised public transport program and the Council Cabs projects for
residents aged over 60 years, assisting them to maintain their independence by
providing flat fares to local shopping centres.
Madam Chairman, there is no doubt that in recent years, Brisbane has become a
more vibrant and energetic city. In this budget, the New World City lighting
project will look to make Brisbane a City of Lights. The public has embraced
the Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting projects on City Hall and the Story
Bridge with their variable displays. We have seen the green colours for Wicked,
the pink colour for Breast Cancer Week and the recent rainbow colours for
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT).
Following on from the form and very vibrant light displays on City buildings
during the G20 Summit, Council buildings and private building owners will be
encouraged to Light Up Brisbane on a permanent basis. Public artworks on key
infrastructure is a program that will build on the vibrant new ‘Cirque du Soleil’
installation on Coronation Drive unveiled last month, and we will see more over
coming years. City artworks are an expression of our city's culture and creativity
and plans are in place for more to be rolled out over future years.
I am especially pleased this year to announce the transformation of Edward
Street into a showcase street that will complement the new retail precinct that
has emerged over the past few years. This budget allocates $11 million over
three years towards resurfacing, kerbside, footpath and beautification works
between the Queen Street Mall and Charlotte Street. Council's urban renewal
team will work with Edward Street traders, owners of the precinct and
management groups to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for
residents and visitors to this exciting area of the city.
This coming year, we will also continue with our award winning and
consultative neighbourhood plan process. Three new plans will commence in
this coming financial year. They will include the rapidly growing area of
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 57 Newstead/Bowen Hills, Coorparoo/Holland Park area and The Gap. In relation
to the Suburban Centre Improvement Projects (SCIP), Council has delivered 44
projects to date. This coming year will see works commence with an allocation
of $3.75 million at Graceville and $5.3 million in Alderley.
I acknowledge the contributions—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
LORD MAYOR:
—of property owners that assist in boosting the amenity of these small business
precincts.
Madam Chairman, it is Brisbane's day for accolades and I want to remind all
those present that Brisbane is now ranked in the top 15 per cent of cities
worldwide for nurturing innovation and has jumped 25 places from 85th place to
60th out of 445 cities ranked in the 2014 Innovation Cities Index.
I am reminded of a quote from Mr Bill Gates at the G20 in France in 2011
where he said, “I believe innovation is the most powerful force for change in the
world. People who are pessimistic about the future tend to extrapolate from the
present in a straight line. But innovation fundamentally shifts the trajectory of
development.”
Madam Chairman, I mentioned earlier that small and medium businesses are
great contributors to the city's economy and job generation. I would like to
assure everyone that the business forums that currently traverse the suburbs will
continue. These forums assist businesses to directly engage with Council and
hear from inspiring business mentors. Increasing competitiveness, a digital
presence, communications and education is the key to business growth and I
intend to ensure Council delivers on our part for Brisbane business.
Madam Chairman, to cut red tape, we have been working on an online smart
forms rollout which has been embraced by businesses and residents. It enables
customers to lodge information or seek approvals quickly for more minor items,
such as small event permits, advertising signs and food and drink outlet permits.
We will invest $439,000 in this budget towards accelerating the rollout of this
red-tape busting project.
The award winning Council Call Centre, ‘3403 8888’, along with the business
hotline ‘133BNE’ or ‘133263’ continues to service the resources and businesses
of our city. I am pleased to announce that funding of $25.5 million will be
allocated this year to service the call centre and ensure the customer focus
continues. We also will be experiencing a dramatic growth in enquiries through
the online and social media contact and resources have also been allocated
towards servicing this growing sector.
To gauge how a quality customer service attracts growth, we have received
41,000 calls to the 133BNE and 53,000 enquiries on social media compared to
35,000 and 40,000 respectively in previous years. I will continue to work with
organisations such as the Open Data Institute and Spatial Industries Business
Association for collaboration and sharing of information to develop the city's
economy.
The Open Data Institute has reported that for every $1 the government pays to
make data open, $5 is returned to the economy. Maintaining our commitment to
being one of Australia's most transparent local governments, Madam Chairman,
this Council is investing $243,000 in a more interactive open data portal to
ensure local business and start-ups find it easy to utilise Council data to make up
with innovative new products and applications.
Madam Chairman, a recent start-up economy study undertaken by PwC
projected that high growth technology companies could contribute four per cent
of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and add 540,000 new jobs into the Australian
economy by 2033 from a base of approximately 0.2 per cent of GDP today.
Start-up businesses both in the technology sector and other critical growth
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 58 sectors have an important part to play in creating the jobs of the future for
Brisbane.
As part of the Brisbane 2022 plan which I will cover later, we will embark on
meeting some of the challenges in this industry. These will include working with
the start-up sector and the creation of a Brisbane Start up hub, leading the
entrepreneurial attraction and exchange program, doubling the visiting
entrepreneurs program and creation of an Asia Pacific Region Start-up event.
I look forward to playing our part in this important future building initiative
along with State and Federal Governments. Madam Chairman, along with our
small business and digital programs, this budget is designed to drive growth in
jobs, through economic development and creating opportunities for our young
residents, the future leaders of our city. I want to help Brisbane residents get
ahead and provide greater capacity to make decisions about their future which is
why this budget is good for our young jobseekers and small business.
I am happy to announce that $5.6 million has been allocated in 2015-16 as part
of the total allocation of $20 million over the next four years towards
employment programs, including new traineeships, scholarship positions, new
apprenticeships and town planning cadets. This represents an increase on our
ongoing investment of more than $1 million each year.
I have also allocated $1.3 million for our commitment to increased engagement
with young people. Initiatives such as the Valley's Visible Ink, Mount Gravatt
Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), Wynnum Youth Hub and Lord Mayor's
Youth Advisory Council and Youth Week will continue to be a focus. Investing
in Brisbane's younger generation is not only good for their future but it is good
for the future of our city.
Madam Chairman, we started our journey on the Brisbane, Australia's New
World City vision in 2008. Economists have since used the term to benchmark a
range of cities worldwide that have similar traits and assets to Brisbane.
Brisbane now sits alongside 23 other new world cities that compete for talent,
capital, innovation, students, visitors and major events. As a city, we are
trending in the right direction to become one of the world's top 100 cities for
investment, for visitors, for innovation or brand and being globally recognised in
key industries.
Madam Chairman, just last month I had the pleasure to receive the Brisbane
2022 New World City Action Plan from my Economic Development Steering
Committee. I acknowledge the hard work of the committee members, the
leadership from the Chairman Ian Klug, the CEO John Aitken and the Brisbane
Marketing staff. But I would also like to acknowledge the 1,000 people
representing more than 500 local, national and international organisations who
were involved during the development of that plan.
This action plan will continue our quest for the economic growth of our city and
will help create and deliver the jobs of the future for Brisbane residents.
Before I outline a number of the visionary actions being funded in this budget, I
would like to note a few of the significant achievements from the ‘2011
Windows of Opportunity’ report. Our foreign direct investment strategy has
attracted $522 million in capital investment and created 800 new jobs. As
mentioned earlier, the 24 hour business hotline, 133BNE has been introduced
with great success. With the appointment of the Chief Digital Officer, our digital
strategy has been implemented with delivery into small and medium businesses
well underway.
Eight hundred young people have been trained in coding also through the digital
strategy. The Hotel Strategy has seen an influx of new four and five-star hotels
that have added more than 1000 new rooms in just three years.
The 2022 plan has identified eight growth sectors which can accelerate
productivity and create jobs. They are knowledge based and corporate services,
creative and digital, higher and international education, accommodation and
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 59 visitor economy, energy and resources, food and agriculture, advanced
manufacturing and property and construction.
We will commence work on the attraction of Asia Pacific headquarters, leading
education institutions, student accommodation, tourism infrastructure and
building more Brisbane based businesses in the eight key growth sectors. I will
never underestimate the value of the conventions and business meetings market,
with a significant investment by attendees at these events. The average daily
expenditure by delegates is $600. Over the past five years, delegates have spent
almost two million days in Brisbane, contributing $1.2 billion to the city's
economy. Importantly, 60 per cent of these delegates and their families are
likely to visit Australia within the next two years.
In addition to the conventions market, we will continue to grow our major
events calendar, with a goal towards attracting one significant draw card event
per month, to stimulate business and create local jobs. A few examples in our
current calendar include the Brisbane International Tennis, Brisbane Racing
Carnival, Brisbane Festival and the Christmas in the City event.
To capitalise on the G20 and maintain momentum, we will roll out a bold New
World City international campaign, targeting global decision makers, investors,
conference organisers, tourism operators, airline executives, students and their
families, primarily through the use of JCDecaux’s outdoor advertising and
billboards across the world, coupled with a Brisbane Marketing and Brisbane
City Council social media strategy.
We will continue to support and work with the Brisbane Airport Corporation to
pitch and secure new direct flights to and from some of the most important
markets, such as China, Korea and the United States. We will also pursue
opportunities to attract more cruise ships and passengers to Brisbane.
Madam Chairman, we will leverage our climate, strategic location in the
Asia Pacific region and the attractions of Moreton Bay as part of this strategy.
Madam Chairman, another priority within the knowledge economy is talented
people. The majority of focus groups suggested that people's lifestyle is a core
advantage to attract and maintain skilled people to the region. To build upon our
‘Study Brisbane’ strategy and the priority of attraction and retention of students,
and talent from Brisbane, interstate and globally, we will create several
programs. These will include an international talent repatriation program, global
student internship program, next-generation engagement program and city
education showcase program. We will increase the number of CoderDojo
graduates from 600 to at least 1,200 per annum.
We will always strive to support the many small and medium business
enterprises in our city. Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Marketing, CCIQ and
small business groups will work together to coordinate education, networks and
development opportunities. Council and the Chief Digital Officer will work with
key stakeholders to create a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) focused
business matching website, helping businesses to access funds, resources,
expertise, advice, staff and importantly new markets.
Madam Chairman, each year I speak of the importance of global identity and the
events that help in achieving these goals. This July, the Asia Pacific Cities
Summit will be held in Brisbane. Representatives from over 110 countries, more
than 75 Mayors and Deputy Mayors and over 1,000 delegates will attend. The
popularity of this event has grown significantly in its 20 years and has become
the leading cities summit in the Asia Pacific region. These delegations will bring
investment opportunities to our city and region.
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards will continue to grow in prominence and I
acknowledge the board and staff for their efforts. This event is a long term
strategic identity play into the bourgeoning worldwide film market, taking the
‘Brisbane’ name along with it and attracting future talent from this industry to
our city. The Australian Performing Arts Market will again grace the
Powerhouse in February next year, bringing arts investment and collaboration.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 60 Madam Chairman, I encourage all Brisbane residents to become part of
Team Brisbane, helping us to sell the message of why we are such a great city.
We will continue to promote this initiative at suburban events creating a sense of
pride within our city. I acknowledge a few of our Team Brisbane brand
ambassadors, like Darren Lockyer, Easton Pearson and the award winning band
Sheppard, just to name a few.
Our local champions out there in the suburbs, going about their daily business,
thank you for being part of what Team Brisbane is all about. Madam Chairman,
I cannot finish without thanking our great team of Brisbane Greeters. Since
2012, the team has grown from 12 volunteers to 200 today. They have
welcomed more than 25,000 visitors, speak 25 different languages and their
work in the media has secured more than $30 million in publicity for Brisbane.
Madam Chairman, I started at the outset of this speech—or stated at the outset
of this speech, rather that the budget builds upon the key priorities for the future
prosperity of our city. This budget delivers key projects required in a growing
city. It delivers on the basic services expected by ratepayers and delivers upon
initiatives for economic development and job creation. This budget delivers on
our Access and Inclusion agenda, making Brisbane a diverse and accessible city
to live in. It delivers a sustainability program which complements our parks and
green space commitments for a healthy city.
Madam Chairman, this budget has been prepared with the assistance of many
people within this Council. I want to acknowledge my LNP team, in particular
Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, for his dedication to managing the finances of
our city. My appreciation also goes to the Chief Executive Officer,
Mr Colin Jenson, to Mr Greg Evans, Mr Paul Oberle and to his budget team and
the other staff involved in the budget process.
To all Council staff, I say thank you for all that you do in delivering the services
and the projects for the residents of Brisbane. You truly are dedicated to a better
Brisbane.
Madam Chairman, I commend this budget to the Chamber.
ADJOURNMENT:
680/2014-15
At that time, 11.54am, it was resolved on the motion of the LORD MAYOR, seconded by the
DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, that the meeting adjourn until 9am on Friday, 19 June
2015.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 61 UPON RESUMPTION:
SECOND DAY – Friday 19 June 2015
PRESENT:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNP
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT (Pullenvale Ward) – LNP
LNP Councillors (and Wards)
Krista ADAMS (Wishart)
Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)
Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)
Vicki HOWARD (Central)
Steven HUANG (Macgregor)
Fiona KING (Marchant)
Geraldine KNAPP (The Gap)
Kim MARX (Karawatha)
Peter MATIC (Toowong)
Ian McKENZIE (Holland Park)
David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)
Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR (Parkinson) (Deputy
Chairman of Council)
Adrian SCHRINNER (Chandler) (Deputy Mayor)
Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor)
Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)
Andrew WINES (Enoggera)
ALP Councillors (and Wards)
Milton DICK (Richlands) (The Leader of the
Opposition)
Helen ABRAHAMS (The Gabba) (Deputy Leader of
the Opposition)
Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly)
Kim FLESSER (Northgate)
Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)
Victoria NEWTON (Deagon)
Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT, declared the adjourned meeting open and called for
apologies.
APOLOGIES:
681/2014-15
An apology was submitted on behalf of Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON, and she was granted leave of absence
from the meeting on the motion of Councillor MURPHY, seconded by Councillor MARX.
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de Wit then called upon the Leader of the Opposition,
Councillor Milton DICK, to present his response to the LORD MAYOR’s budget.
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION’S BUDGET RESPONSE:
Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair. The purpose of any budget is to set priorities both
now and for the future. The budget handed down by the LORD MAYOR this
week certainly has priorities; the only problem: this budget's priorities are tired,
predictable and lacking the energy required to take Brisbane to the next level.
The Brisbane City Council budget should be more than just numbers on a
spreadsheet. This budget should be Brisbane's blueprint to drive economic
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 62 growth and strengthen local communities, but it is none of these things. After
30 long years in this Chamber, this LORD MAYOR simply lacks the energy and
leadership needed to drive our city forward. While they may call themselves an
Administration, the truth is over 1 million Brisbane residents send us to this
Chamber to do more than just administer. They send us here to lead.
If you need any further proof that it was time for new energy to be injected into
City Hall, then look no further than this budget. In contrast, Madam Chair, there
is a new kid on the block: Rod Harding, the next Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
Today I will outline Labor's response to this tired old budget, while also putting
forward the energetic alternative driven by Rod Harding.
This budget is proof-positive that Brisbane needs new energy injected into
City Hall. We need basic services restored, a commitment to listen to residents
on local developments, and a plan to drive economic development and new jobs
for our city. Much to the detriment of our city's residents, this budget rolls out a
tired tale of rebadged promises, ill-directed inner-city priorities, and lightweight
baubles.
Fortunately, for the residents of Brisbane, next March they will have the
opportunity to make a clear choice: a choice between another four years of
LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK and the LNP, or the new energy of a
Rod Harding Labor Administration. The reason the choice for voters is so
crystal clear is that there is a fundamental difference between this
LNP Administration and the Rod Harding Labor team. After 30 long years in
this Council Chamber, and the past 11 consecutive years in charge of the
Council budget, it is interesting to reflect on just how much this
LORD MAYOR has been responsible for such a dull and lacklustre budget.
Indeed, when you consider this LORD MAYOR's time in Council, the LNP has
been in charge of the Council budget for 18 out of the last 30 years. This
LORD MAYOR has been in a very senior role in this place in every single
budget; a very senior role, chairing Committees relating to finance,
infrastructure, transport as well as the roles of DEPUTY MAYOR and, now
LORD MAYOR. When you hear this LORD MAYOR complain about previous
Administrations and reminiscing about the past, we all need to be clear: we need
to remember he is the one who has had his hands on the city's finances one way
or another for the better part of his 30 years in Council.
A Rod Harding Labor Administration will approach the budget with a genuine
caring view to cater for all the residents of Brisbane, no matter what part of our
great city they call home. From Aspley to Algester, Wynnum to Westlake and
all points in between. Those who make their home or operate their business in
Brisbane deserve funding based on current need and future planning, not on
postcode or proximity to the CBD.
A Rod Harding Administration will not squander millions, pandering to the big
end of town, creating an inner-city bottleneck while the suburbs are starved for
basic services, services such as grass cutting, tree trimming and pest
management, vital infrastructure such as stormwater drains and investment in
good parks and public transport services. A Rod Harding Administration will
give voice to its residents, listening to their concerns and following through with
action, not just paying lip service to the notion of community consultation.
When it comes to rates, as I have already mentioned, this isn’t a budget designed
for Brisbane's future with residents' interests at heart. It is a budget designed to
get LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK over the line at the next Council election
in March. How curious it is that, in 2007, 2011 and again this year, rates
increases have been remarkably lower than during the years in between. I often
criticise the LORD MAYOR and his LNP Administration for not being
transparent and for treating people like mugs. Well, as far as manipulating rate
increases around the election cycle is concerned, his political transparency is
there for all to see.
It was there in the media on Wednesday morning: a 2.74 per cent increase
before the 2008 election, then increases totalling 20.15 per cent over the next
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 63 three budgets; a 1.79 per cent increase before the 2012 election, then increases
totalling 12.14 per cent over the next three budgets. I am sure the
LORD MAYOR was hoping nobody would see the future rates revenue
increases he has been forced to put in the forward estimates in the budget. You
only have to look a little closely on page 8 of the budget to see his rates revenue
targets are $1.04 billion in 2016-17 and $1.1 billion in 2017-18, which equals
5.5 per cent a year.
When it comes to rates, LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK and the LNP are up to
their old tricks. They try to lull residents into a false sense of security with low
pre-election rate rises, then stinging them once they are back in office. We are in
a period of record low inflation levels, with consumer price index (CPI) only
running at 1.4 per cent, something Mayor Tom Tate realised with his budget. It
is clear that, with a 1.4 per cent increase, that is all working families and small
businesses of this city can afford. Anything greater than that, as the
LORD MAYOR has proposed, puts unrealistic expectations on the family and
business budgets.
The LORD MAYOR or the finance Chairman needs to explain today how they
are going to keep rates low, particularly when they have budgeted for increases
at 5.5 per cent each year into the future. While the LORD MAYOR was
spruiking his supposed low rate rise, we notice he failed to mention his new rate
category buried away on page 232 of the budget. Labor Councillors and
Rod Harding understand that many of the new category 20 ratepayers have
absolutely no idea that this cash-strapped LORD MAYOR is about to hit them
where it hurts, and that is because these property owners have traditionally been
exempted from paying rates, because primarily the land has always been used
for public, religious, charitable or educational purposes.
In a true sign that nothing is sacred for this money-hungry LORD MAYOR, we
understand that over the 12 months he has had his finance Chairperson quietly
reviewing all of these properties to work out how the LNP might be able to
squeeze more money out of churches, non-for-profit and educational
organisations. What's worse is that they haven’t even had the guts to be upfront
about it and tell them what they are doing.
So my challenge to Councillor SIMMONDS today is, when you get up and give
your standard response to my speech today, use the 30 minutes allocated so that
you can detail how many properties are included in the new rates category
20. Tell us and the community how much they are going to be charged, and how
much revenue you are expecting to get from this this financial year.
But the tricky accounting doesn’t end with rates. In his budget speech, the
LORD MAYOR tried to make a virtue out of his Council reducing debt, but
shifting $1.2 billion in debt from one column in Council's books to another
column does not ease the burden for ratepayers. It was disturbing to hear the
LORD MAYOR herald the City of Brisbane Corporation (CBIC), Council's
property development branch, as the saviour and protector of Council's finances.
Let's be clear: CBIC is nothing more than a bunch of unelected LNP mates
appointed by LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK to manage $236 million worth
of cash and assets owned by the people of Brisbane, a job the LORD MAYOR
was elected to do.
We know CBIC's grand plan to solve Brisbane's financial problems is to flog off
our riverside parkland for high-rise development. I pay tribute to my colleague,
Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS and her community for working so hard to stop
the madness at Mowbray Park. She stood up to the LNP and said: we won't
allow our parkland to be sacrificed and sold just to make a quick buck. The end
result? Some $350,000 of Council's money wasted after an embarrassing
Christmas Eve backflip.
So, what would a Rod Harding Labor team do differently to properly manage
Council's finances and put downward pressure on rates? Well, we know Rod has
already announced some of the things his Labor Administration will do to get
these rates increases under control. He will scrap the ridiculous fat cat executive
bonuses that are costing Brisbane residents $10 million this Council term. Even
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 64 Campbell Newman was only handing out $650,000 a year to State Government
bureaucrats, even though the State Government has 32 times more employees
than this Council.
Just as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has scrapped fat cat bonuses in the
State Government, Rod Harding will scrap them here in Council, a $10 million
saving for ratepayers. Through you, Madam Chair, here is a challenge for the
LORD MAYOR: if you are so proud of your executive bonuses scheme,
announce today how much it will cost ratepayers in this budget. Announce it
today, because, as sure as King George Square is an uninviting barren piece of
concrete, we know that your finance Chairperson will refuse to release the figure
during his budget information session.
Rod Harding has already promised to retire the Lord Mayor's black limousine
and he will make lots more savings in the Lord Mayor's office. He will cut
overseas travel, like the recent $22,000 trip by Councillor SIMMONDS. As far
as anyone can tell, the only thing Councillor SIMMONDS brought back from
that trip was a $90 shirt he bought in China, which he charged to the ratepayers
of Brisbane. Who pays $90 for a shirt in China?
As far as infrastructure development is concerned, this budget proves once again
that LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK spends big on budget day, doling out the
money for glitzy announcements, but spends the next 364 days quietly clawing
back the money through budget revenues. A stark example of this for all to see
is on page 11 of the budget—a massive $93 million windfall surplus from cuts,
delays and carryovers from the 2014-15 year. What did the LORD MAYOR say
it would be by year's end during last year's budget speech? $463,000. So, out of
$93 million, $92.5 million of projects and services were quietly cut during the
year.
His track record shows he is happy to announce projects, but then do nothing to
progress them. It has been eight years since the LNP announced they would
build the Karawatha Forest Environment Centre, but it is still not built. It has
been seven years since the LNP promised their Road Action Plan, but
construction work on these cornerstone projects—the Wynnum Road and
Kingsford Smith Drive upgrades—still haven’t started. Then we get to the
Kangaroo Point bridge, announced and re-announced that he would go it alone,
so many times by the LORD MAYOR until it was unceremoniously dumped in
Wednesday's budget for no good reason. Quite frankly, it is not good enough.
LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK's decision to dump the Kangaroo Point bridge
speaks volumes about the LNP's lack of interest in delivering active and public
transport infrastructure in our city. The Kangaroo Point bridge will deliver an
important active transport link for those people who would prefer to get out of
their car and travel into the city on foot or by bike. But the LORD MAYOR's
1950s car-only approach to transport policy will continue to see people stuck in
traffic on Brisbane's arterial roads.
Likewise, it has been interesting to see the DEPUTY MAYOR posturing and
pontificating about what everyone else should do when it comes to the
Eastern Busway or transitway. Yet, as the DEPUTY MAYOR and infrastructure
Chairman, he could not manage to get one cent in the budget to fund public
transport improvements on this Council-controlled road. As they say,
Madam Chair, where there is a will, there is a way, and clearly this LNP Council
has no will to deliver critical public transport infrastructure in this city.
I will tell you, Madam Chair, what they can deliver: more and more paid
parking. Here in Brisbane, the parking fine capital of Australia, city parking
continues to be seen by LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK as just another chance
for his Administration to get their hands into residents' hip pockets. The
LNP Council are still out of touch with the community when it comes to the
parking issues in Brisbane. This budget shows yet again that this Council
expects to make almost $40 million from parking—hardly rank amateurs.
Well, the streets of Brisbane are simply paved with gold in the eyes of the
LORD MAYOR, but this LNP Council isn’t stopping there. In an effort to make
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 65 sure they know exactly where your car is, and to ensure you pay right down to
the very last cent for every minute you are in one of their spaces, they are
introducing an app. We have also seen that, as part of their parking package
announced in the lead-up to this budget, the Administration will be moving
towards dash-mounted number plate recognition technology.
What I say to Brisbane residents is: watch out. Watch out, because there is
absolutely no doubt, based on their past actions, that this LNP Council will have
their parking inspectors out 24 hours a day tracking your movements and
waiting for you to make one false move so they can pounce. Labor stands by our
view that parking in our city should be treated as a transport and planning issue,
and certainly not just as an easy money maker.
In the LORD MAYOR's speech on Wednesday, and on most days of the week,
this LNP Council actually demands to be thanked for their lacklustre effort
when it comes to busting congestion. As with most things under the LNP, under
just the smallest amount of scrutiny, their rhetoric does not match their actions.
After 30 years in Council and 12 years of writing the budget, year-in, year-out,
this Council has now even stopped reading their own reports. From Council's
own congestion report released just a few weeks ago, the Key Corridors
Performance Report, which shows congestion on Brisbane's major roads has
increased by 3.5 per cent, meaning motorists are spending more time stuck in
traffic than ever before. As media reports, the daily commute to work is
continuing to grind down.
Every day commuter anger is building, and it is bad enough this Council cut
$20 million from public transport two years ago. Their own data shows what
everyone else knows: congestion in Brisbane is worse under this LNP Council.
It has now been 10 long years since the TransApex vision was dreamed up by
Campbell Newman and Graham QUIRK.
In the LORD MAYOR's budget speech, he boasted that the bankrupt Clem7
tunnel, the struggling Airport Link, the Go Between Bridge that was promised to
deliver a big fat cheque, and instead has ended up costing $328 million, and the
still-not-opened Legacy Way toll tunnel, are all projects the people of Brisbane
should be thankful for. Well, the proof is in, and their one and only plan for
building tolled infrastructure at a staggering cost of $3 billion, has not worked.
As the RACQ said at the time, Brisbane's toll roads are not as effective as
motorists hoped. Well, isn’t that an understatement?
Rod Harding knows this; Labor Councillors know this; commuters stuck in the
LNP's congestion every day know this; and the RACQ knows this. The only
people who don't know this are the LORD MAYOR and his Council team.
Those opposite have become congestion deniers. But of all weeks to accuse
anyone of supporting a congestion tax, we note that their own party is actively
pursuing a pricing system for use on inner-city roads. Earlier this week the
LNP Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, a colleague and friend of those
opposite, is now advocating a new pricing system to use roads based on satellite
position tracking. I quote him, “In today's world, we generally accept that you
pay for the service you receive.” But then again, those opposite are the party
who think poor people don't actually drive on roads.
Ratepayers are correct to ask if their two latest projects, the upgrades for
Wynnum Road and Kingsford Smith Drive, will actually happen. In fact, two
days ago, the RACQ said $600 million for upgrading Kingsford Smith Drive
would be better spent on other projects.
Yet again we are seeing the focus of this LNP Administration being solely on
the CBD, and this time on high-end multi-national retailers, while the suburbs
are forgotten. The LORD MAYOR will spend $11.5 million over three years on
Edward Street in the CBD while residents and businesses in Alderley and
Graceville wait years and years and endure rollover after rollover for their
$3.2 million Suburban Centre Improvement Program. It is Brisbane City
Council's job to support local business owners in the suburbs, but they just can't
seem to see past the CBD.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 66 The LORD MAYOR and his team are good at planning flashy concepts, but
don't seem to be able to work out what residents want when it comes to
development in the communities across our city. The development and planning
of our city has become little more than a cash cow for the
QUIRK Administration. Stormwater drainage funding in the city has not kept up
with development, and it shows. Recent heavy storms have highlighted how new
development impacts on local flooding in the low-lying areas of our city.
Developers and Council coffers are doing very well, while local residents are
left to shoulder the pain of Council's development application and approval
process.
We are seeing more and more residents have taken the time to write a
submission on a development application, only to be ignored by this
Administration. In the last six months, 70 per cent of public speakers in this very
place have been residents objecting to development applications. This reflects
the high level of disquiet and opposition to the LORD MAYOR's approach to
planning and development in this city.
Bree Gallagher, in her powerful speech to Council earlier this week, stated
succinctly how residents feel about their experiences. She said, Council town
planners are there to assist developers, but there is no one there to help residents
who just simply want to have their say in what happens in their suburb.
Residents are shut out of the process, and it is no wonder resident action groups
are being formed throughout Brisbane in response to this approach.
Madam Chair, this LNP Council likes to talk tough when it comes to dealing
with flooding, but after delivering budgets for 12 long years, residents should be
reminded to look at what the LNP does and not at what they say they will do. In
the budget in the service item, Gather and Provide Flood Information, we see a
big drop in catchment flood risk management plans where there has been a
62 per cent drop in proposed expenditure. The expenses to maintain and enhance
flood models has been cut by 52 per cent, while flooding investigations and
planning for the FloodSmart Future project was cut by 46.6 per cent. So this
latest budget means less and less for drainage and preparation for floods, despite
the frequency of extreme weather events and the increase in new housing.
But one place the LNP will never cut the budget, of course, is the CityCycle
program. CityCycle continues to be a shining example of another debacle
executed by this LNP Council. As I have said before, it is the proverbial
albatross around the neck of this Council's finances, and has now cost us almost
$17 million since the scheme started. Yet again we see LORD MAYOR
Graham QUIRK deliver another budget having had to pour in at least another
$600,000 to prop up this scheme.
Madam Chairman, you will recall this is the very same scheme that, according
to then-Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, and even yourself, this scheme was
going to be cost-neutral and a congestion buster. We will never have a costneutral CityCycle, and with another 14 years left on the contract, this scheme
will continue to cost ratepayers millions under the LNP. This is the last chance
that the LORD MAYOR has to deliver on his election promise for improved
bicycle infrastructure. So let's look at what the cycling community is saying.
The CBD Bicycle Users Group has raised serious concerns about Council's
bikeway network, including that approximately 50 per cent of our city bikeways
rely on measures that are not designed for safe on-road use by cyclists.
Furthermore, they state, quote, “Where bike lanes have been installed, they are
regularly blocked by parked cars or rendered unusable by being located in the
door zone.” LORD MAYOR, a true commitment to a high-quality and safe bike
network is to take on the hard decisions. Instead, your approach is to rely on
signs and lines. A recent media report headed Eight Brisbane roads cyclists
should avoid identified eight Brisbane cycle hotspots where cyclists have
identified dangerous black spots that need immediate safety improvements.
Those hotspots are in suburbs like Milton, Hawthorne, Stone's Corner,
Greenslopes, Holland Park, Wooloowin, New Farm, West End and
Woolloongabba.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 67 This budget has allocated funding to fix just one of the eight black spots. It is
not just cyclists, pedestrians and motorists who are left to fend for themselves; it
is the thousands of Brisbane residents who rely on public transport to get around
this city. We saw the LORD MAYOR out in the media wanting a pat on the
back for committing to 60 new buses in this budget, hoping that everyone will
conveniently forget that, during the last Council election, he promised the
people of Brisbane 90 buses a year, every year, for four years. Commuters in
Brisbane have lost confidence in our public transport network, and it is no
wonder why.
In this term as LORD MAYOR, Graham QUIRK stood silently by while his
former LNP political masters in the State Government attacked public transport
funding in Brisbane. The LORD MAYOR did nothing to try and halt the LNP's
privatisation plans for our buses that risked the jobs of hard-working
Brisbane Transport staff and threatened to leave commuters stranded. He
oversaw the shambolic Brisbane bus review which cut nine routes and reduced
the frequency or altered the timetable of 78 others, cutting $20 million from the
public transport budget. Anyone who takes a cursory glance at the City Plan will
see that Brisbane is about to face a population explosion which spells trouble for
our already congested streets.
We have seen Brisbane's bus patronage decline by almost 1 million passengers
over the last year, and Council missed their bus patronage target by almost
3 million passengers, and at the same time Council's own report showed that
congestion has increased by 3.5 per cent. As a result, the LORD MAYOR
has taken the extraordinary step of removing patronage targets from the
Brisbane Transport budget, so he cannot be held accountable.
But there is one area the LORD MAYOR needs to be held to account, and that is
in the area of fees and charges. Cost of living and affordability doesn’t factor
into LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK's budget when it comes to fees and
charges paid by small business and residents. Over the last five years, we have
seen excessive increases in costs to individual and community groups when it
comes to waste management, permits, hall hire and access to community spaces
and facilities.
In food licensing over the last five years we have seen small hospitality
businesses paying two-and-a-half times more in temporary food licensing fees
and other licensing increases by a staggering 150 per cent adding to the total
running cost of small businesses.
Affordable access to community spaces and facilities has been of deep concern
to residents across Brisbane. Running events, whether they be private or
community, is becoming increasingly harder since LORD MAYOR
Graham QUIRK became LORD MAYOR. The hourly fee for local hall hire has
doubled, causing damaging flow-on effects for groups and individuals in
planning their events.
Additional fees have been regulated by the Council as a condition of hall hire,
and residents are telling me that this is making or breaking their capacity to host
these events. We need a Council that is interested in vibrant community
participation and busy community halls. Costs to hire a security guard, technical
support costing over $300, and additional facility fees are causing small
organisations to rethink capacity to host events.
Under this Council's management, we have seen increases of 30 per cent of the
cost of individual waste disposal, 43 per cent in dog registration fees, and a
whopping 20 per cent in administration fees for dishonoured payments. These
increases, when combined with the LORD MAYOR's rate increases, are hurting
the family and business budget. Even Council's cemetery and funeral charges
are not safe in this budget under the LORD MAYOR. In the last five years, we
have seen a 20 per cent increase for the purchase of at-need gravesites; that
equates to an extra $500 for families at a time when they are in most need of our
support.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 68 Despite all this excess revenue from increased fees and charges, after all these
years, LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK still cannot deliver on his promised
projects. Your Brisbane is another area where there have been cuts under this
LORD MAYOR and the LNP Administration. The axe has been taken to the
Your Brisbane program, despite it being designed to focus on providing active
and healthy opportunities for families and quality community facilities. It is
programs like these that are the bread and butter of local council. They are the
programs that improve our city's liveability and contribute to a better lifestyle.
But an analysis of the budget shows community sport and recreation has been
cut by a third; capital funding is down by one third, and social inclusion has
been cut by $2 million.
In this day and age, our Council libraries need to keep up with the modern needs
of Brisbane's residents. Public libraries must offer more than a book collection
and periodicals. It is worrying to see the LORD MAYOR cut the purchase and
management of the library collection budget by 11 per cent in the past two
years. Brisbane residents and young people, who are reliant on access to firstrate libraries, deserve much better.
Last year's budget showed the active and healthy parks program has had a cut of
8.5 per cent. This is a program started by Labor to enable residents to get out
and be active in our local parks at a low cost. The LNP has abandoned our hardworking volunteer clubs with no future funding in the forward budget for grants
to cut organisational costs. Young people need places to go in our community to
be active and healthy.
So let's look at this LORD MAYOR's commitment to skate facilities for young
people in this city. We are still waiting on upgrades to skate parks in Inala and
Paddington, while the much-hyped new facility to Bracken Ridge has not
progressed past the planning stage. Young people rely on Council to deliver
youth-based infrastructure, but sports field and hard courts funding has been cut
by 32 per cent, and continues to drop even further in future years under the LNP.
The LORD MAYOR's only grand new vision for Brisbane announced in his
budget speech on Wednesday was some fairy lights and fountains. Light shows
might be fun, but safety and security in Council's parks and streetscapes should
be the priority. If you want to enhance Brisbane's international reputation, make
sure our streets, parks and public spaces are well lit and safe so we don’t
continue to see the violent crimes that we have seen in our city in recent times.
A Labor budget delivered by Rod Harding this year would have seen the
$1.6 million allocated to the CBD and new world lighting used for essential
lighting upgrades in key local parks and Council-controlled streetscapes to make
sure they are safe and give residents confidence to use them day and night.
Therein lies the difference between us. Labor says safety must come first.
Then we come to the fountains. We heard on Wednesday that the
LORD MAYOR is finally going to turn them on. Well, it is about time. One of
the most iconic fountains in Brisbane used to be in King George Square. So, if
you are going to bring back the city's fountains, then the LORD MAYOR needs
to look no further than outside his office window into King George Square. That
is why Rod Harding will make sure and release policy to ensure that this square
is returned to its former glory, a green heart for our city, leading to the people's
place, City Hall.
The LORD MAYOR misled the people of Brisbane and Council when, in his
budget speech, he stated that CitySmart has launched two new programs,
because all he did was simplify and rename existing programs. The
LORD MAYOR wants you to believe that he is expending an additional
$1 million on extra grass cutting. But the reality is he is just making up the
shortfall after awarding Brisbane's grass cutting contract to companies that
didn’t even own lawnmowers. If the LORD MAYOR can't get grass cut across
the city, what hope does he have of delivering parklands for the communities
that need it most?
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 69 The largest amphitheatre in the world, the Colosseum in Rome, took eight years
to build. I make this point because, 2,000 years later, and eight years after it was
announced, the LNP still hasn’t built the Karawatha Forest Environment Centre.
According to the LORD MAYOR's 2008-09 Budget document, “Key initiatives
to be delivered in the next four years include a ‘Karawatha Forest Environment
Centre’ in the bushland in Brisbane's south.” Let's make it clear: in 2008, the
LNP said it would be delivered within four years. Eight years later, and
countless rollover and complications later, this year, we finally might see the
last $4.6 million used to actually finish this environment centre.
Madam Chair, we all know that the Brisbane City Council is just a cash cow for
Brisbane Marketing. Brisbane Marketing and its board of directors and
highly-paid executives are now eating up to $20 million of Council's finances
each year. Despite their hefty pay cheques, they have done nothing to address
the fact that Brisbane CBD now has the highest vacancy rate of any capital city
in Australia. I am concerned that they think their recent $50,000 glossy brochure
was good use of Council's finances. Ask any resident what Brisbane Marketing
has done for them, and 99 per cent of the people would say nothing.
I worry the primary purpose of Brisbane Marketing is always to produce glossy
brochures with the ever-increasing colour photo of LORD MAYOR
Graham QUIRK. No wonder he has been suckered into agreeing to increase
their funding each and every year. In the 2012-13 Budget, Brisbane Marketing
pocketed $13 million from Council; by last year, that figure had climbed to
$23 million. This Council spends twice as much on Brisbane Marketing than all
the combined expenditure for our mosquito and pest services, public health
services and city cleansing.
Madam Chair, The Courier-Mail reported on 10 December last year that
Council's coffers were so bare that its finances could not handle the cost of
cleaning up from a previous storm event. The LORD MAYOR said, Council's
reserves were eaten away, and there were no disaster funds left to pay for cleanups. He also said that we have to pay for storm events somehow, and that money
doesn’t grow on trees.
The Courier-Mail editorial was scathing of this Council on that day. The
editorial comment was titled, “Lack of rainy day cash is a gross civic failure”. It
stated that Council was lacking in common sense for not having reserves to
handle our ever-increasing storm and flooding events. Criticism was directed at
LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK for wasting no time in telling households and
businesses to prepare for storms, but that he had clearly failed to take his own
advice. I quote from the editorial, “This is an extraordinary admission of failure
by our civic leaders—a failure to plan for storms that is so comprehensive that
the Brisbane City Council's coffers were empty less than a month into storm
season.”
What makes the situation worse is that the LORD MAYOR's political
soul-mate, Tony Abbott, is planning to slash the Natural Disaster Relief and
Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), which cuts this Council's ability to access
Federal Government funds at times of natural disasters. So, Madam Chair, with
the knowledge that the NDRRA funding is set to reduce, and that flooding and
storm events will continue to become more frequent, wouldn’t it be common
sense to prepare Council's finances for a rainy day?
Every Councillor in this place hopes and prays that the city doesn’t suffer from
future storm and flood events, but we all know it could. We need to boost
Council's financial reserves as a prudent insurance measure. Accordingly,
Madam Chair, I announce today that a future Rod Harding ALP Administration
will create a new financial reserve in the Council budget. It will be named the
Natural Disasters Reserve. Funds in the new reserve will accumulate up to
$30 million over time. It will act as a buffer against unexpected huge Council
expenditure for flood and storm clean-ups.
The editorial was spot on when it stated that Council has to balance the need to
ease cost of living pressures for Brisbane residents with a requirement to have
funds available for storm damage. But to not have enough money on hand to
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 70 cover damage from contingency of a storm and look immediately to slugging
households makes a mockery of this. The LNP cannot manage the city's
finances, so they put a greater strain on the living costs of all Brisbane's
residents.
Madam Chair, LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK is ignoring these warnings, but
Rod Harding and the Labor team are not. That is why the commencement of a
Natural Disasters Reserve will feature in the next Council budget delivered in
this Chamber by Rod Harding.
As I said at the outset, the Brisbane City Council budget should be the definitive
document to guide our city through the coming year and beyond. It should be a
document that paints a broad vision, lays out the roadmap and defines the way
forward for a vibrant, growing and sustainable Brisbane. It should care for the
needs of our residents and prepare for the needs of the future. This year it is
nothing more than a lacklustre budget designed to get a tired Administration reelected.
This is a LORD MAYOR who has simply stopped listening to the people who
elected him. But this comes as no surprise. This is exactly what you would
expect from someone who has been in Council for 30 years. He has simply been
in City Hall for far too long. That is why the people of Brisbane are looking for
change. A Lord Mayor who doesn’t come from the usual political background,
and that is Rod Harding. A lawyer, someone who has run their own small
business and who brings experience as a senior executive in Australia's largest
investment bank.
Madam Chair, the residents of Brisbane next year have the opportunity to make
a clear choice: a choice between another four years of LORD MAYOR
Graham QUIRK and the LNP, or the new energy of a Rod Harding Labor
Administration. Unless some new energy is injected into City Hall, residents
will continue to be ignored, basic services will continue to deteriorate, money
will continue to be wasted, and economic development of our city will continue
to slow down.
Our city needs an energetic Lord Mayor, someone with a passion and energy to
take Brisbane forward. As Lord Mayor, Rod's first priority will be getting the
basics right. The ratepayers of Brisbane are the boss, and they will always come
first. Our city deserves a bright future with Rod Harding as Lord Mayor,
someone who will deliver a budget Brisbane deserves.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor DICK.
REPLY BY THE CHAIRMAN OF FINANCE,
DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
ECONOMIC
Chairman:
I will now call on Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, the Chairman of the Finance,
Economic Development and Administration Committee, to respond.
Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. It obviously gives me great pleasure
to speak in support of LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK's 2015-16 Brisbane
City Council Budget, a budget that reconfirms our commitment to tackling
traffic congestion, provides an overall 12.3 per cent boost in funding for
frontline services in the suburbs, commits over $105 million in new ideas and
initiatives for a better Brisbane, and retains a focus on creating investment and
job opportunities for Brisbane Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and our
residents.
It is a budget that is balanced, designed to retain our strong credit rating and one
that keeps rates as low as possible. It is a budget that drives the ratepayers' dollar
further than ever before, thanks to strong commitment to sound financial
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 71 management by this Administration. It is sound financial management that
includes savings from major capital projects delivered under budget, savings in
interest costs from debt repayments, capital recycling from a toll leasing
concession, a revenue-generating future fund, and reduced back-of-house
expenditure. Every one of these initiatives Labor Councillors opposite have
spoken and voted against since the last election.
Madam Chairman, more effective than the hollow words of the Leader of the
Opposition's speech, the 2015-16 Budget actually demonstrates to Brisbane
residents this Administration's vision, responsible financial management and
commitment to our suburbs. What a commitment it is, Madam Chairman. The
2015-16 Budget continues the fight against traffic congestion with a significant
rolling program of major upgrades, including Kingsford Smith Drive,
Wynnum Road and the new four-laning of the Inner City Bypass (ICB).
It contains $125 million for suburban congestion busting improvements, such as
intersection upgrades and new bikeways. It increases ratepayers' subsidies for
bus and ferry operations to a record $114 million. It enhances frontline services
in the suburbs through initiatives like the Smoother Suburban Streets program
which will provide $100 million in road resurfacing across more than
380 suburban locations, as well as an 11 per cent increase on associated works
like kerb and channelling.
It delivers new initiatives like the City of Lights program, bringing back the
fountains, the new Mount Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre, and the
Edward Street upgrade. It keeps our foot to the floor when it comes to attracting
investment in jobs for SMEs and residents.
Yet, despite all of this, what is disappointing is that Labor has spent less time in
the last few days and this morning debating the merits of the budget than they
have spent discussing the length of tenure of the LORD MAYOR and this
Administration. Given the Leader of the Opposition's impending leap to Federal
politics, perhaps it is natural that he views time as the enemy. The reality is that
experience in leadership is vital for this role.
Let us look at the last 12 months. You need to be experienced in order to repair
$16 million in storm damage, the equivalent of a 2 per cent rise in rates without
impacting frontline services. You need experience in order to manage the
logistical challenge of your city hosting the most successful G20 Leaders
meeting ever held. You need to be experienced to complete the largest
infrastructure program to tackle congestion that this Council has ever seen in the
TransApex program, and to do it in a way that also delivers lower debt, lower
rates and more frontline services than the previous Labor Administration ever
did.
`
We know how effective the TransApex network is, because literally the
Councillors on the other side of the Chamber use it hundreds of times a year—
hundreds of times a year. The experience that LORD MAYOR QUIRK brings to
the city's leadership, rather than being a reason for Labor to scoff, is an
important reason why, along with the dedicated work of Council officers, the
Council has overcome these and other challenges in a successful, financially
sustainable way. Ultimately, Brisbane residents will judge this Administration
on our record of delivery, one that we are very happy to stand by.
While we are discussing the financial position of this Council, I acknowledge
that the 2015-16 Budget curtails the average rates increase to 2.5 per cent, or the
equivalent of 62 cents per week for owner-occupiers. This keeps the average
rates bill for Brisbane residents as the second lowest in the South East
Queensland region, and the third lowest of any Australian capital city. At 2.5 per
cent, the rates increase is lower than 10 of the 12 budgets delivered by the
previous Labor Administration, well below the four times Labor raised rates by
above 6 per cent, and of course is below the recent 3.5 per cent hike that the
Labor State Treasurer has instituted on rego.
Of course, this Administration is acutely aware of the cost of living pressures
that come with running a household budget. But also, we cannot retreat from
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 72 funding the infrastructure that this city needs to continue to grow. The
2015-16 Budget strikes an appropriate balance between those two.
Labor warns of higher rate increases if this Administration is re-elected. But we
have heard these dire predictions before. On 11 March 2014, Councillor DICK
predicted rates would increase by 5.9 per cent. This was his quote in the Council
Chamber, “You have budgeted a 5.9 per cent rates increase next year, which is
more than twice the inflation rate”, he said. Did rates rise by 5.9 per cent? Of
course not. Of course not. Not even close. But the previous year, he was just as
bad. He went on Channel 10 before the budget and stated that rates would be
increased by twice the CPI or 5 per cent. Did they increase by 5 per cent? No,
not even close.
The hysterical warnings of Labor held no credibility then, and they hold no
credibility now. Not only that, but the claims he makes about future rate rises
are based on totally debunked assumptions. This is Flessernomics at its absolute
best. Personally, it is good to see him not slipping into retirement without a
fight.
To simply work out the percentage increases in revenue from the forwards, as
Labor have done, and claim that that is a rates increase is to assume that there
will be no growth in property numbers between now and 2017-18, a total fiction
from start to finish. It is not the first time that Councillor FLESSER has tried to
get this up. It reminds me of that insurance ad with the charter boat. He is
wandering around going, “Growth, what growth? I don't see any property
growth”.
The bottom line is that if those opposite are ever given the financial reins of this
Council, rates will be higher. I know this not just based on their record of raising
rates above 6 per cent, but also because their current policy positions have left
them with no other choice. Since the last election, all of the Labor Councillors
have opposed new borrowings; they have opposed savings from debt reduction;
they have opposed back-of-house efficiencies; they have opposed capital
recycling from infrastructure; and they have opposed savings from completed
projects.
Even their long held desire to cash in CBIC the city's future fund, and use it as
their own private piggybank, must surely now be off the table, given the
Labor Party's firm stance against selling revenue-earning assets. In fact, to sell
off CBIC would also deny ratepayers a $20 million annual dividend, equivalent
of them raising rates by a further 2 per cent. So if they are true to their word,
Madam Chairman, the only remaining choice that they have in their arsenal to
fund commitments is to raise rates or cut frontline services.
While on rates, Labor's announcement that they would make an allocation in the
budget for unknown and unforeseeable disasters on the off chance that they
might occur would again only exacerbate their need to raise rates. Furthermore,
it would leave vital infrastructure projects on the waiting list, while $30 million
sits idle in a reserve, essentially in a tin on the shelf, Madam Chairman.
Councillor DICK mentioned category 20. Well, I can make this assurance to the
Chamber today, that no one who is on a rates remission, none of these religious
properties or not-for-profits that are currently receiving a remission will lose it.
There has been no change to that remissions policy. If you were grandfathered
under the 1992 remissions policy, you will continue to be grandfathered. If you
can comply with the remissions policy, you will get a remission. The point is
that some of these properties are no longer being used for religious reasons
anymore; they have sold them off. They have sold them off for residential
property developments. More than that, rather than simply re-rate them—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON!
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Well, I will tell you, Councillor SUTTON. Rather than simply re-rating these
properties to residential developments, this Administration is understanding
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 73 enough to say, we will put them in a category where we can make special
considerations for them.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
So, special considerations for them, so that these properties are not—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—unduly burdened. Madam Chairman, in addition, this budget also contains
two other important financial measures. Firstly, this budget completes a 47.8—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Just a moment, Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor DICK was heard in silence; surely you can extend the same courtesy.
Thank you.
Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Madam Chairman, in addition, this budget also contains two other important
financial measures. Firstly, the budget completes a 47.8 per cent reduction in net
debt per capita since the 2013-14 Budget. This will save ratepayers $330 million
in interest costs. The net debt per capita in this budget is now $1088, below any
figure the Labor Councillors opposite ever achieved in 13 years of Labor
Administration. We used to say that Brisbane residents can be assured of one
thing—that rates will be lower under this Administration than under Labor. But
now they can be sure of another—that debt is lower under this Administration
than under the Labor Councillors opposite.
Secondly, this budget continues our commitment to Australia's most generous
pensioner remission scheme, the only Council scheme that assists pensioners
with the water and sewerage costs. The 2.5 per cent increase in the rates
remission ceiling in this budget will assist every rate-paying pensioner across
our suburbs, a total of 17 per cent of the residential owner-occupier population.
This compares to Labor's record when they held the reins over this particular
scheme, when they callously cut the scheme's cap from $700 to $600, and then
kept it flat for seven years, while at the same time, those same seven years, they
raised rates on pensioners by a whopping 29.6 per cent.
This budget makes a mammoth commitment to continuing the fight against
traffic congestion. It contains a 2015-16 spend on reducing congestion of
$125 million; $49 million to undertake suburban road upgrades; $41.4 million to
commence construction on Kingsford Smith Drive, progress Wynnum Road and
the new ICB four-laning project; $10.4 million on major traffic improvements at
intersections and $5.9 million for the Congestion Reduction Unit.
That is only one side of the coin, isn't it? The other side is public transport. This
budget contains a record $114 million in 2015-16 to subsidise bus and ferry
operations; $45 million over four years for upgraded CityCat terminals;
$31 million to complete the $120 million promise on Better Bikeways for
Brisbane; $7.6 million this financial year to upgrade suburban bus stops; and
$5.2 million over three years to re-life the first generation CityCats. This record
$114 million to subsidise public transport is a 75 per cent increase on Labor's
paltry $65 million subsidy when they left office.
Labor may claim that they support public transport, but their record reads very
differently. When I do a side-by-side comparison of our last four years funding
public transport versus their last four years in Administration funding public
transport, it is shocking to discover the difference. Our spend on capital
improvements over the last four years has totalled $71.7 million, a 387 per cent
increase over the equivalent Labor spend of $14.7 million. Our subsidy for
public transport operations over the period has totalled $416 million, a 63 per
cent increase on Labor's subsidy of $254 million. Of course, we have purchased
300 new buses, almost double Labor's 157.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 74 They try to re-write history. It was this Administration who fought to take over
the bus review which previously contained far more cuts, far more route cuts,
than what this Administration eventually looked at. We looked at routes which
were carrying less than five people. What was the result? An increase in
patronage. That is why only this Administration can lay claim to being the best
friend that public transport users have ever had.
Labor Councillors will object to this comparison. They will say it is unfair; they
should be judged on their future policies, not their previous poor record of
delivery.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Okay, well, regardless of that, I know we haven’t seen any alternative policies
for three-and-a-half years; the really scary thing, DEPUTY MAYOR, is
how they plan to fund it. It was Councillor ABRAHAMS, their very own
Deputy Leader, who let the cat out of the bag, because their solution to funding
public transport is a cordon toll, a congestion tax. It was a big secret.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
They were trying really hard to suppress this.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
The Leader of the Opposition even denied in this very Chamber early in the
year, saying point blank, “Labor Councillors sitting in this Chamber do not
support a congestion tax”. That is what he said. But the person sitting next to
him, just like the carbon tax the Labor Party wasn’t going to introduce before
the 2012 election which they then did, we then had the Deputy Leader
contribute to a book published just very recently titled Decongestion. Here it is,
to make sure I am getting it right.
Under a section titled, “Opinions from Mayors, industry leaders, academics,
residents and others”, on page 34, Councillor ABRAHAMS says this—and I am
going to read it to you, “To introduce a”—well, she has a spelling mistake here,
so it wouldn’t be a Councillor ABRAHAMS quote without a spelling mistake,
“To introduce a cordon toll is the way to go”. Those are her words. It gets better,
“With real incentives to use public transport introduced at the same time, the
two must be seen as a single package”. There is the key, Madam Chairman, a
single package. It gets even better, because she offers another opinion, and I will
quote here, “The love affair”—because I couldn’t make this up—“The love
affair with our cars must be broken. The community is being given the message
that self-independence is desirable”. Oh, shock, horror, Madam Chairman.
She goes on, ‘The community is being given the message that self-independence
is desirable. The sexual prowess message persists as well. Both these messages
are perpetuating the dominance of the car-based transport’. Madam Chairman
that would make Sigmund Freud's head spin. That is truly bizarre, but that is the
Deputy Leader of the Opposition. So, Madam Chairman—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—future leader—perhaps the future leader. So, Madam Chairman, the residents
of Brisbane now know, that if you need to use your car to travel, whether it be
due to work, family or accessibility reasons, any future Labor Administration
made up with these Councillors plan to toll you when you are driving. The
residents now know that any promises Labor make to fund public transport
come, and I quote, “as a single package”, with a new cordon tax, whether you
have a choice to use your car or not.
We heard the same tired lines coming from Labor regarding revenue from
parking. Just to be clear, we would much rather see people obey the parking
rules and turn over finite spaces to support local residents and businesses than
we would collect fines. In fact, revenue from parking fines is currently trending
under the anticipated 2014-15 Budget as people benefit from the
recommendations already reduced as part of the Parking Taskforce, including
the 15-minute free period and better signage.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 75 The commitment in the 2015-16 Budget to roll out a further $3.4 million in
taskforce recommendations is a further win for motorists. Labor's response to
this initiative showed that again they are not across the detail. Their
inexperienced spokesman criticised the proposed app as a distraction to drivers
when in fact the app is to allow motorists to book a space before they leave or
top up their meter away from their car. But if Labor are really concerned that if
this app was a distraction to motorists, don't worry, there's an app for that. They
can get an app to disable all the other apps on their phones, and I commend it to
them.
Labor has tried incorrectly to categorise this budget as one of re-announcements.
This is yet another example of the hypocrisy which is now rampant in their
ranks. Consider their three major policy contributions to the debate so far have
been these: a policy to fly economy class on overseas travel; a re-announcement
of a 23-year-old policy they took to the 1992 election before they promptly
broke it the next year; a policy to redesign King George Square—a reannouncement of a promise they took to the last Council election despite Labor
Cabinet
members
at
the
time,
Councillor FLESSER
and
Councillor ABRAHAMS voting in support of the current design; and a policy
on
the
Kangaroo
Point
bridge—a
re-announcement
of
a
Labor State Government policy from 2007. That has been their contribution so
far.
You can always tell when Labor have written their lines before they have
actually read the details in the budget, because this budget contains millions of
new money and new projects, including the four-laning of the Inner City
Bypass, Edward Street, the Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre, bringing
back fountains artwork on public infrastructure, and a rollout of CBD lighting.
It also includes $188,000 in new money for extra suburban festivals. At least
one Labor Councillor, Councillor ABRAHAMS, noticed the funding, and was
very quick to tweet her support of the new festival that is funded in her ward. On
the other hand, Labor's inexperienced spokesman was quick to tweet that there
was no investment for safety lighting for our suburban parks, obviously before
he had read through to the schedules where it contains 12 individually itemised
safety lighting projects in suburban parks.
Brisbane residents can trust that, under the watchful eye and hands-on
management of this Administration, our new and existing commitments will be
delivered as they always have been. Don't take my word for it,
Madam Chairman. You can see the progress for yourself in this financial year.
Open up page 8 of the 2015-16 Budget documents and have a look at the
financial statements. In the 2014-15 year, our spend on materials and services is
tracking at $1.68 billion. That is $30 million up on the planned spend that we
published at the start of the year.
Look at this year's spend in the budget book again for 2014-15, our capital spend
is tracking at $ 1.000395 billion—that is $2.4 million above the planned spend
we published at the start of the year. So while this Administration is getting on
with the job and over-delivering, it compares starkly with the Labor Councillors
opposite, when they were last in Administration, who carried over 16.25 per
cent of their capital budget.
When we do reconsider our priorities, Madam Chairman, we are upfront with
the people of Brisbane about it. Much has been made by Labor about the
decision not to include immediate funding for the Kangaroo Point pedestrian
bridge in the 2015-16 budget. This is despite the fact that only 12 months ago,
Councillor DICK was in this very Chamber opposing this inner-city pedestrian
bridge, and he said, “Brisbane City Council can't afford these projects without
accruing more debt or increasing rates and charges”, which I can only assume is
what they will be doing to fund their promise.
As the LORD MAYOR said on Wednesday, this is a project that we continue to
believe has merit, and that remains in our City Centre Master Plan. In fact, of
the other five City Centre Master Plan priority projects, one is completed this
financial year, two others are being fully funded by Council in this budget, the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 76 Queens Wharf precinct is being progressed by the State Government, and the
fifth is, of course, the Buses and Trains (BaT) tunnel, scrapped completely by
the Labor State Government.
So it is clear that an iconic structure of this nature would cost ratepayers around
$120 million potentially more. Instead, in this budget, we have made the
responsible decision to bring that money forward and spend it on enhanced
frontline services in the suburbs. Now that Labor has renewed its promise to
fast-track the pedestrian bridge, no doubt at Councillor ABRAHAMS’ behest
again, they need to reveal which suburban projects—which frontline services
they intend to cut in order to pay for this inner-city commitment.
I would just like to make mention of some of those frontline services that benefit
from the LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Budget. We pride ourselves on being
Australia's most sustainable city, as recognised by Keep Australia Beautiful
Foundation. In this budget, we are maintaining our emphasis on rehabilitating
bushland and green space. With $13.8 million for new bushland acquisitions,
$4.3 million on conservation reserves management, $2.9 million on
Wipe-Out Weeds, and continuing the Lord Mayor's Sustainability Grants and
the Native Animal Ambulance program.
We will increase expenditure for local drainage construction by 11 per cent, and
by 2.5 per cent for major drainage construction works. No one can accuse this
Administration of being more committed to informing residents about flooding
than we are. Rather than hiding behind closed door reports, locked up in secret
as the previous Labor Councillors did, we have a very open and transparent
system to show residents their flooding risk. We have spent millions of dollars
over the last couple of years on both this system and the recommendations of the
flood commission.
$20 million has been allocated for suburban cleansing initiatives such as street
cleaning, road sweeping and gum removal vehicles. A total of $168.2 million
this financial year will be spent on maintenance and enhancement of suburban
parks, gardens and recreation, including increasing the annual grass cuts in parks
from 17 to 19.
The 2015-16 Budget provides over $72 million to manage Brisbane's growth.
Managing growth is a responsibility that I know the LORD MAYOR and this
Administration takes incredibly seriously. It was only an LNP Administration
who provided residents the opportunity to have their say through the CityShape
and the neighbourhood planning process, with a further $2.1 million in funding
in this budget.
As part of a suite of measures, this budget also provides $371,000 to assist
residents to maintain heritage listed homes, and a new annual allocation of
$400,000 for a team of dedicated Council officers who will form the new
Suburban Construction Management team. Their brief will be to respond
quickly and effectively to complaints from residents where construction work is
occurring in breach of the rules such as out of hours.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
In addition, we will spend every cent of the infrastructure charges we receive on
new capital improvements for our suburbs, and then a lot more. This year,
Council will spend $168.4 million on parks with infrastructure charges
accounting for just approximately 15 per cent. Council will spend
$100.8 million on drainage infrastructure, with infrastructure charges accounting
for just approximately 15 per cent. Council will spend a whopping
$354.9 million on capital transport improvements with infrastructure charges
accounting for just approximately 12 per cent.
Madam Chairman, the LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Budget includes a total spend
of $18 million to enhance Access and Inclusion across the city, something we
remain incredibly dedicated to. A further $59.2 million on a modern, well-
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 77 resourced library network, including $3.9 million for library refurbishments and
enhancements.
There is $3.8 million in funding to support Brisbane's festivals; $4.2 million in
direct grants that were election commitments of this Administration to
community groups, not-for-profits and schools. In addition, we continue the
infrastructure charges reduction program to strongly support our community
organisations. In 2014-15, this financial year, so far there have been 19 subsidies
provided totalling over $396,000 to enable sporting clubs and other community
organisations to get on with upgrading their facilities.
There is also $1.3 million allocated to increase engagement with young people
through initiatives such as the Valley's Visible Ink and Wynnum Youth Hub,
and an extra $1 million annually for traineeships and work experience
opportunities in Council to give young people's career the kick-start that it
needs. Of course, the Karawatha Environment Centre is under construction and
will be completed.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
In order to continue to attract investment and create jobs in the city, the
2015-16 Budget increases funding for supporting Brisbane businesses and
implementing the Brisbane Vision 2022 Report. Labor has dismissed the
Vision 2022 Report out of hand. But in doing so, they have forgotten that the
recommendations and the funding that goes to seeing those recommendations
through were decided by over 1,000 local business leaders brought together by
the LORD MAYOR's Economic Development Steering Committee. The
challenges, like CBD vacancy rates, is exactly what the action plan is there to
help address.
As per the recommendations of Brisbane businesses, we will continue to
highlight Brisbane within the Asia Pacific region, fund the very successful
Business Hotline, deliver a $1.6 million support package for SMEs, spend
$3.2 million fostering key growth sectors of our economy, and provide more
open data opportunities to encourage innovation and enhance our existing status
as the most transparent Administration this Council has ever seen.
So, Madam Chairman, in conclusion, I commend the LORD MAYOR's
2015-16 Budget for providing a vision that reconfirms this Administration's
commitment to tackling traffic congestion, boost funding for frontline services
in the suburbs, commits to new ideas and initiatives for a better Brisbane, and
retains a focus on creating investment and job opportunities. I commend the
budget for achieving all of these things while relying on sound financial
management to strengthen the overall financial position of ratepayers.
Can I just thank again all the officers who assisted in the creation of this
document, especially the hard-working team under Greg Evans. Our
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)—Paul Oberle, Mark Russell and Tanya Neish
have worked incredibly hard on it. Madam Chairman, I commend the budget to
the Chamber.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
LORD MAYOR.
LORD MAYOR:
Yes, thanks, Madam Chair—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Sorry, my apologies, your Honour. I did make it to the session this morning, and
I understand an apology was moved for me.
Chairman:
Yes.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
But, either a motion or would you allow a correction to the Minutes to reflect
my attendance?
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 78 Chairman:
No, Councillor JOHNSTON, you advised me late last night that you would not
be attending this session and accordingly, so that the records are correct, I
arranged for an apology to be put in for you. Thank you.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Okay, so I can't move that that apology is withdrawn as I am now present?
Chairman:
No, Councillor JOHNSTON, you weren't here for about 95 per cent of the
session. Thank you.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Well, Madam Chairman, neither is the LORD MAYOR at most meetings—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
LORD MAYOR.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS:
682/2014-15
At that time, 10.08am, it was resolved on the motion of the LORD MAYOR, seconded by the
DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, that the meeting adjourn until 9am on 24 June 2015, to
allow for Program Information Sessions to be held today and on Monday 22 June 2015 on the Budget
Programs.
Chairman:
This meeting now stands adjourned until 9am, Wednesday 24 June 2015. The
first program information sessions will commence at 11am today for Your
Brisbane in the Council Chamber and City Governance in the Balmoral Room.
The schedule for the information sessions was as follows:
BUDGET INFORMATION SESSIONS – 2015-16
Program
Your Brisbane
Venue
(City Hall, Adelaide Street,
Brisbane)
Council Chamber, Level 1
City Governance
Balmoral Suites, Level 1
Moving Brisbane
(including Brisbane Transport and City
Projects Office)
Future Brisbane
Balmoral Suites, Level 1
Clean, Green and WaterSmart City
(including Field Services Group)
Customer Focus
Council Chamber, Level 1
Economic Development
Council Chamber, Level 1
Public Health and Safety
Balmoral Suites, Level 1
Council Chamber, Level 1
Balmoral Suites, Level 1
Date and time
Friday 19 June 2015
11am – 2pm
Friday 19 June 2015
11am – 2pm
Friday 19 June 2015
2.30pm – 5.30pm
Friday 19 June 2015
2.30pm – 5.30pm
Monday 22 June 2015
9am – 12pm
Monday 22 June 2015
9am – 12pm
Monday 22 June 2015
12.30pm – 3.30pm
Monday 22 June 2015
12.30pm – 3.30pm
UPON RESUMPTION:
THIRD DAY – Wednesday, 24 June 2015
PRESENT:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNP
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT (Pullenvale Ward) – LNP
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 79 -
LNP Councillors (and Wards)
Krista ADAMS (Wishart)
Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)
Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)
Vicki HOWARD (Central)
Steven HUANG (Macgregor)
Fiona KING (Marchant)
Geraldine KNAPP (The Gap)
Kim MARX (Karawatha)
Peter MATIC (Toowong)
Ian McKENZIE (Holland Park)
David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)
Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR (Parkinson) (Deputy
Chairman of Council)
Adrian SCHRINNER (Chandler) (Deputy Mayor)
Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor)
Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)
Andrew WINES (Enoggera)
ALP Councillors (and Wards)
Milton DICK (Richlands) (The Leader of the
Opposition)
Helen ABRAHAMS (The Gabba) (Deputy Leader of
the Opposition)
Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly)
Kim FLESSER (Northgate)
Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)
Victoria NEWTON (Deagon)
Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)
Independent Councillor (and Ward)
Nicole JOHNSTON (Tennyson)
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT, declared the adjourned meeting open and called for
apologies.
RESUMPTION OF DEBATE ON THE 2015-16 BUDGET:
The Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, declared the adjourned meeting open and continued as follows.
The Chairman then called on the Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK), to move
the motion for the consideration of the Budgeted Financial Statements.
683/2014-15
The LORD MAYOR subsequently moved, seconded by the DEPUTY MAYOR:
“That the Annual Plan and Budgeted Financial Statements, including the Budgeted Summary of
Recommendations, the Budgeted Statement of Comprehensive Income (income and expenditure), the Budgeted
Statement of Financial Position, the Budgeted Statement of Cash Flows, the Budgeted Statement of Changes in
Equity, the Budgeted Summary of Recommendations – Long Term Financial Forecast and the Budgeted
Statement of Financial Ratios as outlined on pages 7 to 14 and the Revenue Policy and Revenue Statement as
outlined on pages 202 to 215 be noted for later debate and adoption.”
Upon being submitted to the Chamber, the motion was declared carried on the voices.
PROGRAM PRESENTATION
Next, the Chairman advised Councillors that the presentation of the various Programs and Businesses and
Council Providers would be in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 74 of the Meetings Local Law 2001. She also
pointed out that she had approved the Chief Executive Officer’s request for Divisional Managers and other
pertinent officers to be in the Chamber whilst the Program or Businesses and Council Providers for which their
particular Unit of Administration was responsible, was being debated.
The Chairman then called upon Councillor Matthew BOURKE to present the Clean, Green and WaterSmart
City program.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 80 -
1. CLEAN, GREEN AND WATERSMART CITY PROGRAM:
684/2014-15
Councillor Matthew BOURKE, Chairman of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee moved,
seconded by Councillor Fiona KING, that for the services of the Council, the allocations for the Operations and
the Projects for the year 2015-16 and the Rolling Recurrent Operations Contracts and the Rolling Projects for
the Sustainable, Green and Clean City program as contained on pages 145 to 154, so far as they relate to
Program 1, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor BOURKE:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I rise today as the Chairman for
Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee to present the program for
Program 1 as part of the LORD MAYOR's Annual Budget 2015-16 to the
Chamber. Specifically, I am here to present the projects that sit under service 1.1
through to service 1.8 of the program.
Over the last three years, I have had the honour of presenting three Program 1
budgets that have focused on delivering new projects, enhancing our parks and
great open spaces, maintaining the same high level of service despite
challenging economic times, and most importantly, delivering on the
commitments that this Administration made to the residents of Brisbane. I am
pleased to say that the 2015-16 Budget continues to deliver for the residents of
Brisbane.
Our focus on making Brisbane a Clean, Green and WaterSmart City has been
clear for all to see. As the LORD MAYOR mentioned in his budget speech,
Keep Australia Beautiful last year named Brisbane Australia's most sustainable
city. The 2015-16 Budget for projects and services in Program 1 will reinforce
Brisbane's status as Australia's most sustainable city. Over the last three years,
Council has been able to deliver key projects that we have committed to the
people of Brisbane, and we will continue to deliver on those commitments for
all residents of Brisbane.
As a leader in sustainability, in the 2015-16 Budget, Council will continue its
commitment to purchasing 100 per cent green power and fully offset our carbon
emissions. These two programs and these two projects will see our carbon
emissions continue to be reduced. But this Administration has tackled the issue
of sustainability with a multi-pronged approach, one of engagement, education
and practical on-the-ground projects.
As such, Council has increased the funding for GreenHeart sustainability events,
and is also delivering the new Live for Less program. This budget will see
Council and CitySmart launch the Live for Less program which will aim at
helping households across Brisbane save on their cost of living by better
managing their water, their waste, energy, and active transport.
The LORD MAYOR and this Administration have recognised the huge cost of
living burdens everyday Australians face. This is why the comments from the
Leader of the Opposition last week in his budget reply speech about Live for
Less being a rebranded program were disappointing. His whole rhetoric last
week just goes to show that those opposite have no plan for sustainability, and
no plan for tackling the cost of living burdens of Brisbane's residents. Programs
such as Live for Less and Reduce your Juice will have a real positive impact on
the everyday lives of residents and businesses.
Unlike those sitting opposite, those on this side of the Chamber understand the
struggle residents face, and that is why we continue to support CitySmart, our
environmental agency which drives partnerships between Brisbane and
businesses and the Council so that Australia and, indeed, Brisbane become more
sustainable. I welcome the additional investment that the LORD MAYOR has
made into this program.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 81 I know that you, Madam Chairman, as well as Councillors on this side of the
Chamber, are huge supporters of the Student Environment Leadership Network,
or SELN, which is funded through the GreenHeart Homes and Schools program.
SELN provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop and lead
behaviour changing projects in their schools and local communities. As part of
the schools program, SELN is an invaluable asset for students and for this
Council, and we are proud of our continuing support for this program in this
year's budget.
Our parks and open spaces, the climate and the green leafy suburbs are what
make Brisbane such a great place to live. Improving and activating our parks is
something that we on this side of the Chamber are committed to. In 2012, as part
of the LORD MAYOR's commitment to making Brisbane a more inclusive and
accessible city, we made a commitment to the people of Brisbane to make a new
CBD all-abilities playground. That has been delivered. We made a commitment
to build both the Karawatha Environment Centre and the Pooh Corner
Environment Centre. Well, the Pooh Corner Environment Centre has been
delivered, and the Karawatha Environment Centre is under construction, and
will be delivered this financial year.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor BOURKE:
In November last year, we completed Frew Park, as well as—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor BOURKE:
—stage 2 of the White's Hill Reserve all-abilities playground. To build on this
good work, this budget will see more improvements in our parks being delivered
through the Metropolitan and District Playgrounds Schedule, the Parks Access
and Maintenance Rehabilitation Schedule, the Parks Infrastructure Facility and
Landscape Upgrade Schedule, the PlaySafe Upgrade Schedule, and the Upgrade
Neighbourhood Parks Schedule.
As you are aware, Madam Chairman, our metro and district parks playgrounds
are important as they serve a role as our largest and most iconic parks in our
suburbs. As such, this year we will see investments in William Street Park with
a new dog off-leash area, as well as a kids' bike learning track in the Karawatha
Ward; installation of shade sails as well as an upgrade of the old playground in
Seventh Brigade Park in Marchant Ward; the addition of all-abilities elements in
Decker Park in Deagon Ward; the completion of the Bacton Road playground in
Chandler Ward; and we will commence the planning for the Walton Bridge
Reserve in The Gap, just to name a few.
The Upgrade Neighbourhood Parks Schedule will see a host of projects
delivered across the city, including locations like Colmslie Beach,
George Clayton Park in Wynnum, Keperra Picnic Grounds in Ferny Grove, the
Common Park in Coorparoo, Gowan Road Park in Calamvale, Tonk Street Park
in Moorooka, Orleigh Park in West End, to name a few, and those works will be
completed this financial year.
These projects cover a range of different activities from playground upgrades,
pathway improvements, new toilet blocks, barbeque shelter additions, car park
upgrades, and lighting projects. While those opposite are happy to spend
$120 million in the city in Councillor ABRAHAMS's ward, this
LORD MAYOR has recognised that investment in the suburbs is paramount
importance. That is why 95 per cent of the projects coming out of these
schedules will be spent in the suburbs. All up, 144 projects in these schedules
will be delivered in this year's budget. That is an increase of 35 projects from
last year, and proof that this Administration is delivering projects that matter for
the residents of Brisbane.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 82 As announced in the LORD MAYOR's budget speech, we will be bringing back
fountains to the City of Brisbane. Unfortunately, they were a casualty of past
droughts. Fountains were turned off as part of the level 2 water restrictions that
came into effect in 2005 when the dam levels dropped to 40 per cent. This was
the responsible thing to do at the time. However, the time has come for us to
reactivate these great features in our parks and CBD. Operating fountains
currently grace the city in Anzac Square, the Queen Street Mall, South Bank
Parklands, Roma Street Parkland, as well as the City Botanic Gardens.
In this budget, over $2 million has been allocated towards bringing back the
fountain in E.E. McCormick Place in Upper Roma Street, Emma Miller Place in
Roma Street, and the Moonee Memorial Fountain located at the corner of Queen
and Eagle Streets. This allocation will also see the commissioning of a new
location in the CBD. While designs are yet to be finalised, these new generation
water smart fountains and water features will incorporate their own water
storage, making it less likely that in a future drought event they will need to be
turned off. This is the most responsible and sustainable approach to take.
In this year's budget, again in partnership with the State Government, Council
continues its support of the Anzac Square Restoration Project. Just a couple of
months ago, we saw the completion of stage 2 of the Anzac Square Restoration
Project in time for the commemoration of the centenary of the Anzac landings.
In this year's budget, stage 3, the internal fit-out of the crypt, the former RSL
offices, and the Shrine of Remembrance, will be completed in conjunction with
the State Government.
Protecting and preserving our bushland and natural areas for future generations
is an ideal that this Council has believed in since the Atkinson Administration
implemented the Bushland Acquisition Levy back in 1990. In the last seven
years, Council has purchased more than 800 hectares of at-risk bushland across
the city. Many of these purchases have played a huge role in connecting vital
habitat corridors for some of our most endangered animals and plants. I am
pleased to see an ongoing allocation in this year's budget of $13.8 million for the
continuation of this program.
However, purchasing these parcels of land is not enough. We must also work as
a Council with the many volunteer groups and organisations that help restore
our bushland areas. These groups are supported again in this year's budget with
allocations towards the Habitat Brisbane program, the Creek Catchment
Coordinators program, as well as Council's Community Conservation
Assistance grants and the Lord Mayor's Sustainability and Environment grants.
The vital work carried out by these organisations further enhance the rich
investment that has been made through the $2.9 million Wipe Out Weeds
program where Council targets invasive plant species in some of our most biodiverse bushland areas.
Further to that, we have also maintained our allocation to removing feral animal
species from our bushland and urban areas with great results over the last two
years following a significant increase in investment. This program will continue
to provide valuable support and assistance to residents on acreage properties
who may be experiencing problems with wild dogs, feral deer and feral pigs,
and also to the suburban residents who may be encountering feral cats and feral
foxes. As always, I would encourage all residents to contact Council when they
see one of these animals.
Madam Chairman, Mt Coot-tha has not only been an important environmental
icon; it has and continues to be an important cultural icon, not only for the
residents of Brisbane but for the traditional indigenous custodians of our land. It
is Brisbane's largest natural area with more than 1600 hectares of open eucalypt
forest and rainforest gullies and creek vines. Approximately 370 wildlife species
and 450 native plants occur in the Mt Coot-tha Forest, including a number of
rare and threatened species. Of course, it is home to our second largest tourist
attraction, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 83 That is why this Administration has committed funding to build the new
Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre. The Visitor Information Centre will act
as a gateway to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, the Planetarium, and the wider
Mt Coot-tha precinct. It will also act as a meeting and information point, and
provide a much-needed hub for our dedicated volunteer guides at Mt Coot-tha. I
want to take this moment to pay tribute to the guides who work at Mt Coot-tha
and, indeed, across all of our botanic gardens, and look forward to working with
them on this exciting project.
Furthermore, Madam Chairman, enhancements at Mt Coot-tha Reserve have
been funded which will include $242,000 for multi-use access tracks that will
connect JC Slaughter Falls, Hoop Pine Picnic Ground, Silky Oak Picnic Ground
and Simpson Falls, while $42,000 will go towards upgrading pedestrian access
through the car park area to improve safety, as well as upgrades to the picnic
facilities at JC Slaughter Falls and Simpson Falls. Mt Coot-tha Reserve offers an
extensive network of diverse tracks and trails to cater for all forms of naturebased recreation.
This Administration has a clear record when it comes to flooding and drainage
works. Unlike those opposite who did not commit one cent to backflow devices
in 2012, this Administration has been able to fast-track the backflow installation
program to deliver 12 locations that will see 80 per cent of the flood-affected
properties from the 2011 event protected from future river flooding. But, of
course, our commitment to flood mitigation has not ended. It is disappointing
when we sit here and listen to those opposite claim that we are reducing funding
for flood investigations. Since 2011, we have completed three catchment flood
plain management draft studies—the North Bayside Catchment, the Northern
Catchments and the South Bayside Catchment.
We have completed 13 creek flood studies, and they are Albany Creek,
Breakfast Creek, Brighton Creek, Cabbage Tree Creek, Norman Creek, Oxley
Creek, Stable Swamp Creek, Wynnum Creek, Bald Hills Creek, Bulimba Creek,
Hemmant/Lytton Creek, Kedron Brook and Lota. The largest catchments in our
city have all got a flood study. There are four further studies that are awaiting
finalisation: the Rocky Waterholes, Sheep Station Gully, Tingalpa Creek and
Nundah Creek. In this year's budget, in 1.7.1.2 and 1.7.1.3, we will deliver four
more studies, in Paring Creek, Moggill Creek, a joint study with Moreton Bay
Regional Council for the Pine River, as well as a creek catchment flood plain
management plan for Tingalpa Creek.
Of course, we are also working with the State Government on the Brisbane
River flood plain management. When this Administration talks about
committing to mitigating flooding, we actually deliver. Our studies are made
public; they do not sit on the back shelf for four years like those under the
Australian Labor Party did. It is a classic case of look at what they do rather than
what they say.
Just to eliminate all doubt for those opposite in the Labor Party, the 2015-16
Budget sees an 11 per cent increase in funding for local drainage, and a 2.5 per
cent increase for major drainage work.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
All up, 27 projects will be delivered this financial year, up from 22 projects last
financial year.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor BOURKE:
On top of this, we continue our support for the Voluntary Home Purchase
Scheme, a scheme that was introduced by the previous Lord Mayor,
Campbell Newman, and continued under this LORD MAYOR,
Graham QUIRK. This budget is all about building on the existing commitments
this Administration has made to the residents of Brisbane.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 84 The measures we are taking, and the projects we are delivering, will continue to
activate our parks and open spaces; they will continue to deliver on important
flood mitigation outcomes; they will continue to make Brisbane a clean, green
and sustainable city, but most importantly, Madam Chairman, they will continue
to deliver for the residents of Brisbane. I commend Program 1 to the Chamber.
Chairman:
I will now call on Councillor McLACHLAN, as the secondary Chairman—and
just a reminder, secondary Chairmen have 10 minutes.
Thank you, Councillor McLACHLAN.
Councillor McLACHLAN:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; I rise to speak to the elements of Program 1 for
which I have responsibility as outlined in the budget book at 1.9 Managing and
Reducing Brisbane's Waste and Litter. I am pleased that this budget continues to
increase investment in our high standard award-winning waste and recycling
systems in Brisbane.
Waste management is a service largely undertaken out of sight and in the
background, and I am sure there are still people who believe that there is a team
of garbos hanging off the back of moving trucks, jumping down and swinging
the contents of bins into its back. In reality, at least here in Brisbane, waste
management and resource recovery is a series of efficient services performed
quickly and quietly wherever possible.
I am proud as the Chairman responsible for this service area that Brisbane's
waste and resource recovery activities set a shining example in Australia for
their efficiency and high standards of delivery, award-winning at every level of
operation, and the benchmark against which other services in other cities are
judged.
Managing waste and litter in a city the size of ours is hugely important. It is also
challenging, and requires ongoing innovation and investment in continuous
improvement to ensure we uphold the community standards and wherever
feasible deliver new, cleaner, greener technologies. Managing and reducing
Brisbane's waste and litter is absolutely a key element of achieving the Program
1 objectives of a Clean, Green and WaterSmart City.
Managing the city's waste streams and the infrastructure required for keeping
our streets and parks and gardens clean are crucial elements of our New World
City status. There are plenty of growing cities that do not get waste management
right, and literally drown in their own garbage. We have planned for an
investment in the 2015-16 Budget of over $355 million in delivering a city
where more people want to come and live, a cleaner, greener, water-smart city.
It is a testament to the importance of waste management that major investments
out of this budget include $121.7 million in operating funds for waste
management and recycling, including city cleansing. That is a big investment,
and there is even more funding than this, with additional project funding and
absolutely crucial services that are provided and we will continue to provide and
improve in the coming years.
Residents keep on telling us in their feedback that they like the convenience of
the household rubbish collection services that we provide, now including three
different categories of bins for general waste, green waste and recycling. We
have now got almost 22,000 of our larger 340-litre recycling bins in circulation
in Brisbane, which is a great outcome for helping to increase our recycling rates
and to reduce the amount of material that goes to landfill. We will be working to
make sure that more of these recycling bins are adopted and more people know
about our recycling services so that we will continue to divert materials from
landfill.
We are working to see recycling and recovery rates continue to improve in
2015-16, and we can do this with confidence, because the right resources and
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 85 the right investments are being made by this Administration in this budget. The
budget investment of $2.1 million this year will produce another great outcome
for increased recycling in the delivery of the Ferny Grove and Nudgee Resource
Recovery Centres that will complement our existing free recycling centres at
Willawong and Chandler, increasing resource recovery, growing revenue
through our tip shops and supporting the Endeavour Foundation, and completing
the commitment of the LORD MAYOR to turn our transfer stations into fully
fledged resource recovery centres in the term of this Administration.
This year's budget also continues support for operation of our tip shops with an
investment of just over $1 million. There is an increased budget here under
Program 1.9 to keep growing our green bin household green waste collection
service, which is now being used by more than 69,500 Brisbane households to
dispose of their lawn and tree clippings from the yards. This is a service that has
been growing at an average rate of 35 bins per day since its inception, and in the
current financial year it is expected to do similar numbers, a little bit more in the
coming financial year, of 18,000 tonnes of green waste kept out of landfill. This
is an expanding service we are very proud to be able to provide.
Team QUIRK's 2015-16 Budget continues the popular annual kerbside large
item collection service. Again this year we will undertake some 300,000
kerbside pickups which will be rostered, promoted and undertaken with an
investment of $6.2 million. Council encourages residents wherever possible to
recycle or reuse their no-longer needed household items by linking with
charities like Give It or taking them to one of our resource recovery centres so
that they can go to our tip shops and benefit the Endeavour Foundation. But we
provide this annual kerbside collection service for residents, and happy to do so
under this budget in 2015-16 for those items that cannot be diverted to re-use
through those systems.
We will continue to operate the very efficient and well managed landfill at
Rochedale, and the budget allows funding for the continued operation of this
facility, a facility that is operating at world's best practice. While we do our best
to cut down on materials going to landfill, and we have had considerable success
in doing so with a 13 per cent per capita reduction in waste to landfill since
2008, landfill operations do remain necessary and provide us with a place to
dispose of the household waste that cannot be recycled or reused.
This budget allows us to continue other vital Council services, including the
hazardous waste collection services, the dead animal collection service, the park
and footpath bin collections, the end processing of green waste and recycling,
and the requirements for essential items like wheelie bins to be supplied and
serviced or repaired or replaced.
Our current waste management contracts for collection, management of transfer
stations, resource recovery centres and for things like the bulk bin green waste
and recycling management, these contracts will expire in 2018. That is why we
put aside funds in this budget to make sure that we can progress all requirements
for the management of the new contracts, the due diligence and any negotiations
that will be required to make sure that these core contracts, these essential
contracts, are delivered ready for the start of the new contracts in 2018.
It is important that we are properly prepared to do those new contracts, because
Brisbane has the biggest contracts for waste management in Australia. We pick
up over 30 million bins under the collection contracts every year, and this is the
core of the services that are offered by the Field Services Branch and by
Brisbane City Council in the area of waste management.
On that point, Madam Chairman, I would like to thank not just our dedicated
officers in the Field Services Waste and Resource Recovery area, but also our
efficient and hard-working contractors who together do such an excellent job in
managing the city's waste. It is testament to their work that last year was
awarded the Keep Australia Beautiful Australian Sustainable Cities Award, and
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 86 we won other Keep Australia Beautiful category awards such as the Dame
Phyllis Frost Litter Prevention Award and the Energy Innovation Award, all
important elements of Program 1.
We are also consistently the biggest recycler of mobile phones in the nation, and
proud of those achievements. These awards were picked up at the Alga
Conference last week for the top collector of Queensland and Australia. Other
awards that our waste team are looking to win in the current financial year
include awards under the Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo Innovation
Award who are very keen to see the benefits that have derived from our
Brisbane Bin and Recycling app, and also to see if there is any opportunity to
expand elsewhere in Australia the very successful and innovative recycling art
competition for 2014-15 which was a great innovation, again drawing attention
to the needs of recycling, reuse and not sending materials to landfill.
Madam Chairman, I would just like to conclude on those points as my time is
about to expire. This is a crucial service for the benefit of Brisbane, for keeping
Brisbane clean and green. This is a crucial service. It does not get much
attention from the Opposition, we know; not a word spoken in the Leader of the
Opposition's speech; two questions to me during the budget information session.
But I do commend this particular service, 1.9, to the Chamber and I commend
Program 1 to the Chamber today.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Further debate?
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Program 1 of this budget is the carryover capital of
the budget. The carryover capital of the budget. We listened to
Councillor BOURKE talk about the record expenditure. What he is forgetting
about is the record carryovers and delays that we have seen in the last few years.
It was very interesting; he spoke about the key city park upgrades, a record
amount of money to be spent this year. What happened just recently, only a
couple of weeks ago, $1.8 million taken out of the budget, carried over to future
years. So he is announcing today a record spend from previous years, failing to
say anything about the record carryovers and delays that come about as part of
this program.
We know that there was $3.45 million in carryovers at the last budget review. I
was very disappointed when I heard a question in the information sessions to
Councillor BOURKE which was quite specific. A question that was answered
by every other Chairperson during the Committee presentations: what was the
total amount of budget carryovers from previous years into this budget?
Councillor BOURKE would not answer that question. Maybe he will answer
that question today when he sums up. All he could give us what was in the third
budget review. Well, we know that this budget is not based on the third budget
review; this is based on what is apparent today. The reason I am worried why
Councillor BOURKE refused to answer that question properly, as the other
Chairpersons did answer truthfully, is that there are even more carryovers and
blowouts and delays in Program 1 than he is prepared to admit to.
Councillor BOURKE spoke about the past drought and how it is important that
we put some money into fountains. What he is forgetting is that we have had
three floods since the last drought. Seven years ago the drought finished. This is
miles too late, miles too late. What Councillor BOURKE and maybe the
LORD MAYOR himself are failing to do is look out the LORD MAYOR's
window and see where a fountain is needed and where grass is needed. Just look
out the window, LORD MAYOR; you will see where there has been a fountain
in the past, and that is what Brisbane's residents are calling out for today.
We know that in summer King George Square is just like the Sahara Desert, and
in winter it is freezing cold. What it needs is proper rehabilitation of that centre.
I am not saying to destroy it; clearly there needs to be a water feature.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 87 Councillor interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
Yes, $22 million to turn it into a desert in summer and freezing cold in winter.
Madam Chair, this side of the Council Chamber is committed to putting a
fountain in King George Square and also replacing and putting some grass back
there as well, so that people can go there at lunchtime and sit on the grass.
Councillor BOURKE also spoke about record spend this year on flood
mitigation. Again, Madam Chair, he forgot to tell us about all the delays and
carryovers just in the last few months. So we know that just a bit over a month
ago he cut $1.145 million from stormwater Infrastructure Charging Plan (ICP)
infrastructure at the same time there was a revenue increase from developers for
ICP infrastructure of $2.7 million. So more money coming in that, at the third
budget review, did he say, we've got a big long list of stormwater projects that
need funding, of storm management that needs funding, did he say, okay, we've
got this extra money, let's go further down the list, and every Councillor here
knows we've got a big long list of drainage and stormwater works for every
ward across this city.
Why didn’t he say, okay, we've got this extra money, let's start spending it and
go further and further down the list to try and resolve those issues, like I have at
Banyo, Northgate, Virginia and Nundah. Let's spend that money. No, what did
he do? No, we'll put the $2.7 million in our pocket and we'll cut $1.45 million
from the budget. But there's more. He also cut $530,000 from major drainage
construction. Is he still claiming that this is a record spend in this program on
flood mitigation? I don't think so, Madam Chair.
The last point I want to raise is about the Karawatha Forest Environment Centre.
I think even you, Madam Chair, would forgive us for having a bit of a chuckle
when Councillor BOURKE spoke about that. What do we know about the
Karawatha Forest Environment Centre? We know that it was promised in 2007
as part of the election campaign by the LNP. The funding was first committed in
the 2008 Budget—the 2008 Budget, eight years ago. As Councillor DICK
mentioned in his Opposition reply speech, the Colosseum in Rome only took
eight years to build, and it's massive. Between 72 A.D. and 80 A.D. Those
Romans, 2,000 years ago, were better able to manage a project than the LNP are
today, 2,000 years later.
Maybe we should have got the Romans to build the Karawatha Environment
Centre. Maybe it could have been done in a shorter period of time. But what is
really interesting about this project with all the cuts and delays is how much is it
actually really costing? When you look at the amounts of money that have been
allocated in the last eight budgets, every year the funding goes up and down, and
no doubt in the budget reviews if someone was to spend a month or so going
through all the budget reviews, they would see how the money was cut and the
money was carried over to future years.
But let us just look at the last couple of years. Let us just look, say, from 2010.
That year, all the funding was stripped from that budget, with $4.95 million
allocated for future years and $2.3 million expenses. Then the next year, what
happened in 2011? The budgeted capital for the project was increased to
$5.4 million to be spent in the 2013-14 year, and expenses had been re-budgeted
to $1.6 million. So, in 2011 we were given the promise that this project was
going to cost $7 million. Well, is it costing $7 million? I am not sure how you
would actually work that out. Maybe Councillor BOURKE might get up, when
he responds, and tell us exactly how much is the Karawatha Forest Environment
Centre actually costing.
So, four years after the project was first funded in the budget, I was startled to
hear in 2012 when the LORD MAYOR got up in this Council Chamber and said
that the project was actually going to start that year. So it was promised in 2007;
funding allocation every year for the next four years, and finally we got an
announcement that it was actually going to start. How much was allocated to it?
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 88 A total of $6.46 million, with it to be completed in 2014-15. Well, Madam
Chair, we have passed that milestone again.
Then in 2013—I will read the direct quote from the LORD MAYOR's speech.
This is 2013, Madam Chair, ‘I am also pleased to announce that in this budget I
have allocated $480,000 towards stage 1 of the $6.6 million Karawatha Forest
Environment Centre.’ So, in 2007, all these cuts and delays going on and on,
budget reviews, taking the money in and out, in 2013 the LORD MAYOR
announced it is going to start, and the project was going to cost $6.6 million.
That was in the 2013 Budget.
Where are we today? Where are we today? The LORD MAYOR has allocated
another $4.697 million in this budget to finish the centre in 2015. It is absolutely
impossible to work out how much it has actually cost when you consider all the
carryovers, the delays, and the millions of dollars that this project has blown out
by. If this project has not blown out, if there is no blow out, we want to hear
Councillor BOURKE get up and tell us how much it actually is costing. One
thing is for certain: those ancient Romans could have managed this project a lot
better.
There is one final thing I want to mention. That is another real worry in this
budget. The LORD MAYOR has announced that he is going to build the
Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre at a cost of $3.4 million over the next
two years. Didn’t we hear something like that eight years ago, Madam Chair?
Over all, I think that the residents of Brisbane would be better off getting the
Romans to come in and build that centre at Mt Coot-tha, because there might be
some chance it might actually get done on time and on budget.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor WYNDHAM:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on Program 1 Clean, Green,
WaterSmart City. We have just listened to a little Flessernomics. We listen to
Flessernomics quite regularly. But we on this side of the Chamber are
determined, and we are delivering. I don't care what the economist on the other
side says, but the record speaks for itself. Over the past two years, Keep
Australia Beautiful has named Brisbane City as Australia's most sustainable city.
You don't become the best in the best country in the world by using
Flessernomics. If we were to use the Flessernomics that we hear regularly in this
place, we would be going backwards rapidly.
Councillor interjecting
Councillor WYNDHAM:
Let's just go back to 2012 where we committed to backflow valves for flooding.
There was not a whisper from the other side of anything to do with backflow
valves. This was just after one of the city's most major flooding events. We are
actually getting on and delivering, and still delivering on backflow valves, and
managing flooding et cetera in our suburbs. Madam Chair, that is what is
important to us; that is what is important to the people of Brisbane, not
Flessernomics.
We also heard a bit of a tirade about King George Square. I seem to recall this
morning walking past a very large temporary structure that many people are
visiting in King George Square. I just wonder where we are going to be putting
those things, if Flessernomics has any way. I guess it will end up back out in the
burbs somewhere. I can remember going to see some events way down
Hamilton way and out in the suburbs, in Seventh Brigade Park, et cetera.
Madam Chair, King George Square is the centre of our city. In some places, it is
the centre of entertainment in our city. You only have to have a look at City Hall
and the Christmas light thing—I know it is not in this program, but it is
something that the people of Brisbane just love about our city, that they can
come in and see entertainment, et cetera in that square. Councillor FLESSER
wishes to take that away from the people of Brisbane.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 89 If you look a little bit further, it is about education. Our CitySmart program and
our green fairs across the city that we have—you only have to look at education,
what it does. Education leads. Education doesn’t come along after and say, oh
gee, we should have thought of that. We are leading this city and trying to get
them on board and follow us in a journey, and that journey seems to be paying
off, seeing that we have received those awards for being Australia's most
sustainable city.
When you look at being sustainable, you only have to have a look at some of the
programs when it comes down to statistics and things like that. We've got our tip
shop program extremely popular, but not only is the tip shop program popular in
that people know about it; you look at the numbers. Acacia Ridge, by the end of
April 2015, will have had 122,507 visitors by the end of April this year. That is
how many people went through that particular tip shop. They just did not go
there for a look; they purchased and therefore they recycled many items.
If you look at the tip shop at Geebung, 47,359 visitors; once again, not lookers
but doers. That means there has been 1,152 tonnes of material that has been
processed through the tip shops. I will say that again: 1,150 tonnes of material.
Otherwise, that would have gone to waste. Madam Chair, as you know, landfill
in our city is precious, and 1,150 tonnes of extra landfill certainly would have
cost this city and the residents of this city quite a great deal. Instead, they are
now using that. It is going to, I guess, a very good cause in that people running
the tip shops as well, the Endeavour Foundation, are getting the benefit.
We should be proud of these things. We should not be carrying on with
Flessernomics over these sorts of things. These are the things that our city
should be proud of. We should be teaching other cities how this is done. We also
can look at some of the other statistics.
Just let's look at how much we do in the way of cleaning around our city. There
has been 107,726 kilometres of streets swept in 2014-15 financial year. I am
assured that this financial year we will see similar, if not more. That equates to
1,134 tonnes of debris removed by the sweepers across our city. That is just
debris from off our roads. Some of it, I guess, is metals and things like that, but
a lot of it can be waste that should be in bins. That is something that are getting
on and cleaning up—street sweepers.
Let's have a look at the 244 tonnes of debris removed by sweepers manually
across the city, the 70 tonnes removed from traffic islands—70 tonnes of debris
removed from traffic islands. This is all manual work in a lot of cases. Some
1,454 tonnes was the total amount of debris prevented from entering our
stormwater. What is more important than that amount of rubbish going into our
stormwaters? This is a $355 million program.
I was at a healthy waterways show on Friday night, and the State Government
were jumping up and down proudly saying that they were putting $11 million
into enhancing our waterways. We are putting $355 million into making our city
more preventative of this rubbish going down into our waterways, et cetera,
therefore assisting along the way. Part of that assistance is this removal of
rubbish, et cetera, from going into our waterways in the first place. It is
prevention; it is proactive about it. It is not about proudly saying we are going to
spend $11 million cleaning up our waterways; this is about spending money to
prevent our waterways being turned into sewers, et cetera, in the first place.
Madam Chair, large kerbside items—41 per cent of our population participate in
this. We collect approximately 10,600 tonnes of kerbside items in our kerbside
clean-up, a program that once was, oh, we might do it this year, because it's an
election year. I seem to recall that sort of on again, off again attitude to bulky
kerbside pickup, I think it was in the 90s and early 2000s, under the previous
government, the Labor Government. We are doing this annually, and the people
just love it. That, in a sense, once again goes back to educating our population
about being less wasteful, because I've noticed over the years, too, some of these
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 90 numbers have dropped off. Of course, with the tip shops and that, that will
continue.
But we've also got our recycle transfer stations now. There's been a 20 per cent
increase in recyclables at Willawong Station due to the introduction. Once
again, this just shows that we are serious about eliminating waste from the waste
stream system, but about recycling. I look at it; I can remember the days when
people were calling for extra bin collections, et cetera, et cetera. I think we
should be educating people that it is not about extra bin collections; it's about
less waste. It is about less waste in the first place, because that in itself assists us
to get on and make this city so much stronger and, I guess we could say, a little
bit cleaner and brighter.
We are using 100 per cent green power. We are setting an example. We have
been doing that for many years. I cannot remember, but I suspect we have
possibly got to go back about eight years, if not more, for the 100 per cent green
power, and we are also offsetting our fleet.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WYNDHAM, your time has expired.
Councillor WYNDHAM:
Time flies when you're having fun.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on Program 1, the Clean, Green and
WaterSmart City program. I want to make a few remarks about the 2015-16
Budget. This is one of the programs where I am a regular speaker during the
course of the year. I move amendments; I move motions, and it is an issue in my
ward that is of particular significance.
We have some of the most beautiful parks and the oldest parks in the city and
Australia in my area, and we also have some magnificent green spaces.
Maintaining those is of critical importance to the community that I represent.
We are unfortunately also a ward that suffers from terrible natural disasters, and
we have been repeatedly flooded and affected by the super storms and so forth
over the past four years. One of the issues that people in my ward are concerned
about is the lack of significant investment in ongoing flood mitigation across the
city, but particularly in Tennyson Ward.
It is enormously disappointing to me today that there is a budget before us that
still continues to fail to invest in the necessary drainage, backflow and flood
mitigation measures that our city needs. It is in times of ordinary business that
you must invest in the needs of a city that is subject to flooding like Brisbane is.
I note in the budget today, and certainly from the information requests, that
Councillor BOURKE has stood up and said that 95 per cent of this budget is
being invested in the suburbs, and that there is an 11.5 per cent increase in the
drainage budget, and that I think was the major drainage, and a 2.5 per cent
increase in the minor drainage budget, and that the number of projects were up
to 27 from 22.
You would think, maybe, that there would be in one of the wards that is hardest
hit by flooding in this city some investment in drainage—maybe one project out
of 27. I don't think that is too much to ask for. One project out of 27. There is
$21-odd million being invested in stormwater drainage this year, and does
anybody want to have a guess how much of it is being invested in Tennyson
Ward?
Councillor interjecting:
Zero.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 91 Councillor JOHNSTON:
Zero, thank you, Councillor CUMMING. Thank you, Councillor GRIFFITHS;
zero. So there are—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, and the LNP Councillors think it is funny, Madam Chairman. I can tell you
the residents in my ward don't, and they understand that this is a budget that is
personally determined by the LORD MAYOR of our city. I find it appalling that
the LNP Administration continues to neglect the needs of Tennyson Ward. In
the year 2000, a drainage report was identified for Fairfield and Yeronga,
outlining the major upgrades that were necessary at that time to deal with
drainage and flooding impacts in Fairfield and Yeronga. That was 15 years ago.
The report itself said at that time that it was necessary to meet existing demands;
that was back in 2000.
Since that time there has been major development through those areas, and there
is flooding every time it rains. That is just dealing with the day-to-day drainage
issues of this city, let alone mitigating the flood impacts from the January 2011
flood. There were 36 remaining backflow valves to do, of which there are about
15 in my ward that still needed doing. Again, none are being funded today. That
is not good enough as far as I am concerned. We are letting residents down by
failing to plan for the future and failing to invest in the necessary drainage
across the ward.
This LORD MAYOR is popularly elected by the city. He is here to represent all
people, regardless of how they vote. The fact that he continues to starve
Tennyson Ward of vital drainage funding that his own officers said in 2000 was
critically important is a major governance and leadership failure by the
LORD MAYOR. The fact that the Chairman in this area stands up and crows
about the fact that there is an increase in funding, whilst not allocating a single
project to Tennyson Ward, is just appalling.
Some 27 projects, he said, but not one of them. There are 26 wards in the city. If
you were going to do it fairly, like the LORD MAYOR said in his budget
speech, you would share it out. You would make sure that the areas of greatest
need on the south side are getting funded, because we know for the past four
years there has been an 80 per cent investment in drainage on the north side and
only 20 per cent on the south side of the city. This budget is little better. I
checked it. It is 70 per cent still on the north side and 30 per cent on the south
side. So not only is Tennyson Ward getting completely dudded; the south side is
being ignored by the LNP Administration. That is not good enough.
It is also the case when it comes to parks. I note that there is an increase of 35
parks projects in Tennyson Ward. Does anybody want to have a guess how
many parks projects are being undertaken in Tennyson Ward in this budget?
Councillor interjecting:
Zero.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Zero; thank you, Councillor CUMMING for helping us so much. There is an
investment of $15 million in park and playground projects in this budget, and
not a single cent of it is going to be invested in Tennyson Ward—not a cent.
Let's remember that they are here to govern for everyone, but not the people of
Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood, Corinda, Tennyson, Rocklea, Yeronga,
Fairfield, Yeerongpilly and Annerley. Apparently they don't need any park
investment, and they don't need any drainage investment.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
It is horrific, and I agree: there is $1 million to fix up the Ken Fletcher sea wall
which has fallen into the river. We still don't know why. We haven’t had a
report that has been published. That is not good enough. Councillor BOURKE
still can't even tell us the exact scope of the work. It might be piling, it might be
reinforcement, it might be sheeting; we don't know. Three months on, from a
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 92 significant park collapse, he should know, and he should know what the money
is going to be spent on.
There is no money to replace the community centre either. It is not good
enough. Madam Chairman, just to inject a little fairness into the debate today, I
have an amendment that I would like to move to Program 1.
MOTION FOR AMENDMENT TO PROGRAM 1: CLEAN, GREEN AND WATERSMART CITY
685/2014-15
It was moved by Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON, seconded by Councillor Steve GRIFFITHS that:
“$1.5 million from item 1.3.1.1 Conservation Reserves Consolidation is transferred to item 1.7.1.5 Major
Drainage for the construction of backflow valves in Tennyson Ward, and $82 million in item 1.4.3.1 Upgrade
Neighbourhood Parks for Eucalypt Place Park, Bracken Ridge, is allocated to Lagonda Street Park,
Annerley”.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman. In the LORD MAYOR's budget speech last
Wednesday, I noted he seemed to be very proud of the fact that his budget was
fair. He used the word fairness. I think that was deliberate, because of the
adverse study that was done with the overall sort of review of Council's system.
Councillor BOURKE:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Yes, Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor BOURKE:
The amendment I've got is relating to drainage works, not park projects that
Councillor JOHNSTON states. Can we have a copy of the actual amendment
that is meant to be being debated, please?
Chairman:
Parks, Maintenance and Enhancement.
Sorry, Councillor JOHNSTON—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I am not sure what has been handed out, Madam Chairman, but there are two
pages, and I have moved them as one amendment. One is about the parks
funding, and the other is about drainage.
Councillor BOURKE:
We've only got one, the drainage one.
Chairman:
Yes, we've only got one. I've got to get a copy of the other amendment, please.
If there's two there, can I have a copy please?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I handed them to the Clerk, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, I know you did, Councillor JOHNSTON. Are they all the same? What have
you got?
Councillor NEWTON:
We've got an amendment relating to Eucalypt Park.
Chairman:
Yes, that's the same as this one. So there's a second one. Can I have two copies
up here of the second amendment please?
Councillor BOURKE, have you got the second one?
Councillor BOURKE:
I've got the drainage one but don't have the parks one.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, what you were really moving was two amendments,
because they are two different parts of the budget.
It is two amendments; it's not one.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 93 Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, I moved it as one amendment. I read it out, I moved it. It was
moved as one amendment. It is simply written down as two because that's the
way it just got written down for the purposes of ease. But I have moved one
amendment clearly to the items as outlined. It was seconded by
Councillor GRIFFITHS, and I would appreciate it if we can have some debate.
Chairman:
Okay, yes; debate on the amendment. No, it is okay.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
It is not a mistake. It is very clearly an amendment—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES! Councillor WINES!
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I haven’t made a mistake. I stood up, I've moved an amendment and it's been
seconded—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor WINES!
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—and there's debate now, so grow up.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor WINES!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor FLESSER!
Point of order.
Yes, DEPUTY MAYOR.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
I just wanted to raise that at least one of these amendments or proposed
amendments is incompetent, the one that relates to Conservation Reserves
Consolidation. Under the requirements of the Bushland Acquisition Levy, that
money can only be spent on purchasing and maintaining bushland. It would be
illegal to put it into drainage.
Chairman:
Yes, that is correct.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR, can I have a five-minute adjournment, please?
ADJOURNMENT:
686/2014-15
At that time, 10am, it was resolved on the motion of the DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER,
seconded by Councillor Ryan MURPHY that the meeting adjourn for a period of five minutes.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, that part of your amendment is incompetent. That is
the Conservation Reserves Consolidation, money to be transferred to drainage,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 94 because if you look at 1.3.1.1 it is dealing only with the Bushland Preservation
Levy. If you turn to page 239 of the budget book, that explains very clearly what
that money can be used for. It cannot be used for drainage, and therefore that
amendment is incompetent and I will strike that one out. So we will have debate
on the other part of your amendment please.
Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair. Just a question about that ruling. Can I just ask for
one—
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor SUTTON, you are here.
Councillor SUTTON:
Yes, I am, and I know you always love it when I join the debate in the Council
Chamber.
Chairman:
What is your question?
Councillor SUTTON:
My understanding was that Council could resolve to change exactly what you
are saying in terms of the levy expenditure. If this Council was to support
Councillor JOHNSTON's motion that she has put forward to spend the money in
this way, then that is a resolution of full Council and would actually lead to
change in that policy. So, I am just questioning how you can rule that that is
incompetent.
Chairman:
Okay, Councillor SUTTON, I will explain it again. The Conservation Reserves
Consolidation is about the Bushland Preservation Levy only, which is explained
on page 239 of the budget book. The Chief Legal Counsel has confirmed my
opinion that that amendment is incompetent and cannot proceed. If you want
that in writing, I can request another adjournment whilst we get that in writing
before we start the debate on this amendment. It is up to you.
Councillor SUTTON:
I just wanted to ask.
Chairman:
Just now and again it would pay to perhaps realise that just maybe the
Chief Legal Counsel and myself know what we are talking about.
Councillor JOHNSTON, debate on—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, my understanding is this is the highest decision making body
of this place. Council can vary and change the allocation of funding expenditure.
I do not agree with your advice, and I move dissent in the motion and the
decision that you have made today, and I would appreciate it if there is a
seconder. Hello?
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Dissent has been moved in my ruling. There is no seconder; therefore we
continue.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
All right, Madam Chairman; that's fine.
Chairman:
Now, you can debate—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, I understand.
Chairman:
You can debate your amendment in relation to 1.4.3.1.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I understand, Madam Chairman, that this Council is all about shutting me down
when it comes to—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON—
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 95 Councillor JOHNSTON:
—allocating expenditure—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes.
Chairman:
I am asking you to withdraw that comment.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Okay, I withdraw. Madam Chairman, the part of the motion that you are
allowing to go forward today is very straightforward. We have heard from the
LORD MAYOR last Wednesday that he claims his budget is fair. He claims that
he is investing for everyone in the city. Well, Madam Chairman, I can tell you
now that there is a total of $15 million allocated to park and playground works
in this budget, and not a single cent of it is allocated into Tennyson Ward.
When we had the budget estimates session on Monday, it was astonishing to
listen to the amount of pork barrelling that is being done in LNP wards,
particularly when it comes to parks projects. One of the issues that was raised
was the Upgrading Neighbourhood Parks item at 1.4.3.1. There are dozens and
dozens of projects, a total of $5.5 million in expenditure, for neighbourhood
parks, and not a single cent of that $5.5 million is going into any Tennyson
Ward suburb. However, there are multiple projects for Bracken Ridge Ward—
multiple projects. I note that there are projects including the Eucalypt Place Park
project, $82,000; Ferguson Park project, $195,000; the Isaac Best Park project,
$53,000, and that is just suburbs that are actually called Bracken Ridge.
It is shocking to see the way in which the LORD MAYOR interprets the word
fairness. Fairness apparently means that LNP suburbs get multiple park projects
while Tennyson Ward gets nothing. That is unreasonable and unfair. I want to
change that today with this amendment.
The reason that I have chosen this project is because it was one of two lighting
projects that has been identified in Bracken Ridge Ward for park, and one of
those two projects, funding should be reallocated to the Lagonda Street Park in
Annerley. Lagonda Street Park is a through park that connects Fairfield Rail
Station with Ipswich Road. It is highly trafficked by foot, by commuters, by
schoolchildren going up to Our Lady's, and used very frequently by local
residents. It is currently dangerous. The lighting inadequacies are enormous, and
it is shocking that this Council has not funded it.
Eight years ago, in my first year, I asked for lighting funding for this. That is
how long we have been waiting for it. The lighting plan was drawn up in 2009,
but the lighting project has never been funded. The plan was drawn up after a
resident who lived opposite the park at that time reported a serious assault in the
park, and the lack of lighting that leads through a heavily treed area and a small
boardwalk over a gully. It is entirely a community safety issue.
The lighting in this park has been identified by the Asset Services officers in
South Region as the number one lighting project. They say it is dangerous; I say
it is dangerous; the residents say it is dangerous. For seven years, I have been
campaigning for lighting in this park. It has been promised, and then they have
failed to deliver.
Today is the time to commit funding to that project and to install the muchneeded lighting to ensure that people walking to school, to work or to their
homes in Annerley will be safe. That is all this is asking for.
Councillor COOPER still has dozens of other projects in this area and several
other projects in this line item itself. It is unreasonable that other wards are
being so heavily provided with projects and others are being ignored altogether.
Safety of our residents isn’t a political issue. If Asset Services officers identify
projects as vitally important for the safety of our community, they should be
funded. They should be funded. This is simply asking that $82,000 from a
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 96 lighting project in Bracken Ridge Ward is transferred to a park lighting project
in Annerley. Councillor COOPER still has hundreds of thousands of dollars of
parks upgrade projects in here, and I feel that it is entirely reasonable and
entirely fair that we allocate ratepayers' funds out to ensure that high priority
safety projects are delivered. I would ask for everyone in this ward to support
this project, because it is critically important.
If another incident happens in this park without the appropriate lighting, it will
just be horrific for our community, and it is not reasonable that the LNP
Councillors continue to neglect it. I urge all Councillors to ensure that they
support this item before us today because Councillor COOPER certainly is still
getting her fair share of funding. Of the $15 million in parks and playground
projects—that is $15 million—all I am asking this Council to endorse is $82,000
for Tennyson Ward. That is it. Otherwise there will be nothing, and I don't think
that is reasonable by any stretch of the imagination whatsoever.
I don't think the people of Brisbane think that is reasonable. I think if you went
and asked Councillor COOPER's residents out in Bracken Ridge Ward whether
they thought her getting five or six park projects and Tennyson Ward getting
none was fair, they would say that it was unfair. So I would ask all Councillors
on the basis of fairness and the basis of community safety to support this
reallocation of funding.
Chairman:
Further debate on the amendment?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
So all that hassle, and they don't even have the guts to stand up and speak to the
motion. Let's be clear: I have moved a motion that we reallocate $82,000 in
funding for a lighting project in Bracken Ridge to $82,000 in a lighting project
in Lagonda Street Park, Annerley, and they don't even have the guts to stand up
and say why they support it or why they don't support it. I can only presume that
means they are going to vote it down—vote it down in the most cowardly way
by not saying anything whatsoever. That is appalling.
Again, we are here with the LORD MAYOR's fairness budget. The
LORD MAYOR stood up and said he wants to deliver for everybody. We have
heard Councillor BOURKE; he's delivering across the suburbs. Some 95 per
cent of his projects are being delivered in the suburbs. Well, they are not out in
Tennyson Ward. There is $15 million in funding in this parks project; not a cent
of it is going to Tennyson Ward.
In this budget item allocation for neighbourhood parks, there is a $5.5 million
allocation, and not a cent of it is going into Tennyson Ward. Is there a single
other Councillor in this place who is not getting a cent out of the parks budget?
Is there? Is there another Councillor who is not getting a single cent? I don't
think there is anybody in here who is. What I will say is: it is reasonable that this
$82,000 is transferred to a critically important lighting project that is identified
by Local Asset Services officers in South Region as the number one lighting
project for my area. It has been on the list for seven years, and it is being
ignored. I don't want to see another person hurt.
So I am simply asking that, from this allocation of $5.5 million, $82,000 goes to
Tennyson Ward. Otherwise, they will be getting nothing. If another person is
hurt in this area, it will be just appalling.
Amendment put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the amendment and it was declared lost on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON, and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Milton DICK
immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared lost.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 97 -
NOES: 25 -
Chairman:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER,
Steve GRIFFITHS and Victoria NEWTON.
Further debate on Program 1?
Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Thanks very much—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MURPHY:
—Madam Chairman; I stand to make a reasoned contribution to the debate on
Program 1, Clean, Green and WaterSmart City. Before I do that, can I signal my
very strong support for the LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Council budget as a
whole, and express my gratitude to the officers—and, of course,
Councillor SIMMONDS and his officers—who have worked so hard behind the
scenes and have put this budget together.
I always say to Councillor BOURKE—I have said it in past budgets and I will
say it again—Program 1 is one of my favourite programs because it delivers the
on-the-ground services, the things that people love about Brisbane—the parks,
the recreation side of things, the exciting things that kids go out and enjoy in the
wards. So it is really good—
DEPUTY MAYOR interjecting: I bet you say that to all the Chairmen.
Councillor MURPHY:
No, I don't, I don't. Moving Brisbane is coming up
Councillor SCHRINNER, and I will have some things to say about that.
next,
I want to talk about some of the headline figures here. There is $168.2 million
for parks, gardens and recreation in this budget; $15.9 million for maintaining
trees across the city; we have 19 grass cuts per year up from 17 last year, and
certainly far up on the numbers that were regular in Labor years.
It has $21.3 million for maintaining our bushland areas; $2.6 million for home
and business sustainability programs, and of course we continue the purchase of
100 per cent green power, with $4.5 million to ensure that Council's operations
are carbon neutral.
This is an Administration that sees the need to address the challenge of climate
change, and is willing to put its money where its mouth is. But importantly, we
believe in taking care of that issue at the back of house, not by imposing a tax on
the residents and the businesses of Brisbane as Labor Councillors have
advocated for time and time again in this place with their support for Federal
Labor's carbon tax.
When it comes to changing the energy use and the environmental habits of the
residents of Brisbane, we believe in doing so through the carrot, not the stick;
not through punitive measures, and that is why we have invested over $2 million
in the GreenHeart community engagement program in this budget to encourage
Brisbane residents and businesses to change their habits, to become a little bit
cleaner and greener every year. I think that is a great program. It is well
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 98 supported by everyone that I talk to in my ward, and it is certainly well
supported by Councillors on this side of the Chamber.
I want to talk a little bit about keeping the city clean. In past budgets I have
talked a lot about the parks side of things, but I think it would be remiss of me
not to advocate just how much this city has changed in the last decade and plus
with some of the policies that we have enacted when it comes to keeping our
city clean and green. We have $121.7 million in this budget for waste
management; $100.8 for drainage maintenance and enhancement, and
$9.6 million for graffiti removal and litter prevention.
I remember this city in the 1990s. I remember as a kid coming in here to
Queen Street Mall and actually seeing how bad Queen Street Mall looked under
the Soorley Labor Administrations. It was truly a filthy city. There was garbage
everywhere; the pavement was unkempt and ripped up. The gardens needed
maintenance—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MURPHY:
This was a filthy city under Labor Administrations.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MURPHY:
I really want to give credit where it is due to Councillor McLACHLAN and his
team—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor ABRAHAMS!
Councillor MURPHY:
—because they have done a great job in just slowly turning around this city's
look and feel, especially in the CBD, but also out in the suburbs.
I hear the interjections from those opposite, but the figures here speak for
themselves. Just in the last financial year, we have installed another 270
240-litre bin enclosure units. We have had 13 suburbs touched in the eastern
region, 12 in the west region, 18 in the north, and 17 in the south, and of course
10 suburbs touched including the CBD in the city. This is a really important
metric: overflowing footpath bins have reduced by 50 per cent over the last two
years, due to bringing that increased capacity online. That is not a sexy project
that Council has done, but it has been so effective in ensuring that those bins are
filled with rubbish, not the streets filled with rubbish as they were under Labor.
They carp and they moan, but every Councillor on this side of the Chamber
knows what it was like in the 90s, walking down Queen Street Mall in this city.
It was truly disgraceful. I think that has been one of the biggest turnarounds in
getting that rubbish off the streets and into bins, so people can be proud of their
city.
I want to talk a little bit about the schedules in this program and what they mean
for Doboy Ward. We have natural area development. We have $29,000 and
$20,000 respectively allocated for Chelsea Road Park and Green Camp Road
Park in Ransome. It is important to understand that these properties were
purchased with the Bushland Acquisition Levy, a levy that is set aside especially
for use for these purposes, not other purposes. Once they come into Council's
estate, it is important that we don't just leave them sit there to get weeds or pests
or anything like that. It is important that we spend the time and invest the money
to ensure that these reserves are developed so that the residents of Brisbane can
use them, so that they provide a natural valuable habitat for flora and fauna in
those areas.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 99 We also have some dog off-leash area refurbishment at 14.3.1 for Preston Road
Park at Carina, $63,000 being invested there. This is, as
Councillor SCHRINNER will know, because this is right on the border, this is
one of the best used dog parks in Brisbane. I will put my hand on my heart and
say I think it is actually the most used dog park in all of Brisbane. I am happy to
be proven wrong by other Councillors here. We have seen that dog park grow
bigger and bigger and bigger every year that I have been a Councillor. They just
keep moving that fence further out into the parkland. There are now hundreds of
dogs and their owners there every afternoon.
It is causing some teething issues with the park, obviously, and of course other
things that we are putting in there, like the Minnippi outdoor gym causing a lot
of people to come to the park. So some of the upgrades we have done in recent
financial years to improve the car park around there have been really important
to that. We also have park assets, maintenance and rehabilitation at 1.4.3.1 in the
schedules. We have $121,000 there for the Colmslie Beach Reserve which is a
reserve that is on the border between Councillor SUTTON's ward and mine.
This was, I believe, land that was owned by the State Government for their
abattoir operations back in the late 80s and 90s, was handed over the Council as
part of Jim Soorley's plan to convert that into a beach park, and it has been a
very well loved park by the residents of my ward and the residents of the wider
city of Brisbane for years now. Unfortunately, the car park and some of the
footpaths to get around Colmslie Beach Reserve are a little bit dilapidated, so
this money is a great investment to see those paths upgraded to ensure that that
park will remain accessible into the future.
At Park Infrastructure Facility and Landscape Upgrades, the number one line
item in the budget there is the barbeque upgrade and replacement program. I am
probably harking back to the late 90s a little bit in this speech, but we all
remember going to the park and using the wood fired barbeques. Well, their
time has come and gone. It is important that, where we have barbeques that are
well used, they are replaced with electric barbeques as a matter of priority.
I will say some people still use them. I had one person in Preston Road Park—
and Councillor SCHRINNER, you will be interested to know this—who was
actually using one of those wood fired barbeques as a smoker. I didn’t even
know you could do that, but he was smoking meat in it. I went over and went,
'What the hell are you doing?' He said, I'm smoking all this meat. You can't get
this anywhere else, so I'm doing it here in the park. So there's at least a few
people out there that still use those barbeques. So perhaps we can't replace all of
them just yet.
With respect to Upgrade Neighbourhood Parks, Doboy Ward has been the
recipient of six park upgrades under the Upgrade Neighbourhood Parks program
at 1.4.3.1. We have Behan Crescent Park, which is another one of those older
90s, 80s style parks. We have a $122,000 upgrade program there. That is a very
well loved park by the community, near a dog park as well, so it would be great
to see that one upgraded. We have Habitat Drive Park at Wakerley, recently in
the last budget was a recipient of a dog off-leash area upgrade, but of course one
upgrade begets another, and residents have asked for some exercise equipment
after seeing the fantastic work of Council officers installing the outdoor gym at
Minnippi. So we have $65,000 for the installation of equipment there.
The Ian Page Park is a park with the older style barbeque. There is $32,000 in
the budget to upgrade the older style of barbeque there to an electric barbeque,
and I thank Councillor BOURKE for his attention to that. The Joe Bradfield
Centre Park at Carina, $121,000 there invested to upgrade the facilities. Again,
we have another ageing 90s era park that needs replacement. Preston Road Park,
$13,000 there. I have to talk to the officers to find out exactly what that one is
about. We have Robinson Park at Tingalpa as well.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 100 As to waterways health enhancement, New Cleveland Road, $216,000 there. I
think it is important to note that the vast majority of flooding that we get in this
city is actually creek flooding. It is not river flooding. So every dollar that is
invested in waterways health enhancement, or indeed in the waterways
vegetation management—
Chairman:
Councillor MURPHY, your time has expired.
Councillor MURPHY:
Oh, I'm very sorry, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
It is 10.28; the designated time for morning tea today is 10.30, so
Councillor MURPHY?
ADJOURNMENT:
687/2014-15
At that time, 10.28am, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor
Kim MARX, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 15 minutes, to commence only when all Councillors had
vacated the Chamber and the doors have been locked.
Council stood adjourned at 10.29am.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Further debate on Program 1?
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Thanks, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I rise to speak on the Clean Green and
WaterSmart City program, Program 1, and it's in relation to 2015-16 Budget, my
points. Can I say, Madam Chair, that while we've heard a lot of bleating on the
other side of the Chamber about what a great budget this is for the city, for
southside residents it's one of neglect. Some of the points I'd like to raise, just as
I start this, is pick up the point that Councillor FLESSER made in regards to the
number of carryovers that have been brought through this budget. The fact that
it looks like a healthy budget, but in fact it's a budget of carryovers.
The second point, Madam Chair, is in relation to the expense column on page 16
between this and last year’s budget and this year’s budget and the number of
cuts there are. In particular, 1.2, Madam Chair, Sustainable Brisbane has been
cut. 1.6, the focus on the river, bay and waterways has been cut and 1.7, flood
risk management has been cut and that's in relation to expenses.
Madam Chair, this is shocking. It's shocking not only because these are areas
that we need extra funding in, it's shocking because you would actually think the
LNP might be trying to look after some of those areas of the city, particularly in
an election year. But let's concentrate on our healthy waterways and litter and
flooding. I know Councillor JOHNSTON brought this issue up before and made
some very reasonable points. In fact, some of the worst areas of our city that
flood are on the south side. They're in Councillor JOHNSTON and my areas.
They're areas that are not actually getting well funded in relation to looking after
the water ways, be it with litter, be it in keeping them clear or be it with
infrastructure. The creeks I refer to, Madam Chair, on the south side are Stable
Swamp Creek, Rocky Waterholes, Moolabin Creek, Norman Creek and of
course that all fits into the—well, for the first three, they all fit into the Oxley
Creek catchment. I suppose my main point in relation to the Oxley Creek
catchment is as one of our city's largest waterway or I believe it is our city's
largest waterway, it actually tracks a rating D in relation to its health.
So it's surprising that a creek that actually has one of the lowest ratings is
receiving the least amount of resources in terms of looking after that creek. It
certainly flies in the face of what is stated here in the budget, that 95 per cent of
residents regard waterways, healthy waterways, healthy creeks and a healthy
river as being important to them, but also as being important to the bay. Madam
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 101 Chair, but enough of me talking. I actually have some pictures here that I would
like to give to every Councillor, so I leave those there to be tabled and one to be
tabled. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Here are pictures taken in the last week or so, so within the budget period. This
is Stable Swamp Creek. This is what the LNP have been delivering. This is the
only way I can show you what I’m talking about, and that's with pictures. The
amount of rubbish and debris in our creeks that is flowing down Stable Swamp
Creek from suburbs such as Sunnybank, Coopers Plains, MacGregor and other
areas of our city is appalling. So it's obviously not being picked up at source. It's
going into our drains, it's going into our waterways, it is going into our river and
then it is going into our bay.
This is what this Council is delivering now. It's appalling. Please have a look at
the pictures. You'll see there that there's plenty of debris. If you look closely at
the picture, you’ll actually see that there's a large container jammed in the
middle of the waterway there under the bridge, blocking the waterway.
Madam Chair, no one could be proud of this. In fact, the last time I saw a scene
like this was when I was travelling through India.
Councillor MURPHY:
A point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
A point of order against you Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Yes, Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chair, we all appreciate show and tell is a very nice thing, but we're here
to debate the budget. I’m just wondering if Councillor GRIFFITHS can address
his comments to the budget.
Chairman:
Thank you. I won't uphold your point of order, Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes. Thanks, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, my point here is that this is the
current state of our waterways and we've cut funding for waterways in this
budget in terms of expenses. This is the current state of waterways on the south
side of the city. Residents call or tell me they call it the forgotten side of the city
by this LORD MAYOR. Residents tell me they're sick of seeing no
infrastructure. They tell me that they’re sick of seeing now services and they’re
sick of a mayor that doesn’t stand up for them.
I can see Angela Owen-Taylor, Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR is agreeing with
me almost in the way she's nodding her head. Madam Chair, what we're seeing
is major spends on the north side in terms of our waterways and good. Good.
That's—it should be. We should be spending money on our waterways. I
appreciate that.
But let's not neglect the waterways that are getting the lowest ratings in our city,
which brings me to another point, Madam Chair, and that's our Creek Ranger
program. Madam Chair, I understand in the northern suburbs or the western
suburbs they have two creek rangers to fund looking after those programs there.
Two creek rangers. On the south side, the east side and the north side, they only
have one creek ranger. So hence the number of groups that want to participate in
cleaning these creeks up can't, because we haven’t got the resources to do it, and
we haven’t had the resources to do it for years.
Meanwhile, probably one of our cleanest, best looked after waterways in
Brisbane is getting more resources to do it. Well, look, Madam Chair, if I
produces a good outcome, great. That's good. I support clean waterways, but
let's put the resources into the waterways that are the dirtiest, not the cleanest.
Let's look at what we're doing. Let's stop playing politics with this and actually
go after some results. Madam Chair, all this rubbish is going to end up in the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 102 bay. It's going to end up in our river. It's going to end up in our bay. That's not
good for anyone.
So if you don’t like a Labor seat or there's some reason you don’t want to fund
something, that's fine, but think a bit bigger picture. Think actually about our
waterways, our Brisbane in terms of the river and also the bay. Madam Chair, I
have some other photos here as well that I'll just table. I think that was enough in
terms of giving people an idea of what's going on. But the other point of
contention is in relation to litter. I will table this just for the record rather than
for everyone. This is Ipswich Road once again. It's our biggest, most neglected
road in the city. It is the dirtiest road in the city.
It is not a state road. From Granard Road in—let me put it clearly on the record,
because obviously our Chairpersons are so incompetent they can't even find this
out from the officers—yes. He doesn’t—even though it's Council, so he doesn’t
realise it has got to have resources spent on it. From Granard Road in on
Ipswich Road, it's Council. It's a Council road. It's our responsibility, which is
probably why it is the dirtiest road in Brisbane. Madam Chair, every time I drive
along that road, every day I see this rubbishChairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS. Councillor GRIFFITHS—
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Madam Chair—
Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS, can I suggest you start relating it to the budget please?
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, Madam Chair. Certainly. Then this is certainly the waste program. This is
actually about how we allocate the waste program and currently my point is the
waste program is not being allocated effectively on to the south side of the city.
This waste program is missing the south side. This is proof of that. I’m happy at
any time—at any time—to take the LORD MAYOR out and show him that, so
that potentially we might see some results on the south side. Madam Chair, in
relation to other areas of this particular budget, it is disappointing that so little is
being spent on our creeks out that way in terms of flooding.
We know that that is the area that floods every time it rains. We've got the flood
buyback program and I welcome more funding in this part of the budget, but
once again, my point is we need to actually look at the criteria for the buybacks,
because we now have some houses that are in flooded areas that we can't
buyback, because of our criteria. In one street, we've got three houses left that
could—that should be bought back. We can close the street off, we'll save
money. The residents want to sell up. We could actually clear this area up. We
need to review how that money is spent, renew the criteria, so that we can get
some results. If we're genuine, we should be getting some results so that we're
reducing the amount of people affected by flooding.
Chairman:
Councillor GRIFFITHS, your time has expired.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise in support of the Clean Green and Water Smart
City. All on this side of the Chamber, Madam Chair, are the side that delivers
projects and has initiatives—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
—for new projects.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 103 Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
This side—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
This side of the—
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor KING:
—Chamber have vision for this growing city. I would like to add something that
Councillor MURPHY said and it was actually confirmed by Councillor DICK.
That the mall when I was a teenager or late teens or going into uni years—yes.
A lady doesn't say how long ago that was—but, Madam Chair, the Brisbane City
Mall was a no-go zone. You didn’t go to the mall in the evenings, because it was
considered dirty and somewhere where you didn’t go.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
It was—hardly anybody was in the mall at that time and Councillor DICK
admitted that he knew—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
—that it was in the 1990s under a Soorley Government. Now, we have a mall
that is clean—
Councillor DICK:
A point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
A point of order against you—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. A point of order against you, Councillor KING.
Yes, Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
It only took her a minute for her to get it wrong, but could I claim to be
misrepresented, please, Madam Chair.
Councillor KING:
We haven’t spoken on it.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor KING:
Whoops.
Chairman:
No. You haven’t.
Councillor KING:
He yelled out.
Chairman:
You haven’t spoken today, Councillor DICK, so it's a bit hard.
Councillor KING:
You interjected.
Chairman:
You have the opportunity to speak in the program.
Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
Madam Chair, Councillor DICK certainly did interject and say it was in the
1990s under a Soorley Government. Madam Chair, this mall that we've got,
thank you to Field Services and under Councillor McLACHLAN—
Councillor interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 104 Chairman:
Councillor—just a minute, Councillor KING.
Councillor ABRAHAMS, if you continue to interject like that, you will be
warned. You don’t have the floor. Because you don’t agree with something said
does not give you the right to loudly interject constantly throughout every
meeting, so be quiet.
Thank you, Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
They don’t like the truth, Madam Chair. Under Councillor McLACHLAN and
his team, the Brisbane City Mall is more vibrant, cleaner and a safer place to be,
so I thank Councillor McLACHLAN and his team for providing those services
for a clean city. Madam Chair, this side has vision for the future, unlike
Councillor FLESSER with his comments of King George Square, which he
signed off on when he was in cabinet.
What Councillor FLESSER wants is a water fountain, I think he said, in
King George Square and grass for people to sit on. Madam Chair, again, as a
young person growing up in this city, you could never sit on the grass because it
was always fenced off. So Councillor FLESSER should remember that he was
the one who signed off on King George Square. Madam Chair—and for
Councillor GRIFFITHS to say that he wants more money in the budget for the
flood buyback system, the ALP didn’t even do it. They didn’t even do it. They
covered it up—
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
A point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Order.
Point of order against you, Councillor KING.
Yes, Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Claim to be misrepresented.
Chairman:
Thank you. Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
He clearly said, Madam Chair, that he wanted more money in the budget for the
flood buyback, which the ALP never had in their budgets and never had once in
their time of Administration, Madam Chair. This proves they have no vision.
They have absolutely no vision—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor KING:
—for our city.
Chairman:
You’re like a broken record.
Councillor KING:
Madam Chair, to hear about—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
You know, when I—again, growing up in this beautiful city, there was always a
thing about the north and south side. Always. Those people opposite want to
bring back that divide and separate our city. I am really sorry that we are—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 105 Councillor KING:
—delivering Councillor NEWTON's area
Councillor FLESSER's area on the north side.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
Shame, Councillor COOPER, for you delivering for your residents out there in
Bracken Ridge, a great suburb. Councillor WYNDHAM, I can't believe you’ve
got projects on the north side.
on
the
north
side,
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor KING:
If those people on the opposite side would be in charge of this place, the
north side would be neglected, as it was under Jim Soorley, Madam Chair.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor KING:
Madam Chair, I am delighted to say that we have some wonderful parks on the
north side of Brisbane and I’m glad that we're getting some upgrades in those
parks. May I also remind, besides these upgrades, each and every one of us gets
$448,000 to spend in parks or in footpaths across our city. I’m glad to see that
Seventh Brigade will have some safety lighting at the park, Madam Chair,
around that kids space area with new shade sails and upgrading that facility. I’m
also delighted to see solar lights for one of my dog off-leash areas that people
have been asking for for many, many years.
Lanham Park is having a barbecue and shelter upgrade. Marchant Park is
receiving some exercise equipment to again encourage our residents to come out
and enjoy our beautiful open spaces and be fit and healthy. Huxtable Park will
also receive exercise equipment in conjunction with the neighbours of
Huxtable Park. This is a joint project with that group. Healthy Waterways, we
are investing more than ever before in our Healthy Waterways. Shand Street
along Kedron Brook will be receiving further works in the Healthy Waterways
area.
The Boulevard in Chermside, work is happening there now and will continue
over the next financial year, with more work happening on the
Zillman Waterholes and Somerset Creek. Those opposite seem to think that this
side is not delivering, Madam Chair, but Marchant Ward has certainly turned
around and Bracken Ridge Ward since this—Enoggera Ward, in particular,
Councillor WINES—since this Administration has taken office. Madam Chair,
this initiative of this side of the Chamber with the tip shops has been a great
success.
As we all know as a growing city, waste is becoming an issue of where it goes
and how to manage. This Administration, under Councillor McLACHLAN, is
managing that and winning awards in what they're doing. The tip shop at
Geebung is a fantastic place. I’ve been there quite a few times myself to have a
look through, with over 47,000 visitors. Because of the size of this initiative,
with the two tip shops, we have saved over 380,000 tonnes of waste in our city.
It's always with our kerb side collection too, it's always amazing how one
person's trash is another person's treasure.
So, Madam Chair, this side of the Chamber is doing a lot to deliver for our city,
both north and south and I commend this report.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 106 Chairman:
Sorry. Councillor GRIFFITHS had a misrepresentation.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes. Thanks, Madam Chair. I didn’t actually say that I was asking for more
money for the flood buyback. I actually said we need to look at the criteria and
how we're spending that money.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor SUTTON, my apology.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on Program 1 today, and it's—hope to
do better than comedy hour that we've just heard from the other side of the
Chamber. Look, there are a number of issues that we have with this program
obviously. Among them include some of the flooding—the reductions in
flooding expenditure in terms of preparing our city for this flood—floods.
The Labor Councillors have been very critical about the fact that this—time and
time again this Administration does not prepare for the costs of cleaning up from
storm damage in our city and inclusive of that, we see in this year's budget a
62 per cent drop in proposed expenditure for Catchment Flood Risk
Management Plans. We see a cut of 52 per cent to—on expenses to maintain and
enhance flood models and we see the service item, flooding investigations and
planning for a Flood Smart Future Project cut by 46.6 per cent.
That does not instil us with any great confidence that this city is continuing to
prepare for the flooding issues that we are having. Of course, that is just not—
that is not just river flooding. It is flooding, it is overland flow flooding, it is
creek flooding. We have had some significant—this year, some significant
downpours that has seen overland flooding and stormwater overland flow flood
people's houses that have not previously been flooded. I have had in some of the
severe events earlier this year, we had houses flood in Seven Hills, in
Morningside that had not flooded before.
Had water inside that—inside their homes for the first time in the home owners’
memory and those homeowners had been there for quite some time, so it does
cause some significant concern that this Administration would, as one of its
priorities, is to actually cut the work we are doing on flood-proofing Brisbane.
That is certainly, to me, smacks of wrong priorities under an Administration that
is led by someone who has been around for 30 years.
Of course, need I say, more and more, as this unashamedly pro-development
Administration continues to approve inappropriate develop in our suburbs all the
time, we are actually seeing more and more existing properties that are flooding
as a consequence of that unit development next door to them or just up the road
that never previously flooded. This Administration is lacking sorely when it
comes to flood proofing and—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
No. It's—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
It actually is lacking Soorley's vision. I will say that.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
You guys need to be nice to me. I’m sick. The other thing—moving on. Leaving
that particular—moving on from flooding, we want to talk about delivery and I
did have to laugh when Councillor KING got up and said that they are the
Administration who delivers and, of course, we see yet again in this year's
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 107 budget the requirement to actually include funding for Karawatha Visitors
Centre. Well, it has only been—what is it? Eight years or 10 years? 10 years
since this Administration first started talking about building the Karawatha
Forest and Environmental Centre.
So that leads me to another project funded in this year's budget, which is the
Mount Coot-tha Visitors Information Centre, so I just want to do a little wager
here today. I just want to start taking bets. I will be running a tab to see how
long it's going to take this Administration to actually build the Mount Coot-tha
Visitor Information Centre. Is it going to be five years? Is it going to be 10 years
or are we all still going to be standing here in 15 years time desperately waiting
for somebody to cut a ribbon on that Mount Coot-tha Visitor Information
Centre?
Then we get to grass cuts and all the virtues that the LNP Councillors get up and
say we're doing all these grass cuts, we're doing all these grass cuts. Well,
Madam Chair, this mob gave a mowing contract to people who did not own
mowers. So I think that we should actually wait and see the proof in the pudding
to see if they are actually capable of delivering on what they have promised to
do or what they have funded to do, because I would wager that we are actually
not going to see that amount of cuts.
We are actually going to see more and more—more and more complaints, as we
have in this city in the last calendar year. We are going to continue to see
complaints about this Administration's failure to cut the grass, a basic Council
service.
I have to say, in my experience as a Local Councillor, I have not had so many
complaints as I have recently about not just the fact that the grass is not being
mowed, but when it is being mowed, the mess that they leave behind and the
damage that it does to other people's properties, not to mention the fact that I’ve
actually had to action complaints about people who have seen the grass
contractors toileting themselves in public in view of school children. So I
actually think that we could do far, far better when it comes to cutting the grass
in this city.
Somewhere else that we can do much better is on security lighting and parks
lighting. It was very interesting to get the answers and to get the answers to the
scheduled list of park upgrade works to add up exactly how much money this
Administration will be spending on security lighting in parks this year. Now, in
those list of schedules, there are a couple of projects in there that lighting is only
one aspect of the park upgrade. So from my estimation, this Administration is
spending just slightly less than $800,000 this financial year, this coming
financial year, on security lighting in parks.
About $800,000. That pales in significance to the $1.6 million we're spending on
lighting shows in this city. So this is an example of wrong priorities under the
Liberal National Administration in this place. They would prefer to spend more
money on light shows and fun than making our parks safe with adequate
lighting. That is their—in the suburbs. That is their priority. That is
LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk's been in this place for 30 years. He says, light
shows are more important than upgrading security and providing security
lighting in our Council parks.
I think that that is an absolute example of LORD MAYOR, Graham Quirk's,
mistaken priorities for this city. Moving on to waste and litter, and I know
Councillor McLACHLAN likes to get up and spruik this Administration's litter
protection—litter credentials.
We all read the civic cabinet minutes that went from Campbell Newman's time,
where every Monday morning there was an assessment across the city about
how many cigarette butts Campbell Newman actually had to see on his way into
the city, in the way into City Hall and how much extra resources we needed for
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 108 that, but I have to say, in my experience, as Councillor GRIFFITHS has
indicated, we actually could do a lot better when it comes to litter collection. An
example of this struck me just this week.
On Saturday morning I drove past the rail overpass near Morningside just down
the road it was clearly obvious that there had been a group of people sitting
under a tree near that rail overpass on Friday night and they had left a collection
of bottles and I thought, given that we had the budget, I thought, normally, I
would call that in. I would call that in and say, someone needs to go and clean
up that area. I thought, no. No. I'll wait. I'll see what our friends—I won't call it
on this occasion. I'll wait to see how long it takes our Council to proactively
pick up that litter. I'll wait. I'll wait.
So that was—I saw it on Saturday morning and it's a rather significant pile of
bottles, I would say. They clearly had—they were clearly there for the long haul.
It's now—I drove past it this morning. It's still there. So I’m just wondering
whether or not—how long it will be or whether or not as a consequence of
raising it here in the Chamber today someone might actually spring into action
to get it sorted, Madam Chair—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
—because I just thought that was a good—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
—test. I thought that might be a good test, just to see how proactive we are at
collecting litter in this city. Just to see how—but moving on to some—moving
on to some local projects. Well, I welcome in this program the funding for the
backflow valve Jamieson Street, it is long overdue. There have been homes that
have been flooded since the 2011 flood—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, your time has expired. Thank you.
Councillor MARX?
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, and I rise to speak on Program 1, Clean Green
and Water Smart City. I actually today have in front of me the—Kim Marx
Team Quirk Karawatha Ward promises, election promises for the 2012 election.
It states quite clearly, deliver the Karawatha Environment Centre at
Karawatha Park. So I’ve been here since 2012, so that's when my clock started
on this and my reckoning—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Order. Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor MARX:
My reckoning, we have eight months and 25 days left of this term to deliver that
promise. So my invitation to everyone here in the place, and I know that most of
the other Councillors on the other side will not actually be here by the time 2016
rolls around, so you have an open invitation in your retirement years, in your
retirement years, which you’re leaving here on your own accord in your
retirement years, come down to the Karawatha Ward, come to the discovery
centre and I will make you a coffee and show you around. I'm—yes, instant
coffee. Yes. I’m just an instant kind of girl.
So the point I’m making is that this is a centre that construction is underway and
my residents out there are more than happy with the Administration and the
work we're doing here at this place. It's also quite interesting that of all the
debate that's happened here this morning from the other side, 90 per cent of it
has been about the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre, so I’m pleased now that
my ward has got such great recognition out there, because everyone loves
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 109 talking about it. I'm very happy about that, because I know when I became the
Councillor, it was a little known ward.
It was very rarely spoke about. The Council call centre didn’t even know where
it was, so now everyone is talking about Karawatha and I think that that's a good
thing.
Moving
on
to
rubbish,
annual
kerbside
collection.
Councillor McLACHLAN mentioned that it's a little talked about subject as far
as rubbish goes and he is right, but—and he says, out of sight, out of mind, but I
can rest assured, Councillor McLACHLAN that if we're not doing it, the
residents let us know. So it's one of those things that when it's not there, you
don’t notice it. We're certainly delivering on that and my residents are extremely
happy.
I also want to go to page 145 of the budget book, which talks about the
Conservation Reserves Management program. Quite clearly it shows there's
almost $500,000 just delivering in the Karawatha Ward alone in the forest area
on conservation reserves management. Now, my last looking at the map,
Karawatha is on the south side, as is the Parkinson Ward is on the south side. So
to say that the south side is getting nothing, I think, is a furphy.
I think the budget book speaks for itself and I want to commend the Chair's and
the Council's officers on the all the work that they do, not only in our wards, but
the city as a whole. I think this budget is a great example of how the
LORD MAYOR is delivering for our city. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I also wish to enter the debate.
Madam Chair, the first item I'd like to discuss is the climate change item. Hang
on. I’m just trying to get my pages up. Yes. Thank you. Madam Chair, in
2013-14, there was $17 million put aside for the first two items in terms of
managing climate change. This year, Madam Chair, we see a drop from
$12 million last year to $9.2 million this year. A drop of almost $3 million and,
Madam Chair, I’m very aware that is because the federal government money
that was to help with the LED traffic lights project is no longer here.
But, Madam Chair, the point is that this Administration is only putting money
into climate change when they're getting funding from the Federal Government.
Surely, there are more projects that they could actually be undertaking in this
really important national and global issue. An issue, Madam Chair, that this
Council was very proud to be leading, both in local government and in State
responses. Well, those days are well and truly gone.
But, Madam Chair, it was interesting to hear that the Chair said that there had
been an increase in funding, which is contrary to the lack of the $3 million and
that was for one item, which was for the sustainability events, which has gone
from $599,000 to $623,000. Interesting the increase was not itemised by the
chair. That's an increase of $24,000. Madam Chair, that's just twice CPI. I would
suggest that's almost volumetric changes. It would not be something within this
whole program I would actually be saying is an increase, as the Chair was
wishing us to believe.
But, Madam Chair, let's just look at what the CitySmart Proprietary Limited,
who is the agency that is responsible for Council's climate change initiatives in
these two programs. Madam Chair, if you go to the website, you can see that
there are 14 staff associated with CitySmart Proprietary Limited. Put aside the
CEO and their PA, you’ve got seven staff that have marketing or event skills
management that Council is funding. Madam Chair, in those seven staff, the
website very clearly in their annual report advises what they have done.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 110 Four newsletters per year, two City fair events that we're very aware and we
have every year two City fair events, one on the south and one on the north. So
that should be a fairly procedural thing to organise. As well as that, they
organise Clean Up Australia Day. Seven staff, Madam Chair. Four newsletters,
two fairs and Clean Up Australia Day. Is this value for money? But what's more,
the LORD MAYOR in his speech said that he was announcing two new
programs under the CitySmart initiatives.
One, Reduce Your Juice, was to work with young people and it would have a
saving of 19 per cent of their annual electricity bill. The other one,
Madam Chair, was a program called Live For Less and that was itemised in the
budget document. But, Madam Chair, if you go to the CitySmart website, in the
newsletter for March 2014, so that's 15 months ago, it stated that there was
$6.5 million for a low income energy efficiency program, which was to deliver
innovative approaches to help vulnerable young renters have behavioural change
to reduce their energy.
In June 2014 newsletter, Madam Chair, 12 months ago, that was rebadged as
Reduce Your Juice program. So now we're having the LORD MAYOR, a year
later, announcing a program that no one has known about, because you don’t
know anything, which is my final point, Madam Chair, of the funding that we
have put into CitySmart. Is there any annual report brought to Council? Is there
any outcomes or outputs brought to Council? Is there any achievements brought
to Council? No, Madam Chair.
This is the biggest amount of money that is completely unaccountable and we
have no access and, Madam Chair, it is not on the website either. So I am really
concerned—and I think it's quite legit, for the residents of Brisbane, who are
forking out $4.4 million, to know whether they're achieving value for the dollars
that Council is investing in this project.
Madam Chair, the next issue that I would wish to talk about is the issue of the
parks and the allocation of funding in the parks. Because, Madam Chair, there
has been a theme very much for the Opposition Councillors, very much saying
that some wards are getting no money and that there is a deficiency of an
expenditure in the southern suburbs. So, Madam Chair, if you just have a quick
look at the schedules for the capital expenditure in parks it reveals interesting
information. The parks asset, maintenance and rehabilitation have 20 projects in
Liberal wards and five in Labor wards; that's a ratio of one to four.
Now before the Chair gets up and says, well it is proportion to the numbers of
Councillors may I point out that that ratio is one to three. So in theory unless
there is for some reason that the Liberal wards after all this time of a Liberal
Administration, who have been putting money into it, suddenly there was some
reason for them to have all of the equipment and all of the need to be different
from Labor Councillors, I would suggest there should be an equity of roughly
two thirds to that side of the Chamber and one third to this side of the Chamber.
So the first one, the strike rate was five to 20. The park infrastructure facilities
and landscape, the strike rate is 26 to the Liberals, four to Councillors on this
side. Councillor, I am including the Tennyson Ward on the Councillors on this
side. It gets worse; Play Safe, 11 Play Safe projects to Liberals, and one, and I'm
very delighted, it is in my ward, one on this side of the Chamber. The upgrades
to neighbourhood parks, 77 to Liberal wards and 13 to Labor. Madam Chair,
that never, on any of these projects ever goes anywhere near that two thirds to
one third ratio.
Councillor BOURKE:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order against you Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Yes, Councillor?
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 111 Councillor BOURKE:
Will Councillor ABRAHAMS take a question?
Chairman
Councillor ABRAHAMS?
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
If I have time at the end, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, this is clearly pork barrelling of park projects in the budget
coming up to the election. There is no other way to justify and to explain away
these figures. Shame on you, shame on you as Administration. It is so extreme
that it is—
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order, against you Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Yes, Councillor SIMMONDS?
Councillor SIMMONDS:
This is quite clearly imputing motive and quite insulting frankly.
Chairman:
Yes, yes.
Councillor ABRAHAMS please get back to the debate.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, I just have one more comment and then I will move on.
Madam Chair, the LORD MAYOR is elected to represent all of the people in all
of the wards appropriately. This is not in one of the issues that residents may
switch and that is expenditure of parks in their area. So, Madam Chair, it is
extremely disappointing.
Finally, Madam Chair, again we have a huge expenditure in the key city parks
by about $11 million. Every year that expenditure is never itemised, never given
to the residents, never showing just where that funding is going. Madam Chair,
for $11 million not to be highlighted, to be kept in secret, not to be transparent, I
think is unacceptable and it's no wonder when you have a carryover of $1.7
million in that project.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS your time has expired. Thank you. Further debate?
Councillor KNAPP.
Councillor KNAPP:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I rise to speak on all of the elements
within this terrific program, Clean, Green and WaterSmart City and the waste.
Madam Chair, we are a city. We are made up of various wards where we're all
absolutely passionate about providing the things, particularly the playgrounds
and the parks within our wards. I for one, over 18 years being starved while I
was in Opposition, managed to squirrel away money through various things and
replace all of the playgrounds in my ward.
I'm delighted that the playgrounds in my ward are receiving some funding
because they now need some replacement. Particularly I'm delighted there is
$150,000 allocated for the funding in relation to Walton Bridge which is the
historic park; Walton Bridge is 110 years old, for us to actually engage and
continue the engagement about what we are going to do. Now there is an
expectation somewhere along the line that some parks should have $3 million
spent on them.
The reality is that most of our parks, unless they are regional parks, have about
$200,000 to $300,000 spent on them; some of it is play equipment, some of it is
sport equipment, some of it is exercise equipment but, Madam Chair—
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 112 Chairman:
Order. Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor KNAPP:
—what has been funded in my ward and I am not going to detail the parks—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KNAPP:
—within my ward, has been a modest amount which really reflects the way that
I think my parks should be managed. Madam Chair, we talk about a clean, green
city and I don't know whether I'm reading the same budget book as everybody
else, however we're putting $4.5 million towards 100 per cent green power.
We're paying the carbon offset. We're doing our compliance and administration
to make the city green. The integrated environment management in relation to
make that a sustainable Brisbane.
If we talk about the Green Heart which came out of us, out of our side,
Madam Chair, the Green Heart city, the concept of how you engage, we fund the
Green Heart operation but we've got the Green Heart homes and schools. What a
terrific program is that, Madam Chair. The Green Heart sustainability invests
and I know that we got the money from the Federal Government for Live for
Less for Seniors to understand how they could manage it. What a terrific
program, Madam Chair.
The conservation reserves, now the bushland acquisition as we all know started
with Sallyanne Atkinson but it was picked up by Jim Soorley and it provided
Karawatha Forest. It's got the koala bushlands, the amount of land that's been
acquired through this amazing program, now needs to be managed. Madam
Chair, I see that we are actually going to spend $1.98 million in relation to
managing all of those weeds on those conservation reserves that we've acquired
along through the way because what is the point of acquiring that land if we
don't maintain it.
So there's community conservation assistance. There's the reserves management
program. Now we've all got reserves. We're all going to benefit from the work
that is going to be done in relation to that and it's $4.389 million. That's a lot of
money. I know that they were doing $242,000 in Mt Coot-tha. We all love
Mt Coot-tha. I think Karawatha is terrific. I don't begrudge the fact that money
is being spent across all the reserves in Brisbane. It's about us as a whole city
and then we come to the minutiae of us Councillors.
I go, my residents go to the bushland up through and walk through Mt Coot-tha.
Everyone that comes to Brisbane goes to Mt Coot-tha. They go up to Brisbane
Forest Park. They walk up through all the bushland. It's our responsibility as a
government to actually fund these things that don't necessarily come down to
what's in my ward. I'm appalled today that my last day or second last day of a
Council debate, to hear the paucity of debate and the criticism and whining that
is going on in respect to actually what's being funded.
Madam Chair, you know, I need to talk about the drainage. I need to talk about
we all want to protect the bay. However, the program in relation to drainage,
local drainage construction, major drainage construction. Now I've been—I will
admit that I rat run through Paddington rather than going down
Waterworks Road. So I know Paddington and Red Hill quite well. The amount
of money that's been spent over the last five budgets to actually implement
major drainage in an 1890s development which had no drainage at all. The last
of the drainage on the hill through from Red Hill down through to Milton is in
the last piece of drainage.
We talk about houses flooding. We talk about creek flooding. We talk about
river flooding. River flooding is a different issue. We all understand that the
valves and all of that thing, it's a once in 50 years. It just so happened in 2011
the river flooded after 1974. Now I accept, Madam Chair, and I've been here
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 113 long enough and you have been long enough here to know that creek flooding
floods in a different way. The relationship to how much we manage a
300 millimetres in a day event is actually reflected in what we're going to do in
relation to local drainage construction.
So that when it rains in our suburbs and when there's overland flow, we have the
drainage capacity that will stop that, will minimise or minimise all of that
drainage that occurs. Can you spend it all at once I hear—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor KNAPP:
I hear the Councillor from the other side who has paucity again on her part of
the debate in relation to her failing to understand that the schedules and things
that are done through the stormwater management is about how we protect most
of the city in relation to the one-off event; 50 millimetres in an hour is what our
drains will cope with. Any more than 50 millimetres in an hour our drains won't
cope. Can you increase the capacity of the drain? We'd all like that but we
couldn't afford it.
So the reality is we need to have a consistency in respect to that. I am very
pleased about the major vegetation management because as you know,
Madam Chair, you and all of us who have these amazing groups that work on
the creek and plant the creeks out, we need to have weeds taken out. We need to
manage how the creeks actually operate. The dream is to have a creek that has
been restored—like some of your creeks—that function in a way a creek should
function, Madam Chair.
So I think that the stormwater drains—the gully reconstruction, heavens above,
that's an easy thing isn't it? You go out and somebody says there's water running
over the road and we look at it and say yes, well we need to put another gully in
to take it down through the stormwater to go to the creek. How you manage the
creek as that stormwater goes to it is the issue in relation to how you rifle it
round so that it actually doesn't—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor KNAPP:
—destroy the creeks, Madam Chair. I love the fact, Madam Chair, that all of this
budget, all of this budget, recognises how we live in this sustainable city, how
we as a Council basically understand that it's our role to actually provide the
things, that basic infrastructure. The playgrounds in the parks are terrific. The
sporting fields through Councillor ADAMS are terrific. It's the grants we give
people. It's the supporting of my groups that go out and work on the creeks.
It is about all of that and, Madam Chair, I can't get over the fact that today I am
sitting here listening to, well you haven't done this and you haven't done that,
when quite clearly across the city we all benefit, we all benefit by work that's
spent. Will I go to Karawatha new bushland? Well I might come and have a visit
but I'm very excited about the Mt Coot-tha Visitor Centre because that is where
tourists go and we need to encourage tourists into our city.
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens is amazing. Do I
regret that it's in my ward that it's not in my ward? Of course I do, I'd love it in
my ward. However it's adjacent to my ward and I love going to the gardens. I
take visitors to the gardens. I take them down to the foreshores. Did I begrudge
that $24 million was spent down in the foreshores as part of this budget in
Campbell Newman's time? No, I don't because I go places. I just don't go to the
parks in my ward. I just don't go to the—I'm not myopic. I love—I've got
grandchildren. Have park will go to.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 114 We love Frew Park. We think Frew Park is terrific. We have cricket games
there. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Councillor KNAPP your time has expired.
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak on Program 1 today and it's an honour
to follow on from Councillor KNAPP who has years of experience and wisdom,
in particular this portfolio. I note listening to Councillor KNAPP today that
when she was in Opposition she just welcomed all, every budget that came
down. There were no complaints and there were no issues raised. So as I always
say I did learn something from Councillor KNAPP. However, Madam Chair, I
want to focus on a few things today in the budget, particularly in service
delivery.
The LORD MAYOR and this Council likes to be congratulated and seeks the
approval constantly for the job that they've done and we've heard that today
through the debate with speaker after speaker. I will come back to some of the
items mentioned by LNP Councillors today. My issue is—and I take a different
view from Councillor KNAPP—we are sent as advocates and as agents of our
local communities to get the best possible deal that we can. Unlike
Councillor KNAPP I don't see it as just, well if a park is upgraded on the far
north-west of Brisbane that is good for my residents.
Well my residents have sent me here and just as every other Councillor has been
elected into this place to get the best possible deal from them out of this
Council. Now on any objective view when going through the program and
service items, you can see that the LNP say one thing on budget day and one
thing during the Council budget. Then for the rest of the year they cut back and
then they rollover year after year. That's what happens when you've been in
Administration for 12 long years or you've had someone who's been in the
Council for 30 years. That's what happens. You get tired, you get lazy and you
run out of ideas. So you get into bad habits. That's what I would say.
You only need to look at particular in areas that I'm concerned about, about the
areas of flooding and we've had a lot of discussion about that today. It was only
a matter of weeks ago that we saw major drainage under Item 1.7.1.5 and also
1.7.1.6 when we saw the items come before in the third budget review that they
were cut. Now we also saw an increase in revenue of $2.738 million. So as I
said at the time, the Council taking more money in, spending less.
Now that would be okay if we could have some honesty from LNP Councillors
to say you know what, we have gone out, we have cut back and we put this
money back into this budget. But to simply say, look at us, look at all the new
money that we're spending is not the facts. So that's the big concerns that I have.
It's not just in Program 1, it's right across the budget. When we saw that budget
review come in, Madam Chair, we saw $26 million of capital expenditure rolled
over. Now that is a huge amount in anyone's language and there was lots of
criticism from the Liberal Party when, the then Liberal Party, when they were in
Opposition but now they seem to say well that's okay.
Well we don't say that's good enough, Madam Chair. Listening to the debate
today yes, there has been some discussion. I'll have to come back to
Councillor KING who right on cue, I took bets, about a minute into the speech
she started talking about me so I'll have to return the favour. I was listening
closely to what Councillor KING said and she said, no one sat on the grass in
King George Square. Did we all hear that? No one sat on the grass in
King George—I correct the record she's saying—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor KING.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 115 Councillor DICK:
Sorry, I should correct the record and I want to be accurate. She said it was
always fenced off. So here's a tip, Madam Chair, if you're going to make those
claims, you need to be able to back it up. That would be fair. So all you need to
do is google people sitting on the grass in King George Square. What do you
find? Well, people sitting on the grass in King George Square. All you need to
do is google ‘do people sit on the grass in King George Square?’ Here's another
picture of people sitting on the grass in King George Square.
So, Madam Chair, I go on. You need to google—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
Fountains, grass, people sitting in King George Square. What do you have? A
fountain, grass and people sitting in King George Square.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
Well we've just had the interjection from the DEPUTY MAYOR that we've now
built seats for people to sit on. So we've now built seats for people to sit on,
concrete, in King Georg Square. Well here's a tip also for the
DEPUTY MAYOR, no one sits on them, someone sits on the seats on the
concrete in King George Square.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
So no one—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
So you can build all the seats you want, you can build all the concrete you want,
no one uses it. No one uses it.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
Here we go. So we're going to have the debate today—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
—on King George Square. Well you know, that's a great debate to have.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order
Councillor DICK:
Because when it comes to—well no one does sit on the seats—are you—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
Take a stroll down there in the middle of summer—
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 116 Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
So the LNP's policy is that King George Square should only be used in winter.
That's the only time we should use King George Square, on cloudy days in the
middle, on the coldest day of the year, you may find people sitting there. Well
done Team QUIRK. Well done. Well done. Because, Madam Chair, I know by
listening—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
—I know by listening to Brisbane residents they do want grass in King George
Square and those opposite are anti-fountains. We know that because who can
remember the Queen Street Mall fountain, remember that one? Who ripped that
out? Who took that out? Of course Campbell Newman. Of course. So when you
want to come in here and have a serious debate about what you need to do to
improve the accessibility, to improve where people can actually enjoy the CBD,
start looking out the front door because only a Labor Administration will ensure
that grass is built, will ensure that there is a water feature as part of King George
Square. The only people—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
—talking about that of course is not someone who's been here for 30 years
who's in denial just like those opposite. It's Rod Harding, who will ensure that
we see grass and a fountain properly restored into King George Square. But,
Madam Chair, the other issue for me that I want to talk about today, and we had
a little bit of debate today about this, is 1.4.3.1 Parks Maintenance and
Enhancement on page 25 of the budget. So we know that there are
approximately 3,784 grass cutting complaints up to 8 June this financial year.
We know from media reports that grass cutting complaints have more than
doubled this financial year.
So, Madam Chair, whilst again the LNP would like a pat on the back for their
job of cutting grass we know it's a completely different story out across the city,
because you only need to look at some of the media reports which show that this
Council was found guilty of issuing a grass mowing contract to a company that
didn't own mowers. So we know when you cut $5 million from contract you get
this sort of headline; extreme risk; companies get Brisbane's grass cutting
contracts. Internal documents have revealed that the Brisbane City Council
awarded grass cutting contracts to three companies considered an extreme risk.
We know, Madam Chair, from listening to residents when it comes to 1.4.3.1
Parks Maintenance and Enhancement the LNP are found wanting because they
simply can't cut the grass in our city. We've seen that through complaints not
only in our own wards but now a record double amount of complaints that have
come into the Brisbane City Council. These are publicly accessible documents
which now clearly show that the LNP have botched the most basic of services
which is of course grass cutting.
We know that there was one case, a supplier in Brisbane's south and surprise,
surprise, guess which ward had one of the worst rates of grass cutting?
Richlands Ward. In one case a supplier in Brisbane south won a $330,000
roadside cutting contract when the existing rate was nearly $900,000. So in a
desperate attempt, in a desperate attempt to save money, all they've done is
ultimately cost the ratepayers more by then having to go and clean up this mess.
Well we don't say that's good enough. We don't think under 1.4.3.1 on page 25
of the budget residents are getting value for money.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 117 At the end of the day, we all serve here in a privileged capacity and as I come
back to my initial remarks, it is our job; it is incumbent on us to go in and fight
as hard as we can, which allows me to talk about the Karawatha Environment
Centre.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK your time has expired.
Councillor DICK:
Almost.
Chairman:
Councillor McKENZIE?
Councillor McKENZIE:
Thanks, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on Program 1 but first I've just got to
make a few comments about what I've been hearing this morning. Look, it
comes as no surprise to hear the same old arguments year after year after year
from the Opposition. This time we've got carryovers, playing politics, overland
flow as a result of the worst downfall in 25 years, grass cuts. My goodness me.
When I cut my grass it's shorter if I cut it twice a week than it is if I cut it once a
week. We've increased grass cuts. Complaining about officers not doing their
job. Not being proactive in doing their job.
I say Councillor SUTTON you should be the one who's out there phoning that
mess in, not waiting for the Council to come around to do it. They've got plenty
of other things to do. We've seen a liturgy of undated photos being passed
around, climate change is not on the agenda? That's hard to believe. Seeking
approval from residents; of course the Opposition never try and do that. The
ALP never tried to seek approval from their residents. It's just been a cheap shot
of show and tell photos we've seen today.
Perhaps some of the thinking people in the Opposition don't understand what the
economic problem is. The economic problem is there's always more demands
than there is money to meet those demands. We've been meeting added demands
from residents year after year and we're doing it in a quiet and effective way.
For example this LORD MAYOR has established and implemented polices that
combine for the convenience of modern living that our residents expect to
obtain.
This Administration measures and minimises carbon producing emissions. For
example emissions from Council vehicles, bus and ferries are offset to the
purchase of accredited carbon offsets. All electricity directly purchased by
Council will continue to be emission free. That is green power. Through the
Green Heart program, Council encourages residents, schools, businesses,
community groups they're encouraged to change their behaviour and be more
carbon and environmentally sensitive. Our Sustainable Brisbane is being
achieved through an expenditure of $561,000 this budget.
By protecting the biodiversity of our ecosystems and wildlife whilst allowing
people to enjoy the amenities, is an ongoing challenge. This Administration has
established a number of well-connected conservation reserves. Also through the
Bushland Preservation Levy which was mentioned in some detail, Council is
acquiring land of significant biodiversity value to ensure that it will stay in its
present state for future generations to enjoy. Our urban forests support
recreation, education, economic vitality, waterway health and an outdoor
lifestyle to complement our subtropical city.
An example of course is Mt Coot-tha which covers some 8,000 hectares. As
well as being a significant green space, it is an enjoyable tourist attraction.
Council will expend over $118 million in parks, gardens, recreation in this
budget. This includes the maintenance of over 2,000 parks covering 6,000
hectares of urban parks and 9,000 hectares of conservation areas. I look with
pride, Madam Chairman, at my parks in the Holland Park Ward;
C.B. Mott Park, Glindemann Park, Tarana Street Park and Kanumbra Park, two
smaller parks which are receiving upgrades during this Council budget.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 118 Council is now responsible for the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens which has
been expanded, Roma Street Parklands and the South Bank Parklands all of
which are prime destinations for eco tourists in Brisbane, as well as recreational
education and where important horticultural activities are undertaken. Council's
tree planting program has resulted in a massive 575,000 street trees which
reduce street temperature and provide beautiful street avenues. Although our
water emergency has diminished, water conservation and use is always on the
agenda in a modern society.
Council's WaterSmart programs want to turn our city into the most water
conscious city in Australia. To work towards this goal, this budget, Council
continues to engage the community and professional groups to make them aware
of how best to conserve and use this precious resource. In addition to the
important activities of raising awareness and supporting events of water
activities, Council is contributing to the city's stormwater harvesting program in
conjunction with the Federal Government.
Thompson Estate sports grounds in Greenslopes and Mott Park, both in my ward
of Holland Park, have had water harvesting infrastructure connected which is a
great boon for the area, and will provide water to the Annerley Soccer Club and
the grounds of the Holland Park Bowls Club and the nearby Mott Park
Recreation area.
One of the most important activities of this Council is managing and reducing
waste and litter. Working towards zero waste is achieved by our annual kerbside
collection; $6.2 million of domestic waste; 32,000 pickups per month, green
waste and recyclables. Council operates engineered landfills; the Tip Shop
diverts some 350 tonnes from landfill and that costs $1.2 million; transfer
stations and resource recovery centres. We encourage residents to reduce, reuse
and recycle. Council offers a range of bins to residents to meet their goals. There
are significant revenues generated from this recycling, from over $69,500 being
taken up in Brisbane alone.
Overall operating expenditures of the city's waste management and reduction in
2015-16 is proposed to be $115 million with revenue of $130 million. However,
the ultimate test is the cleanliness of our city, inner cleanliness of our city, is the
pride with which most residents have living in a clean and environmentally
friendly city. In conclusion I wish to recognise the work of Council officers who
work in this area. I'm pleased to support this budget expenditure in Program 1 in
this Administration budget. It is without doubt one of the clearest pointers to
LORD MAYOR QUIRK's commitment to a healthy and progressive New
World City.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. Madam Chair. I refer to Item 1.9 Waste
Management and you probably heard me say this before but Council continues
to discriminate against business ratepayers. All ratepayers pay the $296.68 it is
per annum for waste management charge; it's page 240 of the budget. However
the poor old second class citizen, the business ratepayers only get a general
waste bin. They're not entitled to a recycle bin or to pay for a second recycle bin
like residential ratepayers.
They're not entitled to a green bin like residential ratepayers. They should be
entitled to the same services as residential ratepayers, as they are paying the
same amount of money or perhaps they should get a discount in their waste
management charge. They're probably getting a service worth probably about
50 per cent of what the residential ratepayers get.
Madam Chairman, the other matter in that Item 1.9 is the cost of kerbside large
items collection and the costs seem to be getting out of hand. The amount
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 119 budgeted for this year is some seven per cent, 7.83 per cent higher than last year
and the future cost increases in that item are 3.5 per cent, 3.5 and 4.5 per cent,
which on currently the way the economy is running, that would be significantly
in excess of the inflation rates. So I'm concerned about the costs being run up
and why they're getting so much higher each year.
Also during the information session Councillor McLACHLAN I believe said
that Council is starting to struggle to get people who are prepared to take all the
green waste that's being supplied. I'm concerned about that as well I don't know
what happens when the green waste being generated from green waste bins
exceed what they can get suppliers to take. Is it going to just get dumped in the
general dumps and generate methane gas? So what's going to happen there?
The other item I'd like to refer to is on stormwater 1.7. We always used to have
an item there about stormwater ICP expenditure. We used to list how much was
spent on stormwater ICP and have a list of schedules. Then it had another figure
of the amount which had been raised by Council through stormwater ICP
charges. I guess it was a bit of an easy mark for the Opposition because the
amount that it raised in revenue always far exceeded the amount being spent
each financial year.
This is obviously, Madam Chairman, the developers I guess who are being
ripped off. Money for their projects was being taken from them and it was being
spent in other parts of the city but this year I guess it's got a bit inconvenient for
the Administration for this point to be made each year so now they've taken the
figure out. But they haven't identified now the infrastructure charge amount. It
says stormwater infrastructure; not stormwater, ICP infrastructure. So it's
presumably now other than ICP as well goes in there. The amount for the
revenue raised has disappeared.
Now we were told during information sessions that the amount for revenue had
been transferred to 1.7.2.5 but the figure shown there was only $9.62 million.
Now in the last year's budget, the figure was, for this financial year for ICP
revenue for stormwater was shown to be $13.714 million. So if that's the case,
that means that the revenue expected this year is 32.5 per cent less than what it
was anticipated to be last year. Now that really does take some explaining.
I haven't heard anyone saying that the amount of development in the city of
Brisbane is going to collapse so that the revenue coming in from ICP charges
will be declining by such a large amount. So I'd like some explanation of that.
There are some other interesting and disappointing figures in flood risk
management, $1.7 million. The planning for future infrastructure has been
greatly reduced from $6.9 million in capital in 2014-15 to poultry $3.902 in
2015-16. That's a 43.5 per cent discount—fall, sorry. That, to me, means that the
Administration has stopped planning new projects. That's a very short-sighted
approach and in the long term could be a disastrous approach.
Also in relation to service 1.7.2.2, maintain and rehabilitate open drainage,
there's also been a big drop. $7.535 million was budgeted for 2014-15, but only
$6.47 million spent. No wonder Council was receiving so many complaints
about overgrown drains with a drop of 14 per cent of the funds spent on this
activity. Mitigate flooding, 1.7.2.4, the project cyclic de-silting of waterways
and draining disappears. So I'm interested to know what's happening there.
The other item in 1.7.2.6, reconstruct gullies sees another big drop in capital
expenditure. This is one of the most practical areas of Council responsibility and
expenditure. In 2014-15 it was budgeted at $1.541 million and sadly in 2015-16
it's down to $1.364, a drop of 11.49 per cent. So, on these items, the LNP budget
means down, down, down for drainage expenditure, despite the frequency of
extreme weather events going up, up and up. So only a couple of months ago I
think we had a one in 200 year storm, so it's a great shame for this
Administration to be cutting expenditure in that area.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 120 In relation to the schedules under this Program 1, there's one that I'd like to
comment on. It's page 151.6.3.1, Davenport Drive, Manly's got $174,000 for a
fishing platform, and this is great news. This is great news, especially because
we've been waiting for it for about 10 years since Campbell Newman first
promised it. So, my heart leapt and I excitedly rang up my fishing contact and
said, mate, the money's in the budget. The money's in the budget. This is my
local—not Councillor FLESSER.
I said, the money's in the budget, $174,000, it looks like the fishing platform's
going to be done after all this time. He said, great, I'll just contact my contact in
the Council and just confirm that. He got back to me and said—and they said,
that'll only cover the first stage. I thought, oh no, you're joking. You're joking,
after—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor CUMMING:
After all that time—and of course this is pre-election expenditure, this might be
a hope for a bit of PR for someone down the track. So I've got no faith,
unfortunately, for the second half. So I'm worried we'll end up with a fishing
platform with a—they'll be building the platform somewhere but there'll be no
pylons to put it on, or else they'll build the pylons and there'll be no platform.
It'll be a place for the birds to sit on.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor CUMMING:
Well yes, to be fair, the local pelicans, they're entitled to somewhere to sit and if
they get a new place to sit, that could be a good thing. But look, I just ask the
LORD—and I know he's not here, but I just want to put on the record I'm asking
the LORD MAYOR, look, fund the second stage as well mate and get it all done
this financial year. I'll come down with you and help you launch this great
initiative, this great fishing platform.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor CUMMING:
I'll even borrow a rod or a reel or a hand-line off of Councillor FLESSER and
we'll go down there, see who can catch the first fish; myself or the
LORD MAYOR. So a good expenditure for Wynnum Manly but disappointing
that it's only the first stage again, thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of Program 1
of the 2015-16 Council Budget. Madam Chairman, I just have to set the record
straight. I need to put some facts on the table before we proceed into discussing
all the wonderful things in this program area. Madam Chairman, at exactly
11:50am this morning when Councillor DICK was on his feet in the Chamber
making the statement that no one sits in King George Square, I have
photographic evidence which proves on a small section of King George Square,
17 people were sitting and there were more—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: There were more but they were obscured by the foliage of the trees in
King George Square, Madam Chairman.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Here we have some evidence, Madam Chairman. So that is the fact. There are
people sitting—there are people sitting—
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 121 Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Yes, Councillor DICK, we will frame it as a going away present for you,
no problems there. Madam Chairman, can I also address some of
Councillor ABRAHAMS'—so we've got a departing Opposition leader, the
current Deputy Leader of the Opposition made an insulting comment of pork
barrelling in regards to park projects and projects across this program area.
This is an insult to the Council officers who work behind the scenes, who put
forward—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: —a lot of projects from their priority list. Not every project is put forward by a
Councillor in this place. I know that the Council officers behind the scenes work
incredibly hard and it is insulting because you've just had one of your members
of your side of this Chamber get up and say, thank you for the fishing platform,
the first stage that's going through.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: We have the Shorncliffe Pier that's going through in 2015-16, $6.491 million
worth and yet you're not acknowledging that that is not pork barrelling; that is
addressing needs across this city, Madam Chairman.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: You have the former leader of the Labor opposition in this place get up and talk
about cuts and carry on. What does she want to do? She wants to cut the litter
munching machines and make our Council officers use brooms. Shame,
Madam Chairman. They forget some of the things that they say and do in this
place. Who was it that approved the King George Square redevelopment? It was
a Labor dominated Civic Cabinet in this place.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Let's remember the facts. Let's remember the facts. Whilst we're on the facts in
this place—whilst we're on the facts of this place, let's look at what happened
post the 2011 floods, and let's not get into the politics of envy as the Councillor
for Tennyson has done, and making the statement that some wards are so
heavily provided with projects and others are being ignored. What happened
after the 2011 floods? Whose ward got the majority of the funding for
restoration projects, to build communities back up after the floods? It was the
ward of Tennyson, Madam Chairman.
So let's be truthful—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: I'm going to correct the record as well. Councillor GRIFFITHS made an
incorrect inference that I was agreeing with him. I certainly did not and I
certainly can speak for myself in this place. I don't need him making any
inferences and making them incorrectly.
Madam Chairman, I would like to speak in support of this program area. In
particular when we go back to 1.3.1, growing the conservation reserve network,
and I was quite appalled at the Councillor for Tennyson's amendment that she
put forward because there are critical conservation reserves through our city,
and in particular I speak of the Sergeant Dan Stiller Memorial Reserve and I am
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 122 grateful for that being in my ward and I am grateful that it acknowledges a great
man who contributed his service to our city and our state and it is an
environmental reserve that is reflected to honour his name. There is $261,000
for fire preparedness and also the conservation reserve management, because
that area is growing, Madam Chairman, and there's about another 80 hectares to
be added onto it shortly.
Madam Chairman, in respect of outcome 1.4, parks, gardens and recreation, I
would like to reflect on the Forest Lake Amphitheatre and the new memorial,
the RSL memorial that is in that place. We did a major refurbishment and that
has been extremely well received by the local community. Just reflecting on
page 23 and some of the statements in there; Brisbane's parks and public open
spaces reflect our subtropical lifestyle and are available to all. The acquisition
and embellishment of parkland across the city responds to patterns of population
growth and development and the demand for a range of outdoor activities
through sound and positive effective network planning.
As Brisbane grows, community appreciation of and need for accessible public
parks with a greater diversity of facilities becomes more evident. Council is
committed to maximising community benefit from our green and open space
and will continue to deliver an accessible and connected network. Also, that we,
when we're dealing with our urban parks, adopt a planned approach to
improving existing parks, to optimise community benefits and meet the diverse
recreational and cultural needs of an ever-increasing population.
Madam Chairman, there are a number of park improvements in my ward, but
particularly when I look at program area 1.4.3.1, maintaining the lake systems in
the parks. Before I was elected, how much funding was there to do this in the
budget from previous Administrations? Zero, zilch, nada, nothing. So,
Madam Chairman, I am pleased to not only see there is funding, not only in this
year's budget, but also in the forwards. Because I know, pre-being elected that
the Forest Lake lake was like a carpet of weeds across the top of it. Can I say,
Councillor BOURKE, through you, Madam Chair, that the residents are
extremely pleased that it is now very clear and we have regular weed
maintenance over there.
I'd also like to reflect in regards to the park infrastructure. The Forest Lake
Boulevard toilets on the sports field side will be upgraded to meet Disability
Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) compliance for $242,000. We will also see play
safe upgrades in Lakewood Avenue Park. We will also see, in Calamvale
District Park a new innovative extension to the toilets there. Which will
certainly be very well appreciated by the local community and families. Also
Regents Circuit Park at Forest Lake will be receiving a $50,000 improvement as
well.
Now for Councillors on that other side to say that the south side gets nothing,
well it's interesting because both of those two Councillors that have made those
comments, they have the Oxley Creek running through their wards and funnily
enough, on page 33, Madam Chairman, of the budget, there is the Oxley Creek
Improvement program. Madam Chairman, this side of the Chamber takes
waterways enhancement very seriously and certainly I appreciate the work that
the Council officers in this area have been undertaking in respect of
Billabong Place and the $251,000 that is going to deal with some of the weed
and erosion management that we have there, just to enhance that are for local
residents.
Madam Chairman, in relation to service 1.7.1.2, I would just like to congratulate
all of the officers that have been involved in the All Hazards Brisbane Ready for
Summer campaign. This is a very important project across our city and it cannot
be underestimated. Certainly that is one of the ways that we really do cut
through and have a lot of preventative measures in place when we do get major
storm events.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 123 Madam Chairman, my ward has also just recently had the annual kerb side
large-item collection. I say thank you for the continuation of that. It really does
make a big difference and certainly having the resource recovery centre at
Willawong is a great bonus to my ward as well. It is something that certainly
goes a long way to managing waste across out city. Particularly, I'd like to
acknowledge the green waste collection service which is growing at 35 bins a
day and keeping 18,000 tons of green waste out of landfill. This is a significant
impact for our landfill situation across our city.
Madam Chairman, I'd also like to express my appreciation for the extension of
the grass cutting from 17 to 19 cuts per year. This is going to make a major
difference to a lot of our parks and certainly our suburbs.
Chairman:
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR, your time has expired.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor BOURKE would you like to sum up?
Councillor BOURKE:
Thanks very much, Madam Chairman. I just want to thank all Councillors for
their contribution and I'm just going to touch on a few of the points that were
raised through the debate. The problem I have is I just don't know where to
begin, Madam Chairman, because the Labor Party gave us a lot of absolute
gems, Madam Chairman, in terms of some of the comments that they made and
the contributions that they put on the record, thanks to Hansard.
So, I might start with Councillor CUMMING. Councillor CUMMING has been
in this place for a decade and a half and fails to understand basic arithmetic,
Madam Chairman. He referred to page 41 and the movement of the revenue
expense line items into this particular part from the infrastructure charges
collected from stormwater. Councillor CUMMING can't take a negative number
and add a positive number to it and come up without a reduction. So every year
there's always been a negative line item attributed to this particular part of the
budget. But this year, for the first time, it's a positive.
So if you take the $5 million that was shown last year, the minus $5 million that
was shown last year, and add $14 million to it, you get the positive $9 million
that's there this year, Madam Chairman. It's basic arithmetic. Really simple,
basic arithmetic but that's another reason, Madam Chairman, another
demonstration of why you can't trust the numbers that the Labor Party put
forward.
On the issue of business recycling, Madam Chairman, Councillor CUMMING
delivered his stump speech, every year we say it's against national consumer
competition policy, Council would have a monopoly that we can't have in that
space, Madam Chairman, but the Labor Party continues to seem to want to go
down this line. Madam Chairman, Councillor DICK's contribution was his
standard stump speech, the sooner he's out the door, I think for
Councillor DICK, the better in this place, Madam Chairman.
He talked about King George Square and Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR
smacked him down, I think is the best way of putting it, because there are people
out there right now. There's people out sitting in King George Square right now,
on the seats, Madam Chairman. Anyone can pull out a picture they want, here's
pictures of King George Square with the grass fenced off, the little chain fence,
the other fence, Madam Chairman. We can pull out pictures to prove anything,
Madam Chairman. There they are, the pictures of King George Square fenced
off.
Madam Chairman, Councillor ABRAHAMS, she spent five minutes talking
about climate change and the dirty great big tax that the Australian Labor Party
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 124 like to implement when it comes to cleaning up or dealing with the issue of
climate change. But their great contribution—
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor BOURKE.
Yes, Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Claim to be misrepresented.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor BOURKE:
Their great contribution, and those opposite's great contribution to the debate of
climate change in this place is sign Kyoto Now, we all remember that wonderful
campaign where they stood there with a piece of paper going, LORD MAYOR,
sign Kyoto Now. There's Councillor FLESSER and Councillor NEWTON,
they're leaving this place, Madam Chairman, but obviously they—we couldn't
sign it at the time, Councillor MURPHY.
But the best one from Councillor ABRAHAMS, and this is an absolute purler,
Madam Chairman, Councillor ABRAHAMS stood up and talked about the
play safe upgrade schedule in this year's budget and the 12 projects and only one
of them being in a Labor Party ward and the other 11 being in an LNP ward.
Now I don't know if Councillor ABRAHAMS has a crystal ball and is thinking
forward to 20 March next year, but D J Sherrington Park's in Inala, so unless
she's giving that seat away to us next year, Madam Chairman—I know the
Leader of the Opposition in-waiting, already given up on Richlands Ward.
Councillor DICK, you're not even out the door and she's already given up on
Richlands Ward.
But it gets better. It gets better. Joseph Lee Park in Zillmere, that's in Deagon.
She's already given up on Deagon as well, Madam Chairman. Just for the
trifecta, Shaw Estate Park in Wavell Heights in Northgate, she's already given
up on that too, Madam Chairman. She's given up on her three Labor colleagues
who are retiring. Well, well done. Well done, Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor BOURKE:
Through you, Madam Chairman, to Councillor ABRAHAMS, well done.
Showing the great support that you have for your colleagues there who are
retiring, Councillor ABRAHAMS, giving up those seats already.
Madam Chairman, Councillor SUTTON talked about the lack of money that
we're spending on flood studies. I went through at great length in my
introduction around the studies that were already completed and how this
Council's taking the issue of flooding seriously. Councillor SUTTON said that
we're lacking Councillor Soorley's vision—it's a direct quote—lacking Soorley's
vision. Well, Madam Chairman, if Councillor Soorley's vision was headlines
like, flood cover up, Council slashes millions from waterway funding, Beattie
tries to bail out Council, City Hall kept facts from residents, report they refused
to release.
If this is the vision of Councillor Soorley when it comes to dealing with flooding
in this city, Madam Chairman, I'm glad we don't have Councillor Soorley's
vision on this city of the Chamber. Because we actually have an honest
conversation with people about flooding. We honestly have an informed
conversation and we're completing the necessary flood studies and the necessary
work to protect residents and inform them when they're deciding on how they're
going to build their homes, how they're going to go about their business,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 125 Madam Chairman, when it comes to development but also when they're living
their general lives, Madam Chairman.
The Labor Party are the ones who in their last budget, when you go to their last
budget book, 2003-04, didn't actually allocate one brass razoo, not a single cent
to flood studies. Not a single cent to flood studies, Madam Chairman. So for
them to stand up in this place and criticise us after we've delivered over two
dozen creek or flood study deliverables in the last couple of years,
Madam Chairman, is nothing short of hypocritical at its best, Madam Chairman.
Hypocritical at its best.
Madam Chairman, Councillor GRIFFITHS stood up and woe is me’d about
Oxley Creek and how it's terrible, Madam Chairman, that Council's not
investing more. He obviously didn't get as far as page 33 in the budget, as
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR outlines, there's a specific line item. A specific
line item called the Oxley Creek Improvement Project. But
Councillor GRIFFITHS obviously didn't get that far into the budget,
Madam Chairman.
Because if he had, and if he'd bothered turning up to the information sessions,
Madam Chairman, he could have asked me questions about it and I would have
been able to detail the work that we're actually undertaking in Oxley Creek to
help improve not only the water quality, but sediment issues, Madam Chairman.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor BOURKE:
Madam Chairman, Councillor JOHNSTON tried to—Councillor JOHNSTON
tried to rewrite the Council budget by allocating money collected by the
bushland acquisition levy. So we know that Councillor JOHNSTON doesn't
support bushland acquisition, she now wants to spend that money on drainage
projects, Madam Chairman.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor BOURKE:
Then—yes, she does, is what the interjection was, through you,
Madam Chairman,
yes
she
does.
Well,
Madam
Chairman,
Councillor JOHNSTON selectively hears what she wants to hear, puts those
words together in a sentence and then tries to quote it back in this Council
Chamber, and she did that in her speech in this place about some of the figures
that I used.
So I talked about the schedules and 95 per cent of the schedule projects being
delivered in the suburbs. Councillor JOHNSTON talked about all of the
program area with 95 per cent. So just to set the record straight, 95 per cent of
the scheduled projects are being delivered in the suburbs, Madam Chairman.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor BOURKE:
Out there in the suburbs for the residents of Brisbane. If Councillor JOHNSTON
has progress that she wants to fund, well I suggest Councillor JOHNSTON you
use that wonderful fund that the LORD MAYOR introduced that wasn't here
under a Labor Party Administration, that the LORD MAYOR introduced—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor BOURKE:
—which was the $448,000—
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 126 Chairman:
Just a minute, Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor JOHNSTON, if you continue to interject like that, you will be
warned.
Thank you, Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor BOURKE:
The $448,000 ward footpath and parks trust fund, Madam Chairman. If there's
such a pressing, urgent issue for Councillor JOHNSTON that she wants to do,
I'd suggest that she use the money available to her there to complete that lighting
project that she was talking about.
Madam Chairman, and I'm going to finish with the Karawatha environment
centre, because the Labor Party choose to rewrite history and try to rewrite
history and rewrite history when it comes to the Karawatha environment park.
So, back in 1996, Karawatha Forest Management Plan, which was developed by
the Karawatha Forest Advisory Committee, which was chaired by Councillor
Gail McPherson, first mooted the Karawatha Discovery Centre or environment
centre. So, 1996, Jim Soorley was Lord Mayor.
So from there through to 2004 until Campbell Newman became Lord Mayor,
Councillor McPherson did nothing. Councillor McPherson, the Labor
Councillor did nothing. Councillor ABRAHAMS as the Chair for Environment,
Parks and Sustainability did nothing, right? So we get to 2008, while
Councillor FLESSER was happy to talk about the Romans, Madam Chairman,
well the Romans never had to deal with Councillor McPherson in their 2000
year history.
Because Councillor McPherson, all she had to do was go out to her community
and get some consensus about where this thing should go and where the road
should go and how the access should be, and she couldn't do it. The Romans
used slave labour, I think, and we know that the Labor Party are happy to sell
workers' rights down the drains, thank you Bill Shorten, but, Madam Chairman,
we on this side of the Chamber have taken a different approach. We are on track
to deliver this particular project now that Councillor MARX has been there to
actually work with the Administration, work with the residents, work with the
Friends of the Karawatha Forest Society and get the project on track to be
delivered.
So when the Labor Party talks about this project, you need to know the history is
a sad, sorry tale for the Australian Labor Party who could not deliver on
something that they mentioned over 20 years ago first. One of their ideas, one of
their principles, Madam Chairman. So, in closing, Madam Chairman, I
commend Program 1 to the Chamber. It is a solid program, built on delivering
the commitments of this Administration, of the LORD MAYOR and building on
previous budgets.
In closing, I just want to say thank you to all of the Council officers in my own
branch in Council and also in Councillor McLACHLAN's area who are our
delivery partners across so much of what we do. I commend Program 1 to the
Chamber.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for the adoption of the Clean, Green and Water Smart—
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Sorry, Councillor ABRAHAMS; yes, misrepresentation.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Yes, the Chair said very clearly that I referred to the Federal Carbon Tax. That
was not true. I did not. In fact, what I did refer to was the contribution from the
Federal Government to assist us in the LED lights project. Madam Chair, I take
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 127 this opportunity to give my apology to the Chamber for my inaccuracy on the
wards. Obviously I have to get out of West End a little more.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Clean, Green and WaterSmart City
program and it was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillor Ryan MURPHY, and Councillor Matthew BOURKE immediately rose and called for a
division, which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 24 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES,
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER,
Victoria NEWTON, and Shayne SUTTON.
ABSTENTIONS: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
2. MOVING BRISBANE PROGRAM:
688/2014-15
The DEPUTY MAYOR, Councillor Adrian SCHRINNER, Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee moved,
seconded by Councillor Ian McKenzie, that for the services of the Council, the allocations for the Operations
and the Projects for the year 2015-16 and the Rolling Recurrent Operations Contracts and the Rolling Projects
for the WaterSmart City program as contained on pages 49 to 67, and schedules on pages 155 to 173 so far as
they relate to Program 2, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Yes, Madam Chairman. As I was saying, the Moving Brisbane program is all
about mobility. It has been a key focus for this Administration from the
beginning, and one that we have continued to invest in. It is easy to pay lip
service to that but the reality is, in this budget, once again we see approximately
half of the entire Council budget going into this program. So almost 50 per cent
is going into this one program, which is all about mobility.
It is about not only the road network and footpaths and bike paths; it is also
about public transport and the whole range of mobility initiatives across the city.
One thing when it comes to mobility that we continue to stress, and that stress is
indicated in the way funding is allocated, is that mobility is about freedom of
choice. It is about ensuring that we invest across the different modes of transport
rather than just picking one or two particular modes. So we have been clear
about that. It is about choice.
It is about saying that, if people want to catch the bus or the ferry, that is great;
we will provide Australia's most modern fleet for them to use. It is about
ensuring if the people want to walk and cycle to work or to the shops, they can
do so safely on paths that have been provided as part of our record investment in
bikeways and footpaths. If people want to drive to where they want to go, we are
not going to make them feel like bad people for doing that. We are not going to
make them feel guilty, and we are not going to punish them.
That is an important point because there are some people out there who very
clearly claim that this Council should not be spending money on roads, and they
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 128 are not ashamed about saying that. There is one person in this Chamber who has
very clearly said that on numerous occasions, that we should take a roads diet,
and we all know who that is—the alternative Leader of the Opposition, or
maybe the next Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS.
It is very clear that Councillor ABRAHAMS believes we should not invest
money in roads. But she also believes that we should tax people off the roads by
introducing a cordon toll, and she has said that just recently, which was
published in a book about traffic congestion. We do not share that view.
Ultimately we want to make sure that all of the different modes of transport are
invested in, and it is not a zero sum game. So, investing in one mode does not
mean you cannot invest in another mode. It is not one wins and one loses; it's
got to be a balanced investment across those modes.
This budget essentially provides a balanced investment across the mobility
modes of our city. I have no doubt that, if we asked the community: should we
stop spending money on roads, there would be a resounding no. The feedback
that we continue to receive from the community is that we want more spending
on roads, more spending on public transport, and more spending on active
transport. So that is exactly what we are doing. We have listened, not based on
some kind of philosophical or ideological approach, but from the practical needs
and requirements of Brisbane residents to get around the city.
This program delivers record investment in public transport that we have
continued to deliver over successive budgets, record investment in active
transport, and record investment in road maintenance and upgrades. This has
been done, as I mentioned, consistently through the term of this Administration.
It has seen us deliver Australia's most modern bus fleet. It has seen us deliver a
whole raft of new CityCats and, also in this budget, invest in refurbishment of
older CityCats. With the bus fleet, we now have 100 per cent of buses air
conditioned and 100 per cent disability compliant and easily accessible by prams
and wheelchairs.
This year we will see 60 new buses purchased over the next 12 months, which is
all about keeping the bus fleet modern. We heard one of the Opposition
Councillors scoffing that, oh well, you are buying 60 new buses, but you are
also retiring 60 buses. That is actually called renewal. That is called renewal of
the fleet and keeping it modern. When a bus reaches a certain age, and I
understand it is around 20 years old, it should be retired. So we are all about
keeping the fleet modern, because people want that better standard of
accessibility; they want that better standard of comfort, and we need to make it
comfortable and accessible for people to catch public transport in our city.
We will continue the record investment in bikeways and footpaths; an absolutely
essential part of this Administration's agenda. I did want to point out, though,
that one of the biggest new initiatives in this budget was a project which was the
four-laning of the Inner City Bypass (ICB). Some people have used this as an
example of how the Administration is only focused on roads.
Councillor interjecting.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
We heard the Opposition just saying absolutely. Well, the interesting part is—
and I actually mentioned this in the information session last Friday—that out of
the $80 million allocation for this project, approximately half of that is about
putting an access ramp from the Inner Northern Busway into the ICB to allow
buses to use the Legacy Way tunnel. So, this is actually just as much a public
transport project as it is a road project.
So, for an $80 million investment, we will get a benefit for both motorists and a
benefit for bus users by allowing the Legacy Way tunnel to serve as essentially
the Legacy Way busway. That is what it will be able to do. So buses can come
off the Inner Northern Busway near the Royal Brisbane Hospital, down onto the
ICB and straight into the Legacy Way tunnel. So that is what we would like to
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 129 see achieved through this project. So it is about public transport improvements
and improvements for motorists as well.
Importantly, there is a 66 per cent boost in road resurfacing as a result of this
budget investment. That is significant. Some 66 per cent is obviously a big
jump, but what we have seen here is the single largest investment in road
resurfacing that any Administration has ever made in the history of the city. So,
$100 million in one year. I have to say this is very justified.
The last several years have seen significant deterioration in the road network.
That deterioration is primarily as a result of weather events that have hit our
city. We have seen the 2011 floods where many, many roads were submerged.
We have seen numerous storm and flood events since then in recent years, very
costly events for our city, but also events that deteriorate the life of our road
network. When a road is flooded or submerged, it takes years off the road's life.
We did testing after the 2011 flood, and roads that were supposed to last for
20 years were lasting for many years less than that as a result of the flooding and
the impacts on those roads.
So this $100 million investment will help deliver better roads for Brisbane, and
to help deal with that degradation that we have seen as a result of flooding and
storm events in recent years. It is an important investment in the suburbs of
Brisbane. Right across the city, this investment is being made, from suburbs
near the city all the way out to the outer suburbs of our city. This money will
flow on and deliver benefits, and it is a welcome investment by the
LORD MAYOR in asset maintenance.
If we spend the money on roads in this way, it will actually save ratepayers'
money in the long term. There will be less requirement on those roads for
pothole filling and patching in the future. So the reactive maintenance
requirements reduce if the road is done properly when we resurface it. So it is a
very good outcome for the city, and all Councillors across the city will see their
wards benefit from this investment.
I did hear, as well, some criticism from the Opposition on decorative lighting in
this budget. We have heard some lines from them about the lighting projects and
how it is supposedly a waste of money. I did want to draw Councillors' attention
to page 160 of the budget, which is the schedules, and the Bridges and Culverts
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project.
One of the new things in this budget—and it hasn’t drawn any attention so far—
is that we will be replacing the lights on the Victoria Bridge from fluorescent
tube lights, as they are at the moment, to LED lights which are programmable in
the same way that the Storey Bridge is programmable. So, what we will
essentially achieve is when the Storey Bridge is lit up a certain colour, the
Victoria Bridge can be lit up in the same colour.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
When City Hall is lit up in a certain colour, with the LED lights on City Hall,
those two bridges can be in the same colour. That is all about promoting a whole
range of great causes in our city; things like breast cancer awareness. There is a
whole range of initiatives that we give publicity to through the use of those LED
lights.
But it is not just decorative. The current fluorescent tubes on the Victoria Bridge
are at the end of their life, and they need to be replaced. So this financial year,
we would have had to make the decision to replace old technology with old
technology, or indeed, replace old technology with new and more efficient
technology, and that is what we have chosen to do. So, with this $1.1 million
investment in lighting on the Victoria Bridge, we will see not only an
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 130 opportunity to support the vibrancy of the city but also to save money for
ratepayers.
LED lights are estimated to be at least 50 per cent more efficient than the
fluorescent lights that are on the bridge at the moment. They also require less
maintenance, less changing and work that is required on an ongoing basis. So
we will see ongoing savings to the people of Brisbane, both in electricity costs,
which benefit ratepayers directly, and in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of
the savings in this budget.
It is part of a program that is gearing up within Council to replace old style
lights with new LED or efficient technology. We had the 25,000 street lights
replaced recently with more efficient bulbs. We have just been doing a project in
the King George Square car park to replace the old fluorescent tubes with LED
lights, and that will be finalised this financial year as well. That is just one
practical example of some of the small but important things we are doing in this
program.
There is a new investment in this program as well in enhanced school zone
safety. Schools that previously were not eligible to get school zones on their
frontage because the frontage had a multi-lane road now can have those school
zones installed. That is a great outcome for student safety across the city. We are
seeing major roads like Moggill Road, Old Cleveland Road, Cavendish Road,
Forest Lake Boulevard, Annerley Road, Beaudesert Road, Wynnum Road,
Logan Road and Murphy Road—there is a whole range of roads across the city
that will now benefit from having safer school environments.
Not only will we be installing the school zones; we will be installing the
flashing school zone lights as well to really ensure that motorists are aware of
the school zone in place. So that is a great outcome for our students. It is a new
program that we are keen to see continue going forward.
I also wanted to talk about some of the technology improvements and parking
improvements that we are going to be making this year as well as part of the
budget. Once again these have been criticised by the Opposition. They seem to
be against new technology and better ways of doing things. They are against
making it easier for people to find and pay for parking. They are against it. So
they criticise these things, just like they criticised free Wi-Fi in parks, but they
will be proven wrong.
When this is rolled out, I am sure that the residents of Brisbane will take it up
and use it, and it will be a better and more effective system, to make it easier for
people finding parking around the city. The ability to book a space in advance
will be part of the technology. The ability to top up your meter without going
back to the car will be part of that technology. We are also looking at ways that
we can improve our parking permit scheme as well. So we will be going out to
tender later this year to procure a digital permit system that will make it faster
and easier for residents who want to access parking permits. That will replace
the existing paper-based system which is cumbersome and takes a long time for
residents to obtain permits.
We want to make it easier for people, and these two initiatives I have just
mentioned are part of the solution.
Chairman:
DEPUTY MAYOR, your time has expired, thank you.
Councillor MATIC, as secondary Chairman, you have 10 minutes.
Councillor MATIC:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. As Chairman of the Public and Active Transport
Committee, I rise in support of Program 2, Moving Brisbane, and confirm my
support for the LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Budget. For the third year running,
this year's budget not only demonstrates the significant commitment and vision
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 131 that the LORD MAYOR has for Brisbane, but also his willingness to put his
money where his mouth is to keep our city growing, moving and improving.
As we have already heard, there are many direct benefits of this budget to the
people of Brisbane. As Chair of the Public and Active Transport Committee,
there are some specific achievements in areas which I would like to highlight.
Firstly, I congratulate the LORD MAYOR on his ongoing commitment to
modernising Brisbane's public transport with this year's considerable
contribution of $228 million directed to public transport and bikeway initiatives.
We recognise that the people of Brisbane and the many visitors to our great city
have varied needs when it comes to public transport, and we recognise that a
growing city requires a strong and diverse transport system in order to thrive.
That is why we have ensured our investment is spread across a range of areas,
various modes of transport, including ferries, ferry terminals, buses, bus stops
and bikeways.
Councillors will already be aware that Brisbane can boast the most modern bus
fleet in Australia, and the first fleet that is fully wheelchair accessible. This is
something of which we are particularly proud. But despite our considerable
achievements to date, we recognise that there is still more to do. That is why we
remain committed to ongoing investment in Brisbane's public and active
transport infrastructure, to ensure it provides access to both residents and
visitors alike. We want to see an inclusive public transport network which
allows all people to safely and efficiently reach their destinations.
We on this side of the Chamber are all about ensuring value for money for
Brisbane ratepayers. That is why I am delighted to talk today about the further
upgrades in this year's budget with respect to the city's expansive CityCat
network. As Brisbane residents know well, the iconic fleet of vessels which
traverse our river include a mix of colourful CityCats, City Ferry Services and
the CityHopper, Brisbane's free inner-city ferry service.
The CityHopper helps make Brisbane a tourist friendly destination and
complements our free City Loop bus service. This service will continue to
operate free of charge. In relation to the CityCats, I can also advise that, during
the last financial year, we delivered two additional CityCats, increasing
Council's fleet to 21. This year I am excited to announce an impressive
$5.2 million has been allocated over three years towards reviving the older
Generation 1 CityCats. This money will involve both internal and external
upgrades, and will breathe new life into these vessels, many of which have been
operating since the mid-1990s.
It will serve to maximise the potential of these vessels which have served the
people of Brisbane so well to date. These refurbished CityCats will also,
excitingly, feature decorative wraps, some of which will honour the many
achievements of our city's great sporting teams, and will prove a talking point
for domestic and international visitors to our city. I am always pleased to be part
of initiatives which promote civic pride, and this is a perfect example of just
such a project. The wraps will represent many of the sporting teams the people
of Brisbane know and love.
Council's 21st CityCat, Gilwunpa, already sports a wrap honouring the
Queensland Firebirds who, as of Sunday, became the 2015 netball champions.
But our commitment does not just stop with the refurbishment and redecorating
of our CityCats. We have also been busy investing in the long-term
infrastructure needed to keep our city moving. As I mentioned, this time last
year not only have we delivered on our promise to finish the new CityCat
terminal at Park Road, Milton, but we have also refurbished and upgraded the
seven flood recovery ferry terminals.
These are in addition to the disability upgrades at Bulimba, Hawthorne and
Brett's Wharf. These terminals have all been built to the one-in-500-year flood
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 132 standard and feature dual berthing. Importantly, these rebuilt terminals have
significantly improved accessibility features, including innovative
DDA-compliant articulated gangways.
In addition to the innovative DDA-compliant gangways, these terminals also
feature added seating and rest zones, accessible ramps, continuous handrails
along the gangway and pontoon to guide commuters from the terminal entrance
to the boarding gate, and simple journey maps with braille that will include
where you are and which direction you can travel to other terminals. This budget
has dedicated $4.455 million this financial year to continue planning and
preparation to upgrade the remaining ferry terminals in the network in line with
disability standards and targets.
We remain focused on our ongoing commitment to supporting bus services in
this city. In this past year, we spent $31 million acquiring 60 new
environmentally friendly buses. These new buses boast DDA compliance, and
with Australia's most modern fleet, maintenance costs are reduced as older,
higher maintenance buses can be retired. This year's budget also includes a
substantial $81.9 million to Brisbane Transport to enable them to keep our city
moving.
An integral part of our ongoing support of Brisbane's bus network is the Blue
and Maroon CityGliders. Council recognises the importance of providing a
range of transport options to the people of Brisbane, and that is why we have
committed over $12 million to continue these two services over the next
financial year. In addition to operating the Brisbane bus fleet, Council also
provides 6,500 bus stops and enables nine well-situated bus interchanges to help
people to access those bus services. A key objective of Council is to provide a
bus stop network that is accessible to all members of the community, including
people with disabilities, seniors and families.
The 2015-16 Budget allocates over $25 million for the Brisbane Bus Stop
Accessibility program to progressively upgrade and improve accessibility to our
bus stop network. The program will ensure that all bus stops provide an
accessible level of service that is consistent across the network. Importantly, it
will provide or upgrade facilities such as seating, allocated spaces for
wheelchairs, and shelters in designated locations. These locations include highdemand areas such as hospitals, employment centres, local community facilities
and retirement villages. The Brisbane Bus Stop Accessibility program will
continue beyond the current four-year budget to provide a fully DDA accessible
bus stop network by 2022.
Madam Chairman, I am pleased to inform you that our significant investment in
ferries, ferry terminals and bus services has not overshadowed our recent
cycling investment. Council recognises that cycling is an important mode of
transport which many people of Brisbane love to use, and which can help
contribute to a healthy lifestyle and cleaner environment. This year's budget
supports cyclists and budding cyclists by dedicating $31 million towards onroad and off-road cycling paths. This is in line with the 2012-16 Better
Bikeways for Brisbane program which, once completed next year, will boast an
impressive network of bikeways and connections to employment and tourist
areas.
Councillors will recall that this year's budget allocation is part of the broader
Better Bikeways for Brisbane program which sees $120 million invested
between 2012 and 2016 to upgrade and expand the city's bikeways and
associated services. It also complements the $100 million investment in new
bike infrastructure made between 2008 and 2012. Collectively, this is a
considerable contribution. We will also continue to promote Cycling Brisbane,
our free membership initiative which encourages people of all ages and abilities
to cycle more often and to utilise the extensive bikeway network available.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 133 By ensuring that our city is easy to get around, and by encouraging people to
utilise bikeways and cycling options, Council is helping reduce congestion and
assisting our city to become more sustainable, healthy and accessible. I could
talk at length about the ways in which this year's budget supports the important
initiatives which fall within the Public and Active Transport portfolio, but there
is one thing in particular I would like to note. That is our Active School Travel
program.
It is one which helps to reduce congestion in our suburbs and keep our children
healthy and street-safe. The Active School Travel program educates and
motivates students, parents and teachers to leave the car at home and to actively
travel to and from school. This year there are 15 new schools participating in
addition to the 30 schools which have previously been involved and who are
continuing to receive support from Council to implement their programs. The
2015-16 Budget provides $708,000 in support of this initiative.
In conclusion, this Administration will continue to provide public and active
transport opportunities for the people of Brisbane, and will provide the
infrastructure which the people of Brisbane both demand and deserve. We will
continue to encourage people to get active, explore our city, and to do so in a
safe and accessible manner. This budget supports these objectives with
investment and functionality and accessibility at our ferry terminals and bus
stops, improved bus and ferry services and vessels, and our continued
investment in bikeways. I thank the LORD MAYOR and
Councillor SIMMONDS for their work on this budget, and for the important
initiatives contained within, and I commend this budget to the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, thanks, Madam Chair; I rise to speak on all parts of Program 2. This budget
really proves that the LNP has no vision. In fact, we heard no vision during any
of the budget speeches, and we heard no vision today for public transport. It is a
sham that they are interested in public transport, a sheer veneer that they are
interested in doing anything about the city's public transport issues.
What we have seen the LNP deliver on is a cut of over 1 million people from
using the buses last financial year. Let's see how many fewer people use the
buses this year. We know with that cut of people using or not using public
transport that there's also been a 4.5 per cent increase in congestion on the city's
roads.
Madam Chair, this Budget fails to deal with congestion and fails to deal with
public transport, but let's look a little deeper. In terms of the budget, it's such an
important item for the LNP. It's so important for the progress of our city that
they've managed to allocate four pages of talking about public transport in this
particular document, which is 269 pages. Four pages to public transport; what a
shame.
In terms of Moving Brisbane it's four pages out of 17. What does that say to you
about where the priority lies with public transport and this Administration? Who
could forget the LNP's bus optimisation program that saw a $20 million cut to
services which is still ongoing, as well as a cut to numerous services.
The other thing we've heard bleating today about 60 new buses, and oh gee,
that's alright because we're retiring 60 new buses. What about mentioning the
fact that at the last election you actually promised 90 buses? None of that's
happening. If you were really interested in growing the fleet, if you really
believed more people were going to be catching our buses, why aren't you
producing more buses than you're retiring?
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 134 Madam Chair, we're seeing an increase in density but not an increase in buses.
This is one of the greatest failures of the LNP Administration and it's not missed
by the community. Under the LNP we saw the fares rise by 7.5 per cent in 2014;
7.5 per cent. No wonder—no wonder there were one million fewer passengers
on our buses and they're laughing about this fact.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Was it not enough, Madam Chair? Was it not enough?
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor MATIC—Councillor MATIC refer to Councillors appropriately
please.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Maybe—sorry—
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Maybe they wanted to increase it by more. Their vision—their vision for public
transport is appalling.
Now we hear about cordon tolls. We hear about how much one Councillor on
this side of the Chamber likes cordon tolls. Your cordon tolling—your cordon
tolling is your parking meters. You've introduced those all across the inner-city
suburbs. That's your way of keeping cars out of the inner-city. That's your way
of charging a tax. Parking meters are a tax. They're a tax on business, they're a
tax on residents and they're stopping businesses from performing. Don't deny it,
don't deny it. Parking meters are nothing more than a tax on residents. They're
nothing more than the LNP's sneaky form of cordon tolling.
If that wasn't bad enough—if that wasn't bad enough, the LNP have moved into
the suburbs and they now allow parking fees at Indooroopilly, Carindale,
Chermside and Mt Gravatt. Anything to stop people from using public transport,
any way possible, and what's worse—what's worse is these fees keep increasing.
So don't attack Councillor Helen ABRAHAMS. Be honest—be honest about
yourselves and be honest about what you're doing. Businesses know it, residents
know it.
Now, Madam Chair—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Madam Chair, it's astounding that for a $1.7 billion project that is Legacy Way,
they forgot to add an important on-ramp off-ramp that was worth $80 million.
Woops. We actually planned a $1.7 billion project but we forgot an $80 billion
how do you get on it, how do you get off it. Amazing, Madam Chair. If you
don't think—if you don't think residents in the suburbs don't see this constant
feverish approach to spending money on toll tunnels and on inner-city roads
you've got another think coming.
The southern suburbs all the time tell me how much rates they're paying but how
little they're getting for it. Yes, you keep going, you keep going, keep talking
about your toll tunnels in the southern suburbs. See how it works for you.
Madam Chair, in terms of the southside, in terms of congestion on the
southside—and we know the LNP don't worry about the southside. We know
there are major congestion hotspots and these are not being dealt with. I would
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 135 suggest that you come and wait in line at Coopers Plains or Coorparoo railway
crossings. It was good enough for the LNP in conjunction with the State
Government to do the Telegraph and Robinson Road crossings on the northside.
Great, good on you, smart. Why are you ignoring the southside? Why are you
not working in partnership—why are you not working in partnership—why are
you not working in partnership with the State Government to fix these
problems?
In fact it was interesting—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor MATIC.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
—In fact it was interesting, Madam Chair, that the Royal Automobile Club of
Queensland (RACQ) came out and said that this $700 million splurge that this
LNP Administration are going to go on with for Kingsford Smith Drive would
be better spent on the Coopers Plains and Coorparoo rail crossings. Better spent
because we're actually seeing less traffic on that road at the moment than there
was 10 years ago. Madam Chair, another $700 million for an inner-city project,
while residents at Coopers Plains and Coorparoo wait 20 minutes to get across a
track.
We've seen an increase in density, we've seen an increase in infrastructure
charges, we've seen an increase in congestion, and we're seeing it impact on
residents and business. We're forgetting about the suburbs.
I know Councillor Shayne SUTTON has been on and fighting the good battle
for Wynnum Road, but what about Ipswich Road? What about Balham Road
where we've increased density for industry? The great furphy as well is the
unsafe bikeways. The LNP Administration scoff that our bikeways are safe. Can
I say that women have contacted me in relation to feeling unsafe on
Riawena Road bikeway at Salisbury, Yeronga bikeway that runs through
Moorooka, and Coopers Plains bikeways. The LNP's response? You can wait a
couple of years, there's a long list.
Madam Chair, we're not taking safety in the suburbs properly. We're not
worrying about safe links to bus stops or railways. We need to be spending
money across the whole city so that women in the outer suburbs feel safe just
like people in the inner-city suburbs.
Finally, Madam Chair, I just want to pull up a point about the amount we're
spending on resurfacing of our roads and I'd like to give this example—
Railway Terrace roundabout at Moorooka. It is one of the most potholed,
jigsawed pieces of infrastructure that I've ever seen. Did it get any infrastructure
spending money, any resurfacing money this year? No. So it will remain there as
a reminder for residents that in fact money isn't being allocated on need; it's
being allocated on pork barrelling.
We've got to forget the coloured lights and get the money into the suburbs, onto
our roads and, in fact, fixing the lighting of our bikeways. To me, Madam Chair,
this budget just proves there is no vision from the LNP. This is a budget about
getting re-elected. It's a veneer of a budget for public transport, while we're
increasing density and increasing congestion on our roads, and so far the result
of the LNP's progress with regards to public transport has been that we've seen
one million fewer residents using our buses.
Chairman:
Further debate? Order.
Councillor HUANG.
Councillor HUANG:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise in support of the program Moving Brisbane
and express my support and appreciation to the LORD MAYOR and the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 136 relevant Chairmen for their vision and leadership by making the vital
investments in this city's public transport and transport network. This will ensure
that this city will continue to enjoy sustainable population and economic growth.
Brisbane, as Australia's new world city, continues to be the focal point of
international visitors, interstate and overseas migrants, and investment targets in
Australia. While we continue to enjoy the benefits of this influx of people and
capital that has been driving the economy of this city, we need to keep investing
in our public transport and transport network and infrastructure to ensure the
city's sustainable growth for the generations to come.
The 2015-16 Budget fosters the commitment and vision of the LORD MAYOR
and this Administration in keeping Brisbane moving, growing and improving.
Madam Chairman, transport infrastructure has a direct impact on the economic
growth of an area. An efficient transport network that allows better and
smoother movement of people and goods will effectively improve this city's
economic competitiveness and living standards.
As both Councillor SCHRINNER, as the Chair for Infrastructure, and
Councillor MATIC, as the Chair for Public and Active Transport, have stated,
this budget will continue to bring vision and action in providing Brisbane with a
world-class transport network and public transport choices.
There are a number of important initiatives contained in this 2015-16 Budget,
including delivery of 60 new air-conditioned and accessible rigid equivalent
buses to ensure that Council's fleet is one of the most modern in Australia;
undertake detailed planning for future DDA-compliant ferry terminals;
continuing the upgrade of bus stops and ferry terminals to provide a more
accessible public transport network and to meet requirements of the DDA;
continue operation of the Congestion Reduction Unit; continued rotation of the
portable speed warning signs; additional enhanced school zone signage for
schools on multi-lane roads and assist Queensland Rail with the installation of
the bridge strike beams and safety signage.
Madam Chairman, of course there are more initiatives than I have just
mentioned, but these are the initiatives that I feel strongly about. As a person
without physical disability, I think it may be difficult for us to understand the
hardship someone with a disability has to endure. I can always remember one of
my aunties, who suffered polio since she was a child, talking to me in tears
about how she had to crawl the stairs on one of the old-style buses and the
humiliation she had to live with.
Madam Chairman, 100 per cent low floor-buses is a significant achievement of
this Administration, and further work on our bus stops and ferry terminals to
make them accessible and DDA-compliant is an important target that will
benefit all residents of our city.
This Council also provides around 6,500 bus stops and enables nine
well-situated bus interchanges to help people to access bus services. The key
objective of Council is to provide a bus stop network that is accessible to all
members of the community, including people with a disability, seniors and
families, especially those dads and mums with prams.
The 2015-16 Budget allocated over $25 million for the Brisbane accessible bus
stop program to progressively upgrade and improve accessibility to our bus stop
network. The program will ensure that all bus stops provide an accessible level
of service that is consistent across the network. Importantly, it will provide or
upgrade facilities such as seating, allocated spaces for wheelchairs and prams,
and also shelters in designated locations. These locations include high-demand
areas such as hospitals, employment centres, local community halls, local
community facilities and retirement villages. The Brisbane accessible bus stop
program will continue beyond the current four year-budget to provide a fully
DDA accessible bus stop network by 2022.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 137 In addition to disability compliance to bus stops, this Administration has also
delivered on our promises to finish the new CityCat terminal at Park Road,
Milton, but we also have refurbished and upgraded the seven flood recovery
ferry terminals. These are in addition to the disability upgrades at Bulimba,
Hawthorne and Bretts Wharf ferry terminals. These terminals have been built to
the one-in-500-year flood standard and feature duel berthing at all sites except
Maritime Museum, and most importantly, these rebuilt terminals have
significantly improved accessibility features, including innovative
DDA-compliant articulated gangways which support people in wheelchairs and
with disabilities.
The gangway on the flood recovery terminals are also designed to detach from
the shore during a flood event. In addition to the innovative DDA-compliant
gangways, these terminals also feature added seating and rest zones, accessible
ramps, continuous handrails along the gangway and pontoon to guide
commuters from the terminal entrance to the boarding gate. Also improve
terminal lighting as well as simple journey maps with Braille that will include
where you are and which direction you can travel to other terminals.
This budget has dedicated $4.45 million this financial year to continue planning
in preparation to upgrade the remaining ferry terminals in the network, in line
with disability standards and targets, which will support our residents with
disabilities.
Madam Chairman, I'd also like to briefly touch on Active School Travel
program and school zone traffic management initiatives contained in this
budget. As a result of Brisbane's continual growth, we see an increase in traffic,
traffic volumes and challenges around the school zones. Programs like Active
School Travel helps to reduce congestion in our suburbs and keep our children
healthy and street-safe, which is the most important education value in this
Active School Travel.
This Active School Travel program educates and motivates students, parents and
teachers to leave their cars at home and actively travel to and from school. The
2015-16 Budget provides $708,000 in support of this initiative. This funding
will encourage more and more Brisbane schools to choose to support Active
School Travel, helping improve the road environment around schools and
making the roads safer for students, parents and residents.
Madam Chairman, investment in transport infrastructure and network, and in
public and active transport, is vital in keeping a city growing and prospering,
and at the same time improving the lifestyle and amenities in an urban
environment.
Program 2 of this budget has provided both the vision and action to achieve
these objectives. I'd like to congratulate the LORD MAYOR and Chairman for
Infrastructure and Chairman for Public and Active Transport in delivering a
budget that the people of this city demand and deserve. I commend this budget
to the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on Program 2 – Moving Brisbane.
Moving Brisbane, on the face of it, looks like there are some good initiatives
that are being funded under this program item. For example, I would like to
mention the safer school signage that we're now delivering to schools on main
roads.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 138 Now I think that is actually quite a good project, and it's a good thing that we are
contributing to safety around schools because I think State Governments of all
political persuasions have actually failed to fully deliver on their promises.
But the problem we have, Madam Chairman, is it was kept secret, so if there
was going to be funding that we were going to start to allocate to something the
State Government had previously done, I think the fair thing to do would have
been to say we want Councillors to nominate projects in their area.
Certainly I know in my area there are projects that do want additional funding
and improvements around their schools, but that didn't happen and the LNP has
gone out and I think about three-quarters of the funding is going to LNP wards
and a quarter to the ALP wards.
I note that there are some Councillors who are getting five projects. I mean, talk
about pork barrelling. I mean, if you're in the know on this one apparently you
got the signs and if you weren't you didn't.
So, Madam Chairman, that just shows the secrecy and the unfairness about the
way in which this Administration approaches funding for the budget.
Now I listened to the last program item to a number of Councillors basically say
that I was a whinger and I was whining and it was terrible that I didn't really
understand how the budget worked and all the rest of it.
I've just got some budget figures that I'd like to put on the record for this
program, so here are some of the key items being funded: bikeways this year
$31 million, Tennyson Ward zero; there'll be $120 million spent over the four
years by this Administration and zero will have gone into Tennyson Ward;
bikeway reconstruction $2.2 million in this budget, zero in Tennyson Ward;
road design $2.1 million in this budget, zero in Tennyson Ward.
Major improvements—$10.4 million for major road improvements, zero in
Tennyson Ward; the bridge and culvert reconstruction $10.1 million, zero in
Tennyson Ward; new bridges and culverts $2.1 million, zero in Tennyson Ward;
district road projects $2.2 million, zero in Tennyson Ward; school signage
$700,000, zero in Tennyson Ward; local access improvements $2.7 million in
the city, zero in Tennyson Ward.
Traffic counting projects $1.7 million in the city, zero in Tennyson Ward; curb
and channel $8.8 million, zero in Tennyson Ward; new ramps $414,000, zero in
Tennyson Ward; new retaining walls $775,000, zero in Tennyson Ward; Safe
School Travel program $673,000, zero in Tennyson Ward; safer routes to school
$331,000, zero in Tennyson Ward.
Footpaths, $17.4 million—I'm sorry—there was zero in Tennyson Ward until
the DEPUTY MAYOR on Friday, late in the estimates, said I could have the
$93,000 footpath he promised he'd do last year but didn't do and he'll do this
year. So from a $17.4 million ward-wide budget there'll be $93,000 spent on
some of the oldest and most neglected footpaths in the ward. Annerley comes up
every time on the top of this list of existing footpaths that are rundown and in an
appalling state and there is no money.
Resurfacing of roads—$100 million is allocated in the budget. There's
$2 million in Tennyson Ward for eight roads. The average per ward is 15 roads
and about $4 million per ward. Now some wards seem to have done quite well
out of this. I've noted Councillors like Councillor ADAMS,
Councillor SIMMONDS, Councillor HUANG, Councillor McLACHLAN in all
of their budget—Councillor KING—in their budget newsletters they've had
around 20 roads that are being resurfaced in their areas and there are eight—
eight—in Tennyson Ward.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 139 Safety rails $1.5 million, zero in Tennyson Ward; Congestion Reduction Unit
$6 million citywide, zero in Tennyson Ward; suburban street upgrades
$2.1 million, zero in Tennyson Ward.
Now, Madam Chairman, I'm going to move an amendment in a moment, but
what I want to say is that this budget—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—this budget that the LORD MAYOR thinks is fair, that is personally
determined by him and the Councillor for Walter Taylor,
Councillor SIMMONDS, thinks that that is fair. They think that the residents of
Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood, Corinda, Rocklea, Tennyson, Yeronga,
Fairfield, Annerley—they think that those residents who pay some of the highest
rates in this city—and it was $30 million in rates they paid last year—they don't
get anything in this budget program, other than eight roads being resurfaced and
one footpath upgrade. That is it.
Now Councillor KNAPP wants to stand up over on that side of the Chamber and
say, oh things get done and it's all very fair. This is exactly the same as last year.
Last year there were two roads in Tennyson Ward that got resurfaced. There
hasn't been a local road project in Tennyson Ward since I was an LNP
Councillor. If you think for one minute that the residents out there—the
residents out there don't know what you're doing, think again.
If you don't know—if you didn't take the lesson from how Campbell Newman
was treated when he went out and pork barrelled and ignored other residents and
said we're not going to fund your areas if you don't vote LNP—if you think my
residents don't get what you're doing you lot have rocks in your head, rocks in
your head—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, you got turfed out, Madam Chairman. So in the interests of fairness—
fairness—in this massive budget where I've literally got nothing—nothing—I
move the following amendment:
MOTION FOR AMENDMENT TO PROGRAM 2: MOVING BRISBANE
689/2014-15
It was moved by Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor
Milton DICK that:
“in Item 2.3.2.2. Local Access Network Improvements reallocate $68,000 from the expense allocation for
Livesay Road at Weekes Road, Bellbowrie to Richardson Street and Acacia Street and Park Road at Verney
Road Graceville for the construction of pedestrian refuges near Graceville State School in Tennyson Ward”.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman. Now I turn to this item which is local network
improvements in 2.3.2.2. and there is $2.724 million allocated to minor
improvements in our suburbs. I would have, I don't know, 12 school projects
waiting to be funded. The refuges at either end of Park Road that we're talking
about, one end of Park Road has been waiting for 10 years now. The request
dates back to Councillor Prentice when she was the Councillor. The other end
it's now the fourth year that we've been waiting for this refuge outside a primary
school where 900 children go to school.
They're an Active Travel School, they regularly have 60 to 70 per cent of
children either on foot, bike or scooters around this area, and there is no safe
crossing point between most of these roads. It is wrong. It is just flat plain
wrong that the LORD MAYOR refuses to fund the important project, which is
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 140 really a small project. We're talking—we're not talking a lot of money here.
They're about $30,000 each, these refuges, and it is wrong that there is no
funding being allocated towards road safety projects around Graceville State
School.
I am extremely concerned. The school P&C president, the Active School Travel
president, they've all contacted the LORD MAYOR directly and these people
are hurt and they do not understand. They live in Chelmer, they live in
Graceville, they vote for the LORD MAYOR, they pay their rates, and they
don't see any investment being made in the safety of their children around their
schools. I can tell you they don't blame me. They understand the situation
completely and they don't like being dictated to about how they vote.
Now the reason I've done the swap here is because Councillor de WIT has
another road project being funded under this line item in Kenmore so she's not
going to miss out completely. There's a $180,000 project at Kenmore for
Brookfield Road so she still has a lovely project to go and talk to her residents
about. But I think it is vitally important that this funding is shared around fairly
to ensure that again this important safety project for young children is actually
funded.
I am extremely disappointed that the LORD MAYOR chose not to fund it again
in allocating funds in the budget and I think that the school will be as well. I
mean I'm not really sure what the LNP thinks is—let's say an LNP Councillor
wins next year. Are they suddenly going to put all this money into Tennyson
Ward the budget after that? I mean, people aren't stupid and you keep treating
them like they are and I think it is very disappointing.
So in light of the fact that there is basically only minor amounts allocated to
Tennyson Ward in this budget, I believe this is an important safety project that
will assist children who go to school at Graceville, who go to school in this great
Active Travel school. It is wrong that for over a decade the Park Road refuge
has not been funded, and for the past four years no funding's been provided for
the Acacia Street, Richardson Street refuge.
So what this amendment does is ask for $68,000 from a $2.7 million budget
allocation to be reallocated to Graceville to ensure there is fairness in the way in
which budget funds are allocated to our community.
Chairman:
Further debate on the amendment?
Councillor JOHNSTON?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Once again, Madam Chairman, silence and again I can't wait to see who you
actually put up to run against me next time because I can tell you I'll go
around—I will show them the transcripts—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, I will go around; I will show them these transcripts. I will take them to
every single meeting I go to, Madam Chairman—
Councillor MURPHY:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order against you Councillor JOHNSTON.
Yes, Councillor MURPHY?
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, this is not about Councillor JOHNSTON's electioneering,
this is about the amendment—the amendment.
Chairman:
Yes, thank you.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 141 Councillor, the amendment.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I'm summing up the silence, Madam Chairman. I am summing up the silence,
and what I will do is make sure that the ratepayers of Tennyson Ward
understand that the LNP is silent on the issue of safety around Graceville State
School; that they cannot even stand up in this place and justify their actions with
a comment on the record. That silence reflects poorly on them in my view.
If they think that playing politics is the way to go, that reflects badly on them,
not on the community that I represent, who in good faith pay their rates,
contribute to the governance of this city, participate in all aspects of life. It's one
of the most volunteer-strong areas we've got. We've got brilliant school
participation in—
Chairman:
Back to your amendment please, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—and this Council—this Council can't be bothered to support a road safety
program for school children in one of the largest primary schools in the district.
I think that's disappointing, and when I think, Madam Chairman, that they
couldn't even be bothered to stand up for two minutes and say anything, that is
just pathetic and lazy.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for the amendment.
Amendment put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the amendment and it was declared lost on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Milton DICK
immediately rose and called for a division, which resulted in the motion being declared lost.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
NOES: 25 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER,
Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.
Chairman:
Further debate on Program 2?
Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on Program 2, Moving Brisbane and I've got
to say something about Councillor GRIFFITHS's comments just before because
they were truly some of the most absurd things I've ever heard in this Chamber.
There's a line from Billy Madison—that was one of the most insanely idiotic
things I've ever heard in my life and it rings true from Councillor GRIFFITHS's
comments just before. Firstly he said we had no vision, we had no vision. This is
from an opposition that hasn't outlined a single public transport alternative
vision in now four successive budget reply speeches. So I mean, come on, the
fact that they don't have a single other thing to say when it comes to public
transport and he tells us that we don't have a vision. I mean come on,
Madam Chairman, that is absolutely absurd.
Then was the outrageous claim that it was the LNP that raised public transport
fares in this city by 7.5 per cent. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 142 Year after year Councillor GRIFFITHS stands silent as the former State Labor
Government raises public transport fares by 15 per cent year, on year, on year,
on year and he says absolutely nothing, but when we cut that increase by half it's
an outrage, it's a disgrace, oh. All of a sudden then it's a price-driven thing. Yes,
then it's a price-driven thing.
Look, Mark Bailey needs to help Councillor GRIFFITHS out. He needs to tell
him a little bit about how public transport works and how price is probably the
most important factor when it comes to getting people on and off public
transport.
Then was the purler that he accused us of focussing on inner-city projects. Well
we know if we read the Brisbane Times from last week that three out of the six
announcements that Labor's lord mayoral candidate made were actually
inner-city projects, one of which was a $120 million bridge that he's promised to
go it alone from Kangaroo Point which is Councillor ABRAHAMS's pet project,
and we're the ones focussing on inner-city shiny baubles. Okay, alright.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor MURPHY:
Yes, oh that must be a southside project; trying to get some money back into the
southside, Madam Chairman. Absolutely ridiculous.
We know $120 million would pay for four years’ worth of bikeway projects; it
would pay for more than the resurfacing that we have committed to in this year's
budget. What an absolute ridiculous speech from Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Then came my favourite part; it was his killing floor moment where he referred
to parking meters as a tax—when Julia Gillard last night said, oh you refer to it
as whatever you want to refer to it. He said it was our tax and our parking
meters are a tax, Madam Chairman. They aren't a service that Council runs to try
and get some equity when it comes to parking spaces in the inner-city by turning
them over. They're now just some sort of a tax.
So we'll be going out to businesses and we'll be telling them that it's
Councillor GRIFFITHS program—and look he's throwing his book away in
disgust. He's so angry that he's been caught out calling parking meters a tax, that
he's upset himself and that he's gone and embarrassed himself in this way. What
an absolute disgrace.
Now look, I want to talk about the Program 2, Moving Brisbane. It is where the
rubber really hits the road and rightly so, Madam Chairman. This
Administration believes, as Councillor SCHRINNER said before, in mobility. It
doesn't matter whether you drive a car, it doesn't matter whether you ride a bus,
it doesn't matter whether you ride a train, a ferry or a CityCat or whether you use
our highly successful CityCycle scheme. This Administration will be your
friend, and in the 2015-16 Program 2 allocates—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor MURPHY:
—the 2015-16 program allocates $406 million of expenditure rising to
$642 million of expenditure in the out years, not including capital. This gets on
with the job of constructing important major projects in our city.
We've got three projects that I want to talk about today and the first one is
Wynnum Road Corridor - Stage 1. Now we know this corridor was chronically
neglected in the Labor years, and we've been working over the last few years to
undertake a lot of Congestion Reduction Unit projects on Wynnum Road to try
and increase the throughput, but ultimately we know that it's only through a full
upgrade that we can get this road moving again. Residents in my ward know that
it's only an LNP Administration that will deliver a Wynnum Road upgrade.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 143 -
At that time, 2.35pm, the Deputy Chairman, Councillor Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, assumed the Chair.
There's ICB four-laning, Madam Chairman; $80 million allocated to this in the
budget over the forward estimates. This is the only road that the Labor Party
could ever lay claim to building in its modern history, and now we are going and
upgrading it. I'd like to think of the ICB as a little bit like a powerboard that you
might plug your TV into, your DVD player, your Xbox One and a few things
like that. It's really important that that powerboard has capacity for all the
different appliances that you're plugging into it, because the ICB is our
inner-city arterial.
So the LORD MAYOR has very wisely recognised that there are now several
road projects; there is Airport Link, there is the Go Between Bridge,
Legacy Way any day now. There is a range of projects that are now plugging
into the ICB and we need to ensure that that road has the capacity to take extra
growth into the future. If we can get some good public transport outcomes by
connecting it to the Inner Northern Busway then absolutely that's something that
we should look at.
Now of course there's the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade. We have of course
completed stage 1A of that in past years. This is a major link to the Australian
Trade Coast. It's a road that, although it's on the other side of the river, is very
important to my residents as well as I'm sure it is to many other residents on the
northside and the southside that use this road as an access to the Trade Coast.
We know that the Labor Party put this project in the too-hard basket for many
years, Madam Chairman. Because it was such a big road they just said, oh well
we just won't do it. What we'll do is we'll just push more people onto public
transport, but of course we know you can't do that when you're pushing the fares
up by 15 per cent every year. Under this Administration we will see
Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade delivered.
This year we also have $28 million in this financial year to complete additional
bikeway links throughout the city. We continue to build the network that will
encourage more commuter cyclists onto the bikeways throughout our city, and I
always say that this city was not a city that is built for cycles; it is a city that was
built for cars. So it is a very expensive process going and retrofitting a city that
was designed and built for cars to a city that is friendly to cyclists, and it
probably will never be completed. It will be an ongoing process, but we are
certainly delivering the money to make sure that it is something that we can
work towards achieving in the next few years.
Madam Acting Chair, CityCats—these of course were a fantastic initiative of
previous administrations, Labor Administrations, but these first CityCats that
were delivered under the program are now reaching end-of-life, and it's
important that we refresh them, that we refurbish them, to ensure that they meet
the standards for disability compliance and for safety and electronics reasons. So
it's good to see that this budget delivers the funding for a mid-life refresh—
sorry, end-of-life refresh for those CityCats.
I want to talk a little bit about CityCycle. We know that that program has been a
massive success and it grows every year. We saw in the media recently that
CityCycle will have its millionth trip. I think it's this month; fantastic to see.
We've got the monthly reporting stats for it here; 984,000 trips taken since it
opened on 1 October 2010, Madam Acting Chair, and we've got to think how
many cars has that taken off the road.
You want to talk about a roads diet; look at CityCycle. That is taking people out
of cars and putting them onto a public bike hire scheme, and we know that most
world cities have public bike hire schemes okay. As I said, yes, we are a city
that was built for cars, but we need to be leaders in this space. We absolutely
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 144 need to lead other capital cities here in Australia and to lead the world when it
comes to public bike hire schemes. So this Administration makes no apologies
for CityCycle. We think it's a great scheme and we will continue to support it
into the future.
Madam Acting Chair, this program also delivers $100 million for road
resurfacing. It has been worrisome to watch over the last few years how the
several major storm events and floods have affected our road network, as
Councillor SCHRINNER has identified. The amount of rain that we have
received does impact on our roads in this subtropical city, and so we do need to
be investing all that we can in ensuring that our roads are smooth.
When you go down to Sydney and you have a look at their roads, the roads that
you get from several Councils operating out of sync in an area, you see just how
lucky we are to have this Council operating the roads in Brisbane as they do.
Even as you go further out from Brisbane into other Councils that will remain
nameless, and of course the state road network, you see what a good job this
Administration does with road resurfacing. To see this boost to $100 million in
this financial year I think will really see Brisbane roads just take that next step
up.
Madam Chairman, just quickly, in these schedules for Doboy Ward, we have the
Active Communities Carina project which is $545,000. This is delivering a
range of bikeway projects across Doboy Ward that underwent consultation in
the last financial year and this year we'll get on with that construction. There's a
bikeway connecting the Minnippi Parklands to Kate Street at Carina, as well as
a bikeway connecting through Richmond Road, also in Carina.
We have the road network design for Green Camp Road, Manly Road to
Ricketts Road at Wakerley which is $380,000 allocated in this budget.
Madam Chairman, this is a very important road for—
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor MURPHY your time has expired.
Councillor MURPHY:
Thank you.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor NEWTON:
Thanks very much, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on Program 2 of the Council
budget today. I'm pleased to be up speaking on Moving Brisbane.
The Infrastructure Chair spoke earlier in this debate about freedom of choice. I
note that this a term that he frequently uses when he talks about Brisbane
residents and how we move around our city. Now you'd write—my apologies—
I'd like to borrow—I've completely lost my train of thought—Madam Chair, I
can see that Councillor SCHRINNER does enjoy a bit of a libertarian streak
because, of course, this is about the right of the individual choosing their own
actions. I'm not commenting on whether that's a good thing or a bad thing; I'm
just particularly noting I guess the philosophy that is the basis of
Councillor SCHRINNER's statements.
I'd like to borrow a phrase from somebody else today too, Madam Chair. I'd like
to borrow a phrase from new wave musicians, Devo. They had a song called
Freedom of Choice, but of course the song ends with freedom from choice, and
the reality is when it comes to Moving Brisbane in this year's budget, that's how
residents and visitors to this city are being treated in the way they move around.
If you use terms like freedom of choice you'd be forgiven to thinking there's
some sort of level playing field when it comes to funding choices in this year's
budget. Let's look at the choice the LNP has made and this LORD MAYOR has
made when it comes to the prioritisation of how ratepayers' dollars are spent in
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 145 this year's budget. If you take a look at the capital spend, Madam Chair, which I
know is nearly half of last year's, Madam Chair, the capital spend in total is
$354.966 million in total. We see $34.529 million spent on active transport, we
see $44.987 million on public transport and the remaining $275.45 million spent
on the transport network, Madam Chair.
So the choice the LNP have made in terms of how capital spend is being made is
on the transport network. Seventy-eight per cent is being spent on the transport
network; not on public transport, not on active transport in this budget. But the
expenses reflect that as well, Madam Chair. When you look at the total
expenditure in the expense column, $638.254 million spent in total in expenses.
On public transport, we see $141.888 million on public transport, as I
mentioned. Under active transport we have $6.688 million on the active
transport, but the transport network itself, $489.678 million. That's 77 per cent
of the budget.
So that's the choice. So when the LNP use the term, freedom of choice in this
Chamber, we know that their freedom of choice is to spend more on the road
network than any other form of transport in this city. It's indeed freedom from
choice for Brisbane residents.
But, Madam Chair, I'd like to take us back and remind people on what we were
to expect this term. Because I guess this year's budget is a little bit of a report
card on how things have gone. There were promises made back in the lead up to
the 2012 election, and now's the time to reassess, or asses. We've had a lot of
reflection today from other members on the other side of the Chamber. I'd like to
reflect on what has happened over the past four years in terms of bus purchases.
Madam Chair, I'd just like to remind the Chamber in 2012, the LORD MAYOR
and his team announced that there would be 90 new buses a year purchased
every year over the term of office. In fact, I can read from the article in The
Courier-Mail on 23 April 2012. It says, LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk will
today pledge to add another 360 buses to Council's fleet over the next four years
if he and his Administration gain office for another term of office in Saturday's
poll.
Madam Chairman, that was 360 buses over this term of office. Indeed, the
headline mentions in that article that commuters would benefit from 90 new
buses a year if the LNP were to retain control of Brisbane's City Hall,
Madam Chair. This is what the residents of Brisbane were promised. This is
what they were promised and this is what—when they voted LNP, and voted for
Councillor QUIRK as LORD MAYOR, they were voting for 360 buses to be
delivered in this term of office, Madam Chair.
So as I said, let's fast forward to what has been delivered over the term as
opposed to what was promised. Now full marks, when you look at the first
budget delivered by LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk. He said in his budget
speech, Madam Chair, over the next 12 months, we will build 90 new rigid
equivalent buses at the cost of $42 million. He then went on to say,
Madam Chair, in this budget speech, we will repeat this investment each year
over the next four years to put a total of 360 new buses on the road,
Madam Chair.
That was there, in black and white, in the LORD MAYOR's speech in this
Chamber in 2012. So yes, indeed, in the 2012 budget we saw 90 buses or bus
equivalents, as the phrase is, in the Council budget. In the 2013-14 Council
Budget, we saw the LORD MAYOR again, tick, deliver on his commitment for
90 new equivalent buses. Credit where credit's due, Madam Chair.
But what did we see in 2014? We saw the promise abandoned. We saw that
commitment to the ratepayers of Brisbane dropped. We saw the pact that had
been made torn up and thrown away, Madam Chair. So instead of delivering
360 new buses over the term, we only saw 300 being delivered over the term
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 146 with the 60 being promised again in this year's budget. So that's for $22 million
being spent.
But, Madam Chair, it's actually worse than that. Because we hear people saying,
new buses, new buses, new buses, but the reality is, we're barely keeping up
with retirement of the old buses, Madam Chair. So we would be forgiven for
thinking, and indeed the ratepayers who saw that article would be forgiven for
thinking that they were going to get 360 additional buses in the bus fleet to
improve services, to make more frequent services, more reliable services.
Because that is what people want out of their public transport choice,
Madam Chair.
What do we see? Whoa, a dismal result as we know from previous answer to
questions on notice where we saw in the 2013-14 year, 159 buses, 159 buses
retired from this fleet, Madam Chair. Not bus equivalent, 159 actual buses.
Councillor BOURKE:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Deputy Chairman:
Points of order against you Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor BOURKE.
Councillor BOURKE:
I've been listening intently for the last four minutes and Councillor NEWTON
hasn't referenced the budget book or a service item or a line item in the budget.
Can you please bring her back to the budget that we have before us, please.
Deputy Chairman:
Councillor NEWTON is referring to the public and active transport part of the
budget. Councillor NEWTON, if you can be a little bit more specific as you
continue on, that would be appreciated.
Councillor NEWTON:
Absolutely, I'm more than happy to talk about this, Madam Chair. I'm talking
specifically about the bus build, page 55 for Councillor BOURKE's assistance.
If he looks under service 2.2.2.1, it has bus build listed, Madam Chair. I'm
talking about what the net result is from this supposed bus build, Madam Chair.
So as I mentioned, in 2013-14, we saw 159 buses retire, last financial year we
saw up to 60 buses retire. When I asked Councillor MATIC how many buses are
anticipated to be retired in the 2015-16 Council Budget, I was told 60 buses,
Madam Chair.
So in this year's budget, we're seeing the LNP retiring as many buses as they're
putting on the road, Madam Chair. Now I don't disagree with the need to retire
old buses. I don't think anyone on any side of the Chamber would say that we
should have buses on the road that outstay their appropriate age on the fleet. No
one's suggesting that, Madam Chair. But I think it's important that the LNP
Administration is honest and upfront with the people of Brisbane.
They promised 360, delivered only 300. But not only are those 300 not
additional buses in our fleet, they're merely keeping track with the numbers,
treading water. So, Madam Chair, this LNP Administration wants praise and
thanks but all that is happening is maintaining the current levels of buses in the
fleet. They want praise for holding the ground, which is laughable.
So, Madam Chair, what's the LNP's choice when it comes to public transport?
It's maintaining our current bus fleet numbers. As we've seen in the past, it's
been selling off the CityCats and bus depots. As we saw only 18 months ago, it
was cutting $20 million from public transport, rather than reinvesting it into new
services and improving the network.
Madam Chair, what we've seen today is this LORD MAYOR and this LNP have
exercised a freedom of choice to do nothing new in the field of our bus fleet,
Madam Chair. So March next year, Madam Chair, residents will have a freedom
of choice to make a decision about who will really make improvements when it
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 147 comes to putting a focus on public transport in this city when they vote next
year.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor de WIT.
Councillor de WIT:
Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Chairman, and I rise with pleasure to
speak on Program 2, Moving Brisbane. It's really a mega program and at the
outset I would like to extend my thanks the DEPUTY MAYOR, the
LORD MAYOR, Councillor SIMMONDS and everyone involved in the
preparation of this budget. Because having been there, I know it's no easy task. I
think as the years go on, it becomes more difficult as the demands become
greater and the dollars become less.
But, Madam Deputy Chairman, I can say that this is what we call a very
balanced funding program. It would be easy with the $2.6 billion that is the
entire Council budget, you could easily spend it on this program and you would
still have a long way to go. Because in a growing city, new world city, the
demands on infrastructure are such and they continue to grow. So when I say it's
balanced, it's balanced because not only do we have to be providing new
infrastructure and in this budget of course we've got the headline items like
Kingsford Smith Drive, Wynnum Road, the widening of the ICB. There are
major projects like that which are absolutely essential.
But also, there has to be significant money for the maintenance and replacement
of ageing infrastructure. That is something that people often overlook. I think
you have to look at the age of infrastructure in Brisbane—a lot of our roads, our
bridges—and they are reaching that stage where they either need replacement or
a lot of money spent on them. So that's not the headline stuff that will get you a
pat on the back, but it's work that must be done and as a very responsible
Administration there is money allocated for these things.
For example, a previous speaker mentioned the $17.5 million in this budget for
footpath reconstruction. Not new construction, that's reconstruction of old
footpaths across the city. We look at $4.5 million upgrading ferry terminals to
make them DDA-compliant. Again, this is a program that has been ongoing and
likewise with the buses, reaching DDA compliance for our bus fleet, for our
terminals, it is all part of our access and inclusion policy that requires a lot of
funds in order to meet the standards and provide the right level of service for all
of our residents.
Madam Deputy Chairman, something that took me back to my early days in this
place was when I read the line item about the re-life of the first CityCats. Again,
I remember the CityCats coming online, and it's just hard to believe that they're
at that age where they need re-lifing, as they call it. I guess I'm saying I've been
here a long time—not as long as Councillor KNAPP—no, same time
as Councillor KNAPP, that's right, we did start together didn't we, and
Councillor FLESSER.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor de WIT:
Probably do, Councillor CUMMING. There are times when I feel like that. But,
Madam Deputy Chairman, I shouldn't be distracted should I? Bridge and culvert
reconstruction and rehabilitation. Now page 160 of this document, if you look at
some of the line items that are in there, again it just drives home my point—if I
find page 160, the Walter Taylor Bridge for example. Footpath barrier, gantry
upgrade, steelwork painting. Then the William Jolly Bridge repair river piers.
That's the sort of work that really is not visible, is not obvious to the general
public, nor do they have any idea of just how much money it takes to keep this
infrastructure up to scratch.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 148 I can well recall when I was Chairman of Infrastructure, the work that we had to
do on the Story Bridge in terms of major maintenance. The Wynnum Road
bridge there to Tingalpa, $346,000. So even some of those small bridges around
the city require ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation.
Madam Deputy Chairman, one of the—and in fact, I think I've got a bridge in
my own area there, the Kholo Road bridge, Kholo Bridge, $141,000. That's a
little one-lane bridge which is owned a quarter by Ipswich and three quarters by
Brisbane. We have had a lot of problems with that in recent years with the
flooding and the footpath barrier, repeatedly we've tried to put in barriers to stop
people jumping off the bridge into the river which is very attractive, but it's an
ongoing problem.
In talking about a balanced budget, in this program—again it's not just about the
new and replaced infrastructure—but if we look at page 49, for example, you
see a lot of these other functions under this program that are funded. For
example, the continued operation of the Congestion Reduction Unit, that very
excellent unit which was established by former Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.
They do some great work around the city. Again, I guess it's something that the
average person doesn't realise who they are or what they do, but they do great
work in helping to free up congestion. Because that's what they're about,
congestion reduction.
We've got the continued rotation of the portable speed warning signs. Again, it
costs dollars every time one of those signs has to be moved and there's 26 of
them in the city and they all need moving about every month. Another one there,
another 100 free motorcycle spaces to be installed within the inner-city. This is a
program that has been ongoing for some years—very valuable program because
a motorcycle certainly takes up less space on the road than a motor vehicle.
Also, assisting Queensland Rail with the installation of the bridge strike breams
and safety signage; helping out the State Government yet again. But,
Madam Deputy Chairman, just looking locally—and it's a pity about
Councillor JOHNSTON depriving me of one of—trying to deprive me of one of
my projects; I don't get that many out my way, and particularly at a very
dangerous intersection. But anyway, I didn't expect that she would know
anything about it.
When we look at the road resurfacing program that we've got, there are some
very major ones in my ward. In particular I'd mention Lake Manchester Road at
Kholo. Last year, we had funding to finish sealing Lake Manchester Road. It's
quite a busy road and it's been gravel forever. We got that sealed but now the
asphalt section from Swensons Road through to Ben Varden Avenue has to be
resealed—resurfaced and there's about $400,000 to do that. It's quite a long
distance.
The far western end of my ward has benefited from a number of road
resurfacing projects; Mountain Vista Court at Mount Crosby, Karana Court at
Karana Downs and Acacia Court at Mount Crosby. So the people in the far west
will be very happy with that.
Another quite expensive project is resurfacing Witty Road at Moggill and it's
another one of these quite long, rural roads. Councillor BOURKE, you're
probably familiar with Witty Road, I'd imagine, and Councillor SIMMONDS.
Narrow, rural road which is starting to get a lot of urban development along it.
So there's money there for that as well. A big one: Kenmore Road, that is the
chief rat run from Moggill Road to try and avoid the Kenmore roundabout and
Moggill Road to get to the Western Freeway, has a lot of traffic. I've been
watching that one deteriorating in the last year. That is listed for resurfacing, as
is Marshall Lane, another one of very busy streets in Kenmore.
If only we could get the State Government to build a Kenmore bypass, we
would be able to overcome an awful lot of the traffic congestion through
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 149 my ward. But I realise that that's not about to happen. But,
Madam Deputy Chairman, I would just like to commend the people who have
been involved in this program. As I say, it is a mega program. There is so much
that you can talk about in here. It is very balanced; it's dealing with all of the
issues that we have to deal with. It would be very tempting to say, well this
would be more popular than doing that, so that's what we'll do. But that's not the
approach of this LORD MAYOR and this Administration. Because they are a
responsible Administration in how they determine what is going to be funded
and when.
It's easy to be in opposition and sit and throw stones, I've been there. But you've
got to be realistic. If people want more, it's going to cost more and where does
the money come from? I'm sure that the people of Brisbane can't wear more in
the way of increased rates, so it's a case of balancing the books and having a
very balanced approach to doing the budget and determining what is the highest
priority when it comes to the Moving Brisbane and other programs that we have
today.
I strongly commend this program to the Chamber.
Deputy Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I also wish to join the debate and I will be
particularly focusing on the active transport and other parts of the program.
Madam Chair, in active transport there has been a $2.5 million reduction in
expense from what was predicted, with also a just-under $3 million reduction in
the capital of what was predicted to be in this budget. Madam Chair, those two
together are significant, being almost $6 million less than should be designed
and ready to go in this project area.
At that time, 3.01pm, the Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, resumed the Chair.
Madam Chair, as these was almost a $1 million reduction from expenditure in
projects in the third budget review, there really should have been substantial
increase in the expenditure in active transport. Is it there? No, Madam Chair, it
is not. So we are seeing not only, as we know will be in this budget, projects that
are unlikely to be delivered; we are seeing reductions on what was predicted and
savings that have not been incorporated into this year's budget. So overall,
Madam Chair, that means there are cuts in the active transport program.
Madam Chair, as well as that there has been a $2.2 million increase in
infrastructure charges that were taken, and again that should be money that
should be—as I've often said on this matter—spent quickly and timely while it
keeps its dollar value. So I look for what projects would most likely be funded
from some additional infrastructure on transport. I believe it would be the
congestion reduction program because that's where it is part of the network and
to maximise the network.
So, Madam Chair, was there any increase in that area to reflect the increased
infrastructure charges? No, absolutely not. It was $5.9 million which was
exactly what they predicted last year and what they're spending this year. So,
Madam Chair, money is being accrued and not being spent very wisely at all.
That means you end up in a situation of having to play catch-up. Catch-up on
the provision. There could be nothing clearer than the catch-up that is required
in this program than in road resurfacing, Madam Chair.
It's either catch-up or pork barrelling, and when you say pork barrelling, the
other side of the Chamber don't seem to like it, so let's just call it catch up.
Because the previous budget document said there was going to be $16 million
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 150 for road resurfacing and we have got $100 million in this budget. Now I suggest
to you, Madam Chair, the roads that are being done in my ward have needed to
be done for the last three, four, five years. It was clear they were deteriorating—
and I'm particularly talking about Vulture Street that hasn't been done and
Annerley Road and Stanley Street that thankfully are being done.
So, Madam Chair, I am concerned that while we're seeing the need of what the
additional cost is for catch-up in road resurfacing, the LNP are doing exactly the
same where it comes to the other major projects in terms of reducing congestion
in our city, by not using that $2.2 million wisely.
Madam Chair, it was very interesting because Councillor SCHRINNER said, oh
we've got a balanced approach; we haven't got an ideological approach to
transport. I would suggest to you that the tunnels is probably one of the most
ideological approaches to the transport of our city that we have seen for a long
time. Madam Chair, when those tunnels bit, what did we see but a reduction in
the money allocated to public transport. Tell me that's not ideological. Of course
it is, Madam Chair.
But I'm just a bit interested in—it's the defending some of the positions I've had.
The road diet—and I will do it more in the next program because it actually
applies to that. But this Administration, while they are still ridiculing my
comment when made as a Council officer about road dieting, are in fact doing it
in this budget. So how's that for total hypocrisy? Because that is exactly what
the Edward Street upgrade is.
Madam Chair, when it comes to a congestion toll, you go to everybody who
comes into South Bank using the train and using the public transport, and asking
them why they are doing so, it is because of the parking and the cost of parking.
Madam Chair, that shows there is appropriate in a strategy to actually have a
cost to encourage people to use our public transport. The visitors to South Bank
probably reflected par excellence and I would also suggest that workers coming
into the city do so.
Parking is a toll. Talk to the residents and they will tell you it is a toll that
actively prevents them coming to the city. What do they need to still be able to
come to the city? Appropriate public transport. Madam Chair, I will defend that
statement that appropriate public transport, better public transport, is what we
need if we are going to reduce congestion in our city.
Madam Chair, the issue Councillor MURPHY—Councillor MURPHY decided
it was time to defend CityCycle. Now, Madam Chair, I have not been one on
this side that has really got into gusto of attacking CityCycle because I know—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Because I know if there is any hope of them ever working, it will be my
residents that do so, and possibly some of Councillor HOWARD's. So let's be
quite clear. But, Madam Chair, for Councillor MURPHY to get up and say it is a
very successful program and it is taking people out of cars, well Councillor
MURPHY, the data shows you're wrong. A Mr E Fishman in 2014 actually
undertook the research. What did the research show—and the heading of the
research was, ‘Bike Share's Impact on Car Use’. He was comparing the USA,
Great Britain and Australia.
In Australia, it was Melbourne and Brisbane, and what were the figures for
Melbourne? What is the greatest number of people who are using CityCycle
compared to what other transport they previously used? Not cars, buses—with
43 per cent using buses. So, more room for buses—on the buses for those that
need it, jolly good, not knocking that at all. But it is interesting at the same time
as we had CityCycle, we have had a reduction in the amount of money spent on
buses. So maybe this is a microcosm of a larger strategy on their side.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 151 What was the second greatest mode share that used CityCycle? Walkers, at
24 per cent were walkers. When it got down to people getting out of their cars
and using CityCycle, what do you think the average might have been? Looks
like seven to eight per cent. So I would suggest, that isn't even one in five. So,
Madam Chair, I would refute what Councillor MURPHY has said in terms of
that area.
The other one that needs refuting is the Kangaroo Point pedestrian bridge, the
promised Kangaroo Point pedestrian bridge, a bridge that has been in every
strategic document that has—
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, I don't think that one's in this budget at all, actually.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
—no, because it's been cut.
Chairman:
Exactly.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Because it's been cut, that's the whole point, Madam Chair.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, stop yelling. We are supposed to be debating the current
budget.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Madam Chair, I am making the comparison between the forward estimates of
other budgets and this budget, and it is not—it should be in this budget,
Madam Chair. The LORD MAYOR stated not that it didn't have benefit, but he
just didn't like the new cost. Councillor MURPHY said, it was to serve the
southern suburbs. Wrong again. That bridge is an important link for active
transport for the eastern suburbs, being Norman Park, East Brisbane, Hawthorne
and Balmoral. All that is low and can very readily and very quickly have access
to the city.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, your time has expired, thank you.
Further debate?
Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak to Program 2. Before I
enter into my debate, I'd just immediately like to respond to a comment made by
Councillor ABRAHAMS where she said that parking is a toll. I think it's quite
interesting to hear that commentary from Councillor ABRAHAMS when we all
know in 2002, in the Australian Labor Party's transport plan that was approved
by full Council late 2003, there was something in there, Madam Chair, that you
might recall, I'm sure the LORD MAYOR would recall, and it was specifically a
specific proposal put forward about—I think it was about taxing car parking in
the CBD.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
It was about exactly what Councillor ABRAHAMS now seems to be changing
her mind on where she's saying that parking in the city is a toll and it impacts on
businesses. But who was the person, who was the party who was actually
proposing this not so very long ago? In fact, it was the Australian Labor Party.
So the hypocrisy, disappointingly, Madam Chair, continues.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor COOPER:
There was also CityCycle, thank you for reminding me—through you,
Madam Chair, thank you Councillor SIMMONDS. They had all sorts of goodies
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 152 tucked away in their transport plan which they have now completely stepped
away from, Madam Chair. Now in terms of Program 2, what it's currently got in
it, has got some fantastic outcomes.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor COOPER:
Particularly, I think a number of Councillors have spoken about the Active
School Travel program. It has, I think, been something that has been a fantastic
success across the city. I know that Saint Dympna's, one of my schools, has seen
a whole huge upsurge with the parents, in particular, taking responsibility for
promoting these sorts of outcomes. They have had all sorts of special days. I've
been down there, they've dressed up, they have created special walk to school
programs, the parents have really gone to it with an absolute vengeance.
It has really; I think for most schools which tend to be surrounded by residential
areas, they have taken on this as a real challenge. I'd like to congratulate all the
schools across the city who participate in this program for their efforts in their
regard. In particular, we've also got the active transport in the community. So
this initiative which was set up by LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk, I'd
particularly like to thank him for this initiative to encourage active travel goals
for our entire community.
This is—particularly we've got $445,000 for active communities for Aspley. So
Councillor KING, Councillor WYNDHAM and I all share Aspley, we all meet
at three points there at the corner of Robinson and Gympie Road. We all share
very nicely and we are delighted to see this funding that has been proposed. So
we all get something out of it, we're all very good at sharing.
In particular for me, there'll be a new three metre wide concrete pathway on
Zillmere Road, so we've got a number of schools; Aspley Special School,
Aspley High School, Aspley East State School, who all really do benefit from
this particular project. We'll see a signalised pedestrian crossing at the state
school, so that's already there, but this will continue on to Fred Campbell Park
and through to Cooyar Street. So this is a great outcome.
We've also got a traffic island being installed at the corner of Hutton and
Zillmere roads to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists crossing at this
location. This area's also used by Guide Dogs Queensland to do training for their
dogs and for people who are soon to be able to use those dogs. So they will also
be able to benefit from that significant investment by the LORD MAYOR. I also
want to of course thank Councillor MATIC for his support.
So it's a great outcome, it really does link schools with public transport
outcomes. It delivers good bike and pedestrian pathways, it promotes a much
more enjoyable, safe and shady connection throughout our suburbs. So our local
area are delighted to see that opportunity coming forward.
In particular I really want to thank the DEPUTY MAYOR for service 2.3.2.2,
that is the improved local transport networks. So Murphy Road, which is a
multi-lane road which was previously unable to be delivering an outcome to
improve the safety for Zillmere State School, will now see through the enhanced
school zone signage. So this program will see new school zones, including
enhanced flashing signs, which will benefit Zillmere State School—so that's one
of my schools—and also Saint Flannan's Catholic Primary School, so that's in
Deagon Ward but also has a number of my residents who do, and it's a great
school.
Both of those schools will be absolutely thrilled to see this project come
forward. They've been really keen to try and promote safety. Murphy Road is a
very, very busy road for our northern suburbs and I know that both I as the ward
Councillor for Bracken Ridge and I'm sure that Councillor NEWTON would be
thrilled to see St Flannan's getting that as well as Zillmere State School.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 153 Also in the budget for Program 2, we've got the corridor upgrade to Telegraph
Road corridor. Particularly it's extremely welcome, we have significant growth
in the northern suburbs and I note the former Urban Land Development
Authority, now Economic Development Queensland, with Fitzgibbon with those
thousands and thousands of people who've moved into that local area, without
any upgrades to existing infrastructure at all. No infrastructure charges also paid.
So pretty disappointed to see that didn't actually deliver any outcomes for my
local residents and this Council—thank you, Councillor ABRAHAMS—this
Council has had to pay the bill, basically, that was written by the State
Government.
So this project with Telegraph Road Stage 1b capital of nearly $17 million—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
Councillor COOPER:
—over three years. So this will take the project from Norris Road to Mustang
Street to follow on with that fantastic $82 million investment in the open level
crossing for my ward. So this is something that is a significant corridor. It
carries a lot of heavy vehicles. So Brendale through to the Gateway Arterial,
through to Gympie Road, those sorts of vehicles that move and make that eastwest connection across the northern suburbs. So an important part of our city,
we will certainly see a really big improvement as a consequence of that
improvement. This will also make a big difference to my local residents. So I
thank the LORD MAYOR and Councillor SCHRINNER for supporting this
project.
Also service 2.3.3.1, Business Improvement Projects (BIPs) and Suburban
Centre Improvement Projects (SCIPs) maintenance and rehabilitation, so we're
seeing over $1 million being invested in capital per year from 2015-16 through
to 2018-19. This has been a fantastic project that the LORD MAYOR has very
kindly given us some additional resources to fund some revitalisation of existing
SCIPs. So at the moment we've got 44 SCIPs, Suburban Centre Improvement
Projects, in our city. Soon to be 46 and I know there's a couple of excited
Councillors in this Chamber looking forward to seeing those new SCIPs opened.
These SCIPs of course, with the passing of time, need sometimes some careful
attention. With that very strong focus on asset maintenance, we have now got a
program to ensure that all of our SCIPs are kept in very good working order. So
we've got specialised maintenance works to replace some of the street furniture,
to review the public art, to do some new plantings, to really do a whole refresh
and revitalisation to make sure it's a safe environment and to of course continue
to make sure that our city is a great place for doing business.
So those strip shops that certainly I think really had a great outcome as a
consequence of the SCIP program. Also this will see them continue to look
fantastic and promote not just our city centre but also to promote our suburban
strip shops which are so very important to us in the middle and outer-ring
suburbs.
In terms of locally, I also want to thank the LORD MAYOR for the—I also
want to thank the LORD MAYOR for the Local Area Traffic Management
(LATM) funding. So $187,000 for Bellicent Road, Bracken Ridge in 2.3.2.2.
This is particularly a great outcome because I know my residents have been very
much actively asking for us to put some traffic calming in this location.
Of course, as all Councillors in this place I think should do, I would particularly
like to acknowledge that significant commitment to road network resurfacing in
2.3.3.1, with that record investment, $100 million investment in our suburbs.
I've got different roads such as Norris Road, Bracken Ridge, Farnell Street,
Zillmere, Kluver Street, Bald Hills, Beams Road, Carseldine, Ellerdale Street,
Aspley who are all going to benefit from this significant investment and I thank
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 154 the LORD MAYOR very, very much, and Councillor SCHRINNER for making
sure that not just the inner city but our whole city looks fantastic over the years
ahead. Thank you very much.
Chairman:
Councillor MURPHY.
ADJOURNMENT:
690/2014-15
At that time, 3.15pm, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor
Kim MARX, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 15 minutes, to commence only when all Councillors had
vacated the Chamber and the doors have been locked.
Council stood adjourned at 3.16pm.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor FLESSER.
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I would like to speak about the
albatross that is hanging around the neck of this Council and that of course is
CityCycle.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
Madam Chair, I can't believe—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor FLESSER:
Councillor MURPHY is in a lot of trouble, Madam Chair, because we know that
CityCycle is a bit like Lord Voldemort; you're not allowed to mention that name
in this Chamber, Madam Chair. It's gone the way of Campbell Newman, Madam
Chair, and I'll tell you why, because, Madam Chair, the LNP Administration is
so proud of CityCycle, the LORD MAYOR forgot to mention it in his budget
speech and it's not even mentioned in the budget. Not even the word; CityCycle
is not even mentioned in the budget. It's such a fantastic program that we could
spend so much time talking about it, but not a single mention of CityCycle in the
budget program, Madam Chair.
Are there any other programs that are not mentioned in the budget,
Madam Chair? No, none that I can think of, but CityCycle certainly is not in
there and we all know why. We all know why, Madam Chair, because those
bikes are out there in the street gathering dust and rust. That's what they're
doing, Madam Chair, and it's costing this Council an enormous amount of
money.
Madam Chair, we know that when the contract was signed, we were told by the
LORD MAYOR at the time that, oh look it's going to be fantastic, it'll be cost
neutral in a couple of years, we're going to make $9 million out of it eventually,
it's a great project. You, Madam Chair, yourself said it would reduce traffic
congestion in the city. Madam Chair, it hasn't done that. Madam Chair, the cost
of CityCycle is just billing up and up and up.
Talking about the cost of it and you'll see there's $3.6 million in expenses in this
year's budget and talking about the cost of it, there's been a bit of debate in the
media over the last couple of days about what it's actually costing Council. We
know there was a question on notice and we got an answer to that question a
couple of weeks ago and it sort of says that the total cost of the net expenditure,
net expenditure, about $14 million since it was implemented. I don't think that
includes this year's expenses either.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 155 Madam Chair, when Councillor MATIC was questioned about it, he said, oh no,
no, it's only $8 million, Madam Chair, that's all it's costing. The bike's only
costing $8 million. Madam Chair, what he's ignoring is that JCDecaux are
making millions of dollars in advertising. Now, Madam Chair, I think there's
167 small signs and 25 larger signs, they're also making revenue from the major
sponsor which I believe is Lipton Iced Tea at the moment. Madam Chair, they're
doing very well. They don't have a great deal of interest to make sure that more
and more people ride the bikes because what we know in the contract and,
Madam Chair, I do recall that most of the contract was commercial in
confidence when it came to this Council Chamber, Madam Chair, what we
know is that Council has to make up any revenue shortfalls for not enough
people riding the bikes. Madam Chair, if there was enough people riding the
bikes, it wouldn’t be costing this Council money, it would be making money out
of it, Madam Chair.
So my question of course to the Administration, directly to the LORD MAYOR,
Madam Chair, is what is actually being done about it? Not a single mention in
the LORD MAYOR's budget speech, not a mention in the budget about
CityCycle. Is the LORD MAYOR actually talking to JCDecaux to find out how
can we reduce this burden on ratepayers? Madam Chair, is he doing that? Is
Council actively promoting CityCycle to tourists? Because we know, Madam
Chair, that commuters are just not interested in it; it's not being used.
So Brisbane's ratepayers are subsidising every one of those CityCycle trips by
many, many dollars. So let's think about what those dollars are. We know that
the expenses cost accounts is well over $14 million and we hear someone say
before that they've almost reached a million rides, so there's at least $14 per ride
that ratepayers are subsidising each time someone gets on a CityCycle.
Madam Chair, a lot of those riders are yearly subscribers or at least quarterly
subscribers. Madam Chair, it's quite clear it would cost ratepayers a lot less if
we actually bought those people bicycles. It would cost them a lot less.
Madam Chair, this scheme is just not being properly managed and I'm really
pleased that Rod Harding is out there and saying that he is absolutely committed
to making sure this scheme works, to try and reduce that burden to ratepayers, to
go and talk to JCDecaux, see what Council can do with JCDecaux to get
especially more tourists on board, Madam Chair, because we need more people
on those bikes to try and save some dollars for ratepayers.
Madam Chair, for Councillor MURPHY to get up and actually talk about
CityCycle, I congratulate him; it's a big risk from that side of the Chamber to
actually use those words. Madam Chair, we don't just want talk about fixing
CityCycle, we need someone who is actually going to go out there and try and
solve the problems. Madam Chair, I'm really pleased that Rod Harding has
announced he'll be doing just that.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise in support of Program 2, Moving Brisbane. I'm
first of all going to start off with by a few comments from
Councillor GRIFFITHS,
Councillor
FLESSER
and
of
course
Councillor ABRAHAMS. Madam Chair, I don't know what's up with the Labor
Party this budget debate, because they seem to be all over the place. All I heard
from Councillor GRIFFITHS was blah, blah, blah, blah, which I believe—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor KING:
—he learnt from somebody that he knows. He also said that we implemented
paid parking in Chermside. Madam Chair, what planet is
Councillor GRIFFITHS on? That's either an outright lie or he's misleading the
people of Brisbane. Council did not implement paid parking out at Chermside.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 156 The interesting thing about—and I'll get back to his comments on CityCycle at
the moment, because I'll blend that in with Councillor FLESSER—but
Councillor ABRAHAMS, I really don't understand or maybe I need a book
about how to understand Councillor ABRAHAMS. Because one moment she's
saying that she's for congestion tax and it's actually printed, that she supports
congestion tax in our city and the next minute she goes, oh no, no, no, no, no, I
don't support congestion tax, I meant parking tax; we should have a parking tax
in our city. But then I seem to remember her voting against parking meters and,
you know—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor KING:
She did pay for park—she voted for it. I just don't understand what she's actually
talking about.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor KING:
Do you want congestion tax or do you actually want more paid parking in our
city?
Now Councillor FLESSER, with all his wisdom and I know he loves riding
bikes because he's out there most weekends and he's actually pretty good at it
and successful in a lot of his racing on his bike, I hear. But really, CityCycle?
It's had over one million people using CityCycle since it was implemented. Even
I don't think the Labor candidate outside got the memo, that don't go near
CityCycle, because he was actually riding CityCycle yesterday. So obviously
you guys, you're going to have to spread your memos out a little bit further
about what your messages are.
The Lord Voldemort is of this side of the Chamber supposed to be a successful
CityCycle? Well let's talk about the Labor's Lord Voldemort. That would be
raising bus fares across this city every year repetitively going up and up and up
until people could not afford to get into the buses. Alternatively, the Newman
Administration actually cut public transport fares by five per cent.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor KING:
It was the first, State wide across our city—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor KING:
So, Madam Chair—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order, both sides!
Councillor KING:
Madam Chair, I would like to speak about the benefits of this budget to the
Marchant Ward residents and north side residents, because obviously we've still
got the north and south side little debate happening in the Chamber today.
Marchant Ward will be receiving over $4 million worth of work and bikeways
in conjunction—it's on our border, so I can't take all the credit—it's on the
border of Councillor WYNDHAM and Councillor WINES as well. But this
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 157 bikeway is connecting Stafford City to Shand Street, also the facilities along in
the park in Shand Street and across over to Councillor WYNDHAM's area. So
it's a great linkage for Councillor WINES, Councillor WYNDHAM and I and
we're looking forward to this being finished.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor KING:
This bikeway has been promised, well has been talked about for seven years,
Councillor WINES, I would say and it's finally being delivered. So I would like
to thank the LORD MAYOR for putting this in his budget. It's also connecting,
as Councillor COOPER was speaking about, parts of Aspley and I'm delighted
to hear that the Councillor working the State Government thanks
Councillor MATIC, with working on safer cycleways from Herston to
Chermside. So that's not all in Marchant Ward of course, but Chermside is
where it goes through Councillor HOWARD and Councillor McLACHLAN's
area.
With record numbers spent on road resurfacing, over $100 million being
invested in road resurfacing across our city; Marchant Ward, although I didn't
get as much as I wanted, we did get approximately 12 local roads being
resurfaced and some of those, our major roads on the north side: Shand Street,
Webster Road and Hamilton Road. The Hamilton Road bit—sorry, Rode Road
bit is up closer to Councillor FLESSER and my boundary. So they are great
work.
To complement last year's budget with the stage two of Strathmore Street—
Scott Street traffic management, we held a very large public meeting at Little
Flower Hall up at Padua with residents to see how it was working. Lots of great
ideas came out of that meeting and I'm happy to see that Nieppe and Cremorne
will be receiving the traffic splitter and also there will be work done on Turner
and Jardine Streets. If anybody knows that particular area, there are 3,000 kids
up there at the school and the Turner and Jardine is a bit of an issue with parents
going into the pick-up areas. So I'm looking forward to see what the Council
officers come up with that one.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor KING:
I will take that interjection, I do not have a child up at that school, so
Councillor JOHNSTON is misleading the Chamber and trying to impute motive.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Well, she shouldn’t be interjecting and that goes for both of you.
Councillor KING:
The Congestion Reduction Unit—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING:
—initiatives in the Marchant Ward, again Webster and Wilgarning Street will be
receiving some work and I'm looking forward to working with residents and the
Council officers to see what they come up with, with that particular intersection.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor KING:
Suburban safety—
Chairman:
Just a minute, Councillor KING.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 158 If you want to have a conversation with someone, please take it outside.
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
Thank you, Madam Chair, I'm just so used to her interjecting and bullying ways
in this Chamber, if I misheard, I apologise.
Suburban street safety enhancement along Kirby Road, Aspley, it's good to see
for some of the residents, especially in Jethro Street, have been looking forward
to this upgrade that they're doing along Kirby Road. It does run into
Councillor COOPER's area, so again, we do like sharing out on the north side
and share our projects through.
Councillor COOPER mentioned about Zillmere State School, even though it's in
her area, I'm delighted to see the improvement works there because it is close
enough to our boundary and I do have students from Marchant Ward who do
attend the Zillmere State School.
So again, Madam Chair, there is so much in this project for the Brisbane and
also the north side and I commend the report. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair, it's always delightful to follow on from Councillor KING
and I'll take a leaf out of Councillor BOURKE who said, I don't know where to
start, with some of the rubbish that we've heard from the LNP. Well first of all
I've got to start with CityCycle. I wasn't planning on talking about CityCycle,
but after hearing the fact that the LNP Council thinks CityCycle is a success—
they're nodding, they believe it's a success. Well I suggest through you to the
LNP councillors, through you, Madam Chair, they need to talk to any Brisbane
resident because they don't think CityCycle is a success.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Any dud scheme that can drain $20 million after the LNP promised that we
would make $9.5 million; quote, ‘so ultimately it won't cost the ratepayers of
Brisbane’. Is anyone seriously thinking draining $20 million is making the
ratepayers $9.5 million? I mean it beggars belief, the CityCycle deniers over
there, who genuinely think it's a success. Quote from Councillor MURPHY, ‘it's
the highly successful CityCycle scheme’ and they're saying, ‘here, here’.
This is what your successful scheme looks like: backpedal on hire price, bike
hire racks up big bill for ratepayers, slow uptake for CityCycle, CityCycle losses
hidden, so that, under your definition and that's just a handful of the media
reports, look, Madam Chair, if in summary today Councillor SCHRINNER can
simply table all of the glowing reports about CityCycle, I'm happy to be proven
wrong, I really am. I really am. The army of spin doctors up in the LORD
MAYOR's office will be listening to every word I'm saying now and I'm sure
they'll be able to provide all of the positive glowing coverage. I'm yet to see it.
I'm yet to see it. I'm yet to see one positive article about CityCycle.
I'll take Councillor KING's suggestion, you bet you our LORD MAYORAL
candidate will continue to keep talking about CityCycle; you've got absolutely
no worries, Councillor KING. We will remind—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
We will remind voters—
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 159 Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
—that your promise, Councillor KING, was to deliver a $9.5 million benefit to
ratepayers and instead they've been racked up with a $20 million bill. So if you
think that's a success and you want us to talk about that, very, very happy to do
so.
Now turning to the program to Moving Brisbane and look I want to quickly
focus on the Inner City Bypass (ICB) upgrade. Now listen I need to put this on
the record and it really goes to show just how much the LNP rewrites history.
The ICB was delivered by a Labor Administration, without a toll and vigorously
and viscously opposed by the LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk, campaigned
against it, went out in the community, rallied against it and now is an ICB
convert. Well I know it's—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
—well it's a bit—you know what it's a bit like? It's a bit like CityCats. Those
people opposite who were serving at the time opposed CityCats. Can you
believe it? The LNP elected people of the day went out and said, ‘oh it's going to
be the death of the Brisbane River, we're going to see the wash coming up’. Can
you believe it?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Can you believe that? That was the LNP's spin. So I'm not having any lectures
from the LNP about some conversion about public transport.
Now when you talk about public transport and I'm glad Councillor NEWTON
put on the record that once again we're seeing broken promises from the LNP
regarding the bus build allocations and we know, in the annual report from last
year, 980,000 fewer residents hopped on buses. Now we know that is a direct
result of the millions and millions of dollars of cuts from the LNP. We know
that. We know that because residents have told us that and until we have a
dedicated Council committed to public transport, we are going to see less people
using public transport.
So I note Councillor NEWTON highlighted the fact that we are seeking broken
promises, we aren't seeing the committed new buses as was promised by every
single LNP Council and now, under 2.2.2.1, we're seeing the allocation for not
60 new buses, 60 replacement buses and—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
—that's exactly and I also notice in the budget, we're looking once again in
Brisbane Transport are cutting employee costs, cutting employee costs. Also, I
note the evidence given today about the commitment to public transport, I think
it was Councillor SCHRINNER who said the Legacy Way Tunnel will also be
delivering improvements for public transport, nowhere near the 2,000 express
bus services that were promised. In correspondence to the ratepayers of
Brisbane, quote, ‘bus users will benefit with up to 2,000 express bus services
able to use Northern Link’. Then yet last week we saw an announcement by the
LORD MAYOR, day after the budget, no other news to actually sell about the
budget, we saw the LORD MAYOR announce the P443 via Legacy Way.
Now I'm willing to take the Administration at their word, thinking that this will
help improvement. Then I saw the news coverage of this which actually has
demonstrated now that the new route would extend the existing trip from
approximately 24.6 kilometres to 29 kilometres. The longer overall distance of
the route may not be offset by faster travel speeds in the tunnel and ultimately
the route would travel into the city via the Inner Northern Busway, potentially
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 160 adding another three stops to the route which would contribute to the increase in
journey time.
Now when I saw that news report, I was horrified that this Council thinks it’s
okay to allow people to sit on buses longer just so that they can get their
patronage numbers up for Legacy Way. I saw Councillor BOURKE standing
behind the LORD MAYOR like a stunned mullet. Now I don’t know what he
was doing there at the announcement, Madam Chair, but I've got to tell you, it is
not good news for commuters when you see announcements ripped apart by the
media and scrutinised which now shows that potentially we'll see longer times
for people using public transport and using Legacy Way, not meeting the
commitment of 2,000 express buses per day as written by then
Campbell Newman Lord Mayor in 2010 to the people of Brisbane, in black and
white. Now we're seeing the so-called trial blowing out times. I don't think that
is good enough in any way, shape or form.
Now moving right along, Madam Chair, I also want to speak about service item
2.3.4.2 City Parking. Now we are led to believe from the LNP that their new
technology that they'll be rolling out will somehow help motorists. Well every
time the LNP talks about new technology, what they're really talking about is
new revenue and new ways to gouge Brisbane's motorists. Call it parking
revenue, call it a tax, what it is, is simply an avenue for the LNP to prop up their
failing budget. We know this year that parking revenue on street will be around
$20 million, off-street $9.3 million. Parking fines and infringements are
expected to hit around $28.2 million. So we're talking $60 million. That's a huge
amount of money in anyone's language.
We've also seen an allocation in this program of $600,000 for a parking audit.
Well they've gone quiet on that audit and I suspect it's more about finding and
the expansion of the parking revenue network where we'll see more and more
metered spaces rolled out across the city and $600,000 is an awful lot of money
to undertake a parking audit which I suspect is simply more about finding new
ways and new areas to raise revenue.
So, Madam Chair, we've got a whole range of concerns surrounding the delivery
of infrastructure, the delivery of certainly public transport when you talk about
the poor record of the LNP cutting public transport, breaking their promises
when it comes to delivering new buses for the city and their solution to
managing parking in the city is nothing more than raising revenue.
Which leads me to my final point today; under the LNP we know that
congestion is getting worse. We know that from our own research and our own
report, Madam Chair, we're seeing an increase in congestion right across the city
and we saw that a couple of weeks ago. Brisbane's traffic increasing—
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, your time has expired. Thank you.
Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I rise in strong support of Program 2
of the LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Budget. Just to put it into perspective, this
particular program, for the Chamber, in the budget summary document that's
provided to every Councillor, there is a set of info graphics there. It was derided
by Councillor ABRAHAMS in her tweets because apparently it's not good
enough that the cyclists don't have little people sitting on them—the bicycles
don't have little people sitting on them. But if she understood the point and the
dog doesn't have the leash—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 161 Councillor SIMMONDS:
—yes, yes, yes, Councillor ABRAHAMS, we know it. If you read it, if you read
it and understood it, what it's there to demonstrate to the Chamber is that of the
entire budget—51 per cent of the budget is spent on keeping Brisbane moving:
roads, bikeways, public transport. For every cent that a ratepayer puts into
their—pays on their rate bill, 51 cents of it goes to keeping Brisbane moving and
reducing traffic and congestion and doesn't that speak volumes of the priorities
of this Administration. We're very pleased and proud that under this
Administration, keeping Brisbane moving has got the priority that it deserves.
But despite that, the Councillors opposite are just desperate to find reasons to
oppose it and so desperate are they that they find it incredibly difficult, in fact
they don't hold a consistent position. It's impossible for every single one of their
speakers, every single one of their speakers, went back on a previous position
that they previously held. Not a single one of them was consistent.
Let's start with Councillor NEWTON. Let's start with Councillor NEWTON
who derided us because there's less capital spend in that program this year. Well
why is there less capital spend? Because we're not borrowing,
Madam Chairman. Isn't it Councillor NEWTON's—hasn't it always been
Councillor NEWTON's position that borrowing is bad and that we're borrowing
too much and we shouldn't be borrowing for infrastructure? So not only are they
against borrowing, first they're against borrowing, then they're against paying
down the borrowings and now Councillor NEWTON wants me to borrow more
so that I can put more capital into it, just to keep the numbers balanced or keep
the numbers in alignment for her on a year-on-year position.
Councillor GRIFFITHS, well he was claiming that his suburbs were left out.
Well where is his impassioned speech about the Kangaroo Point pedestrian
bridge? Where is his impassioned speech about how the only policy that their
side is committed to is an extra $120 million that doesn't currently exist in the
budget for the inner city? Well he's not standing up and saying that, is he? He's
looking very sheepish, he looks down at his iPad because, whoops, he doesn't
have the guts to nudge his neighbour, Councillor ABRAHAMS and say, hey I
thought we were meant to be prioritising the suburbs.
So I tell you what, if you're not willing to do that Councillor GRIFFITHS, stand
up and tell me now which $120 million worth of projects you're cutting out of
the suburbs to fund Councillor ABRAHAMS—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order! Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
It is a worthy project, but one side of this Chamber has to make the responsible
decision.
Madam
Chairman,
Councillor
ABRAHAMS,
Councillor ABRAHAMS again on her old hobby horse waxes lyrical and
pretends like we're not spending every single cent of infrastructure charges that
we get in on infrastructure and we—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
There she goes again. I'll take the interjection, she says we're not. We absolutely
are, we absolutely are and a lot, lot more. It equates to approximately 12 per
cent of what we are spending, right? Not only that, but the hypocrite that she
is—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SIMMONDS, Councillor SIMMONDS, I ask to withdraw.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
I withdraw that, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Thank you.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 162 Councillor SIMMONDS:
The hypocrisy that she's shown because a couple of weeks ago she stood up in
this place and was in favour of the University of Queensland master plan and the
State Government allowing them not to pay infrastructure charges, $40 million
of it over the life of the plan she was willing to deny the ratepayers of Brisbane.
She was saying, ‘let's reach into the ratepayers of Brisbane’s pocket for that
$40 million because the State Government's deemed that we don’t need to get it
from reasonable development. So hold a consistent position’.
What about Councillor FLESSER CityCycle, right? He voted for it. Don't rail
against the contract, you voted in support of the contract. They all did, every
single one of them. They all read it themselves, they had the documents—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—if they can't read a contract for themselves—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—and make an informed decision, maybe it's not in their job description. Maybe
reading things in this place is not in their job description, just like looking at
DAs or ringing in rubbish in their own wards, for example, doesn't appear to be
in their job description.
As for Councillor DICK, well he cannot even hold a position consistent with the
truth, because he stood up and said, well we're cutting employee costs in
Brisbane Transport, they're going down. I'm looking at Councillor MATIC and
I'm thinking, what, a record subsidy, this can't be right and I simply turn to page
100 to see that employee costs were going up for Brisbane Transport, going up
almost $5 million. Just the truth Councillor DICK, that's all we need out of you.
We're happy to have a reasonable debate, but just—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—but just if the employee costs are going up, don't stand up and say that they're
going down, Madam Chairman. The lengths they will go to oppose a very good
budget is evident. It's most evident in Councillor GRIFFITHS because we all
remember when he stood up, the Chamber of members, he stood up and he
railed against resurfacing; there's not enough resurfacing happening in my ward,
my suburbs don't get the resurfacing they deserve. So I thought, sugar, we spent
$100 million, $100 million in this budget.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Sugar, sugar, we spent $100 million in this budget, what does it take to satisfy
Councillor GRIFFITHS. I went back, I went back and I looked at his Council
submission for the budget and guess what? Councillor GRIFFITHS put forward
six suggestions for resurfacing and guess what? He got five of the six; five of
the six.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Listen to this; listen to this, Mortimer Road, Archerfield—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—tick, over $0.5 million.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 163 Councillor SIMMONDS:
Rosebank Square, Salisbury, tick, $187,000. Dunstan Street, Moorooka, tick,
$122,000. Fernvale Street, Tarragindi, over $1 million and Cracknell Road,
Tarragindi, $1.2 million for a grand total of $3.1 million in his ward alone on
resurfacing.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Right? Five out of six resurfacing projects that he suggested are fully funded in
this budget. So he's doing his own residents a disservice by standing up here and
pretending like there isn't the resurfacing funding for his ward. He'll be doing
them a greater disservice if he votes against the $3.1 million of resurfacing
money to go into his ward.
But, Madam Chairman, perhaps the hypocrisy's most stark on public transport
because here you see this Administration putting in a record $114 million worth
of subsidy. This is the total cost to public transport. Councillor NEWTON tried
to stand up and say, oh well there's more expense in moving in the transport
infrastructure than there is in public transport. She didn't take into account the
full cost of running Brisbane Transport because she forgets that we are the only
Council that puts in $114 million into public transport. We're the only ones that
even come close within a country mile of that. We are certainly the only Council
Madam Chairman that puts in significant capital upgrades. Why? Because it's
normally the State Government who funds public transport, right? But every day
ratepayers reach into their pockets and they subsidise the Brisbane public
transport network and over the course of the year to the tune of $114 million.
But it was Councillor NEWTON's quote and I quote, that she was talking about
the ‘net results of bus building program’, right? Well what is the net result of the
bus building program? Let's just look at it. One hundred per cent of the fleet is
now DDA accessible, 100 per cent of the fleet is now air conditioned. The fleet
is one of the youngest, if not the youngest in Australia which for a fleet of its—it
is the youngest in Australia, thank you Councillor MATIC—which for a fleet of
its size is incredible. Councillor NEWTON set the bar pretty low, but guess
what, Councillor NEWTON, unlike under your Chairmanship, they don't set
themselves on fire either.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
They don't set themselves on fire. Do you know what happens? Do you know
what happens? Do you know what happens when you have a Labor Chairman in
charge of public transport? They set themselves on fire because they ridicule
replacements. They stand over there and they ridicule replacing old buses and
the net result of that for the people of Brisbane is that they set themselves on
fire. That's what we had. That's what we had before this LNP Administration
embarked on a massive bus building program.
Madam Chairman, we are delivering 60 new buses this year because that is what
is needed to keep our fleet maintained to the high standards. If the State
Government, Madam Chairman, wants to do its part, as it should and fund
growth services, Madam Chairman, we'd be able to deliver more buses, right?
But the problem is—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
—but the problem is, Madam Chairman, that those—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, be quiet.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
The problem is that the Labor State Government aren't funding growth services.
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 164 Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SIMMONDS:
That's the fact of the matter. That's the fact of the matter, so we do the
responsible thing and we build the number of buses that we need to make sure
the fleet is the youngest in Australia and the most modern in Australia. But
there's a whole range of Council initiatives—
Chairman:
Councillor SIMMONDS, your time has expired.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair, I rise to enter the debate on this program and just to
respond to a couple of things that have been said and some of the projects that
have been listed in the Moving Brisbane portfolio.
Madam Chair, I remember when the LNP was elected into office in this place
and they were elected on a platform of getting Brisbane moving, the Can Do
team. I thought it was important to remind people of that because we are so, so
far away from that type of attitude in the—that we see in the LNP ranks. They
probably don't even remember what Can Do means, Madam Chair, because
certainly I—because they are struggling to finish just one project when it comes
to upgrading our suburban road corridors.
Keeping aside for the moment, but we should just remember that since they
have been elected, their own traffic data says that traffic congestion in Brisbane
is 3.5 per cent worse. Traffic congestion in Brisbane is worse under the
LNP Administration in this place. Your own data says that and they fly and they
fly around trying to find projects that make it look like they're doing something.
They make announcements about the ICB, they make announcements and
announcements and announcements about the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade
program. They make promise after promise after promise about the
Wynnum Road upgrade, Madam Chair, and they do nothing. Nothing!
They have been talking about upgrading Wynnum Road since 2008. They said,
in 2008, the Wynnum Road upgrade would be finished, finished, by 2012. That's
what you said. I didn't say it, Madam Chair, I didn't say it. I actually welcomed
it. I gave—pledged political support to it. But you know what? We're a long way
past 2012, Madam Chair, and not only has the project not even started, it's been
cut in half. We are now looking at Wynnum Road upgrade that is half the scope
of what they initially promised and it has taken more than double the time that
they first said that they would upgrade within it.
So as I said, Madam Chair, I go back to the start of my speech, they've forgotten
what Can Do means. It's not just about, it's not just about—there's more than one
Lord Voldemort in terms of LNP world over there and Campbell Newman's
only one of them; CityCycle's the other. So let's focus on CityCycle for a
moment. Councillor SIMMONDS said we all supported the contract; we had
access to the contract. Well, Madam Chair, we did not have access to the
contract. Let me make it very clear because as opposition leader, when that
contract was signed, I had to go to great lengths, great lengths, I think it actually
took a complaint to the Ombudsman and an Ombudsman order to get them to
give me the CityCycle contract.
When it showed up on my desk, Madam Chair, half of it was redacted. Then I
had to go back to them and actually ask for the commercial in confidence
information that they had blacked out in the original version that they gave me.
It was only after I had done the proverbial getting blood from a stone, almost 12
months after the contract came to Council, that I got a copy of that contract.
That is what the information that we had—that is how hard it was to get
information about the CityCycle contract, Madam Chair, because at the time
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 165 they were out there with their fabulous marketing pitch that it was going to give
us $9.5 million in revenue, it was going to fix traffic congestion.
Well, Madam Chair, it hasn't. It hasn't delivered on anything that they promised
the residents of Brisbane. In fact it has been a big fat $20 million flop and you
go out and ask anyone, anyone, any Brisbane resident that pays their hardearned cash to this Council through their rates or through the charges that they
pay, they will tell you CityCycle is nothing but a big fat $20 million flop
courtesy of this LNP Administration, Graham QUIRK and all the rest of the
minions sitting on the other side of the Chamber. CityCycle was always about
billboard and advertising revenue for this LNP Council; it was never about
bikes, it was never about active transport and it was never about busting traffic
congestion. That's why they got an advertising company to run the scheme and
not anything or anyone or any company that had anything to do with active
travel services anywhere in the world.
Moving along to this LNP's lack of commitment to public transport, absolute
lack of commitment to public transport; not a single extra bus on Brisbane roads
this year, not a single extra bus on Brisbane roads this year as a courtesy of this
LNP Administration and they think they should be thanked for it. They think
they should be thanked for it and in fact they don't like being reminded of the
fact that they are actually delivering 60 fewer buses this term than they
committed to going into the 2012 elections. So, Madam Chair, don't listen to
what they say, look at what they do; 60 less buses than what they committed to
at election time and you know who, Councillor SIMMONDS, cheeky little
monster that he is, tried to buy the State Labor Government.
Well what do you know, it was actually Campbell Newman that cut the
State Government contribution to those buses and they all know it, they all
know it. They all had—and you know what, what did LORD MAYOR
Graham Quirk do when Campbell Newman cut that funding? You know what he
did? You know what he did, that passionate advocate for Brisbane? He copped it
sweet. He absolutely lay down and took it and just said, Campbell I will do and
take whatever you dish out to me. He did not once stand up to
Campbell Newman and say, this is not on. Not once. He is not an advocate for
Brisbane when it comes to public transport. He does not believe it, he does not
believe in it and that is why he is not funding any real public transport
infrastructure and he is ripping money out of public transport services left, right
and centre at any opportunity he can, rather than investing in the services that
people need.
Finally, Madam Chair, I want to talk about the road resurfacing increase in
funding. Madam Chair, this money, this $100 million is nothing other than catch
up. We have got Brisbane roads out there that are no longer—and I've got one in
my ward—it's no longer a road, Madam Chair, it is just simply a collection of
potholes merged together, being held together. That is the state of some of the
Brisbane roads and people are sick of it. People are sick of it and you don't get
gold stars for doing the basic services that you should be, that you should be
delivering anyway.
For the last four years road resurfacing funding has hovered around that
$60 million mark, despite all of the additional need and pressure placed on our
network from our severe weather events. It has stayed reasonably consistent,
Madam Chair. This $100 million is catch up and catch up alone for funding that
should have been more consistently delivered. But what he has done, rather than
proper, adequate planning, he has put it all into a pre-election budget sweetener.
Well I've said it before and I'll say it again, Brisbane residents are smarter than
that. They can spot a phoney from a mile away and I'll tell you what, they spot
it—
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 166 Councillor SUTTON:
They spotted Campbell Newman and they've spotted Graham QUIRK too and
you will be smiling on the other side of your face, Councillor MURPHY, you'll
be smiling on the other side of your face, you just wait and see.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Madam Chair, this road—this Moving Brisbane 2 program leaves a lot to be
desired and that is why I just cannot believe that this Administration and the
Councillors within it will stand up so often and speak ad nauseam to it. Because
really, it lacks substance, it lacks any type of direction and it really once again
proves that this LNP Administration has lost its way when it comes to Moving
Brisbane.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor McKENZIE.
Councillor McKENZIE:
Thanks, Madam Chairman. Well, after we've whipped ourselves up into a frenzy
over a couple of issues that were raised by Councillor SUTTON. Just have a
look at some of the more sensible issues, the more reasoned way that we're
running this city. For example, I understand there was a recent survey that said
that Brisbane is one of the least congested cities in Australia. We are going
ahead in leaps and bounds in this city. You may use your own guides, but on a
basis of most of the cities in Australia, Brisbane is one of the least congested.
That's not due, in no small part, to this Administration.
Also Councillor SUTTON, your main obsession with Wynnum Road, which
we're all obsessed with of course, but your main obsession with Wynnum Road,
I have to remind you that there are other roads in this city apart from Wynnum
Road. We look at the whole of Brisbane, not just individual sections like that.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor McKENZIE:
Yes, well the south side, Councillor DICK, I was surprised at your criticism of
parking fees and parking revenue, I mean what's the alternative? Are we going
to have free parking? Are we going to have no parking restrictions in the city?
I'd love to hear something that will—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor McKENZIE:
—yes, a free for all, why not? But look let's get back to some of the issues that
this Administration is very positive in putting forward. Look, every individual in
this city has diverse needs of transport as stated by the DEPUTY MAYOR. Just
the other day I was at a mobile office and a gentleman came to me on his mobile
scooter, his contrivance, and he said, well he loves the bikeways because he can
actually get around on them. Now that's something that we have to consider. The
joint bikeways and pedestrian ways for people who are disabled, getting around,
being able to drive into the city on that is a wonderful freedom for this man.
All cities face challenges in transport these days and now that the TransApex is
complete with the construction of Legacy Way, this tunnel builds on previous
infrastructures of Clem7 and Go Between Bridge and the State Government's
Airport Link. All of these have been criticised by the ALP now and it
measurably reduced surface traffic. In the area of public transport, Brisbane City
is the only Council which maintains and operates its own public transport bus
fleet. This budget will deliver 60 new buses. Now that's nothing to scoff at.
Sixty new buses during this current four year term, 300 new air conditioned and
accessible rigid equivalent buses, making our fleet the most modern in Australia.
This Administration will continue to fund free CityHopper service and
Brisbane's first free inner city ferry service. It will continue to operate the Blue
CityGlider and the Maroon Glider, which has been very popular with my
constituents as it terminates adjacent to the Holland Park Ward. The 2011 floods
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 167 caused significant damage to Council's ferry fleet infrastructure and with
Federal and State financial assistance, Council was responsible for building
permanent, flood resilient terminals at the Regatta, Queensland University of
Technology Gardens Point, Sydney Street, University of Queensland, St Lucia,
Holman Street, Marine Museum and North Quay.
The building of a network of bikeways throughout Brisbane and in particular the
Holland Park Ward received some $344,000 around Greenslopes through the
Active Transport. It's proven to be a farsighted and practical strategic policy of
previous LNP Administrations and this Administration. This Administration has
spent $100 million on bikeways between 2008 and 2012 and will spend a further
$120 million between 2012 and 2016. These bikeways and shared pathways will
allow future generations of city dwellers safe access to practical, day-to-day
bike transport and important recreational activities.
Included in the strategic vision is the Active School Travel program, some
$600,000 being earmarked for this budget. All Councillors who participate in
this and there's 45 schools across Brisbane, will attest to the multiple benefits of
developing transport independence for young children, promoting a healthy
attitude and of exercising their bodies and reducing congestion around schools.
I'm very pleased with the activities in my ward with the Active School Travel
and I'm very much supportive.
The key asset among the city's walkways and bikeways is Riverwalk which has
been built with Federal Government funding. Council is rehabilitating this walk
and bikeways along the Brisbane River from Bretts Wharf at Hamilton to the
William Jolly Bridge which is a wonderful ride or a wonderful walk.
Some of the important activities of Council that can go unnoticed are the
important areas of catering for those less fortunate in terms of disabilities and
include people who have chronic injury or just difficulty moving and they're
older residents. Council's infrastructure bus network has nine bus exchanges,
approximately 6,700 actively serviced bus stops, seven bus and three ferry park
and ride facilities. To make it possible for commuters of all physical capacities
to use these facilities, Council is working towards upgrading these stops to make
them Disability Discrimination compatible at a cost of around $7 million in this
budget.
Areas that are more observable during the day-to-day activities are basic
maintenance areas, most important, road resurfacing has been mentioned;
$100 million. Curb and channel, $8 million. Bridges and culverts, $10 million.
Footpaths, $17 million. Line marking, signs and public lighting; safety is of
paramount importance to this Administration and that is why we are introducing
and continue to roll out and fund pedestrian countdown timers $271,000 and
portable flashing speed warning signs, $854,000, which nobody can deny are an
incredible safety asset in this city. Countdown timers are technology which give
pedestrians added information for safely crossing streets. We, however, are
powerless to control human behaviour, that is, stop pedestrians stepping off a
footpath when the red man lights flash. But now pedestrians can make a safer
decision as to whether or not to crash, determining on the amount of time before
the light stops flashing.
The portable speed warning signs as mentioned above are a great assistance to
most drivers who, by and large, are unintentionally speeding in our suburban
streets. With a reduction of speeding of about over nine kilometres per hour
across our streets, I believe it is the only measure short of threatening drivers
with fines that has quantitatively reduced speeding in our suburban streets.
Finally, I'd like to call attention to the Congestion Reduction Unit and the
DEPUTY LORD MAYOR's Parking Taskforce. The Congestion Reduction
Unit, with expenditure of $6 million in this budget, will continue to deliver well
planned and low cost changes to our streets, which bestow benefits well in
excess of the value of the money spent. Well thought out changes in my ward,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 168 such as a right turn into Sterculia Avenue from Logan Road and Holland Road
continue to provide safe and effective traffic movements, also Holland Road and
Cavendish Road. The DEPUTY MAYOR's Parking Taskforce recommendations
resulted from detailed consultation with industry groups such as the RACQ and
community groups such as parents and citizens. The taskforce's findings are a
positive move to address the increasing numbers of vehicles and the static areas
of road on which our vehicles have to move and eventually park.
Safety around schools, for example, Holland Park State School, Loreto College
and Marshall Road State School will benefit from the examination of the
taskforce. $3.5 million spent on this will be well spent and already returning
dividends, for example, in the Holland Park Ward through more visual and
policing of illegal parking in and around schools in pick up and drop off areas.
Madam Chairman, in conclusion, I strongly support the expenditure in Program
2 of this budget and look forward to working with Council officers to further
improve outcomes in this important part of our city's Administration.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on Program 2 and to thank the
LORD MAYOR and the DEPUTY MAYOR on keeping Brisbane moving and
surprisingly I may even speak about a few projects that are actually happening
on the south side because there are projects that are happening on the south side.
First of all I'd like to speak about 2.3.4.1 Managing the Network and it is very
important in so many parts of managing the network to look at large congestion,
small congestion spots that we can fix up very, very simply, but I have to say the
project that is of most interest for me, as the Lifestyle Chair, obviously, is the
Parking Taskforce
recommendations.
I
have
to
commend
the
DEPUTY MAYOR on his magnificent leadership of this taskforce and the
recommendations that we see that came from this taskforce and the independent
panel. They met regularly, they met for many hours and they reviewed many,
many incidences and examples and anecdotes right across the city to come up
with their recommendations. I look forward to working with the
DEPUTY MAYOR and the Transport Planning and Strategy through our
Compliance and Regulatory Services (CARS) in delivering a lot of these
recommendations in the coming months and years.
The one I would particularly like to say that is close to my heart as a local
Councillor, though, is the school safety improvements. I think all of us are quite
aware of the issues that we have around our schools, particularly pick up times
in the afternoon and the Parking Taskforce recommendations really do address
not only school safety improvements and active travel, but they're also about
putting back some responsibility onto the schools to make sure that they are
accepting the management plans around their schools so that we can work with
them.
The compliance officers are always on the friendly, firm and fair when it comes
to around schools. We do realise too, though, that some parents forget about
being friendly, firm and fair themselves when it comes to parking around
schools. So the idea to actually develop and implement their own traffic and
parking management plans, in consultation obviously with traffic and planning
support with the local Councillors, with their P&Cs so they can take ownership
of the management plans around their schools is going to be an increased bonus
for local Councillors to manage their local schools and the traffic management
issues around the schools as well.
Another one from the Parking Taskforce recommendations which we will see
rolled out through the compliance officers is at the request of schools, trialling
driver behaviour monitoring around the school. So many of you will already
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 169 have seen our highly visible vehicles, I like to call them our Willy Wonka cars,
very bright blue and yellow, you cannot miss them. They're out there, our
officers are uniformed, they're suburban safety and parking control officers and
they are, in the instances around the school, really focusing on suburban safety.
They are committed to reducing the risk of injuries to students and their family
and they will do this by educating and talking to parents around the school
zones, but if needed, they will be enforcing that safe and legal behaviour around
the cars as well.
So I think the recommendation around school safety for improvements and
traffic management plans is one of the many, many great outcomes we're going
to see from the Parking Taskforce and we can see in this budget the
LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK has actually made a commitment to rolling
out these recommendations in the next 12 months as well.
Still going with the projects with managing the network, I have to say as a local
Councillor, thank you very, very much for the extra money funding towards the
portable flashing signs. Again, I think every Councillor in this place, whether
you're on the north side, south side, east or west, will gladly accept the funding
for them to make the independent decision on whether they get another sign or
whether they move the sign they have more frequently, but they can manage the
signs themselves to what their residents need. I know my residents are always
asking for the sign to come back to their street. I think the opportunity to have
more signs is very, very exciting and I think my residents will appreciate that.
More than anything, it is a lot easier than Local Area Traffic Management for
people to realise that they do need to slow down in our local streets.
Guess what, Madam Chair? Every Councillor is getting that allocation of
money, not just those on the north side. People on the south side are getting the
portable flashing signs allocation as well.
When it comes to the smoother suburban streets, we have seen a 66 per cent
increase on the resurfacing of roads. I hear Councillor SUTTON saying it’s just
catch up, it’s just catch up. This money is not the money that's being used to fix
all of those streets four or five years ago that were inundated by floods. I can
assure you right now I've been sitting very patiently in the Wishart Ward, totally
accepting the fact that there were suburbs in the Tennyson Ward and suburbs in
the Walter Taylor Ward and suburbs in the Morningside Ward that used millions
of dollars for flood repair and we understand that, Madam Chair. We understand
that. So the absolute ridiculousness of the outrage we see here, because I didn't
get as much as they got and they didn't get this on the north side and we got it on
the south side—it is just ridiculous. It is absolutely—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor ADAMS:
It's pathetic, thank you, Councillor KNAPP, I'll take your interjection. This
66 per cent increase will see smoother, safer suburban streets and yes, I did get
many streets in my ward and thank you very much, DEPUTY MAYOR, because
even though Wishart is a reasonably new suburb, Mt Gravatt—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor ADAMS:
—it's on the south side, I know, shame. Mt Gravatt East and Mansfield are not
reasonably new suburbs and they do have streets that are desperately in need for
resurfacing and I thank you for recognising that across the priorities across the
city, not the priorities on the north side versus the south side, the priorities
across the city where these lists have come together from our recommendations
and from officers' recommendations on the streets that need it most. Not on the
ones that can spit the dummy the furthest, Madam Chair, that is not how I
believe DEPUTY MAYOR sits down and goes through the list with Council
officers. We come up with a priority list and I would like to recognise and thank
the DEPUTY MAYOR for the work that will be done particularly in the
Mt Gravatt East and Mansfield suburbs over the next 12 months.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 170 We also see local access network improvements, again something in my ward
which I greatly appreciate having the Brisbane urban corridor travelling through
my ward. Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road is an increasingly busy road and it's the
connector of our streets onto that road that we really do need to look at and I
thank the DEPUTY MAYOR for the support on that with Broadwater Road
connections with Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road, Newnham Road at
Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road and just further down onto another State intersection,
Newnham and Logan Road. All hotspots, very big hotspots when it comes to
peak hour, Broadwater when it comes to school hours as well and to be able to
do tweaks around these intersections to make my residents and those travelling
the ward to the coast, for example, to the Gateway Motorway, most people will
need to go through these intersections from the south side. They'll make great
improvements to the traffic flow through those local suburbs in the south side of
Brisbane, Madam Chair.
Last but not least, I would just also like to, I suppose thank the State
Government for recognising that even schools on major roads need flashing
signs to indicate school zones as well because I've been a strong advocate for
even if schools are on main roads, that our residents need to realise they need to
slow down around school hours as well. So it's fantastic to see that schools that
are along Logan Road, Klumpp Road and Newnham Road will see the upgrades
for the school zone signs coming up in the next 12 months. They are very busy
schools, they have all worked well in the Active School Travel and they have
been petitioning me for this for many years as well and they're very excited.
One of the interesting comments was that maybe Logan Road didn't need it
because it is difficult to do more than 40 anyway in the afternoon at school pick
up time, but I think the realisation on Logan Road is that there is many, many
students, three schools within a kilometre of each other, there needs to be
awareness of those without children, without kids at school, that it is school pick
up time and it's a major road connector and it's fantastic to see this being
delivered in the local ward. I commend LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK and
the DEPUTY MAYOR to Program 2.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak in support of Program 2 and this is
a very important program within this budget. It is a significant aspect of what we
do across our city and particularly it does encompass all aspects of generations
across our city. We do the education programs through our schools, with our
Active School Travel. We also, as part of that Active School Travel, teach the
young people in our schools how to appropriately use our public transport
system and this, in itself, is a very valuable part of the Active School Travel
program.
Madam Chairman, I know I've spoken in this place many, many times about the
fact that I believe I have the best bus depot in the whole city in my ward, being
the Willawong Bus Depot and I refer to outcome 2.2 Public Transport,
Madam Chairman, about providing high quality public transport services. That
is what our drivers at our depots do. They are the face of Council in our buses
and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the work that
they do getting people across our city in a very safe and responsible manner.
Madam Chairman, I would like to refer to service 2.3.2.1 Building the Transport
Network. Madam Chairman, I am extremely pleased to see that on page 59 of
the budget document that we have the Stapylton Road and Johnson Road
intersection upgrade in the forwards, detailed in this budget document. That is
very important because after the 2011 floods there were certain decisions that
needed to be made across this city to ensure that certain areas were supported at
that time and this was one of the projects that, also due to Logan City Council
not coming up with the dollars at the time as well, a decision was made that we
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 171 would look at it at a later date because there were major priorities that needed to
be addressed straight away in other wards.
So it's great to see that this project is back in the budget document and certainly
I have got a meeting set up with representatives from Logan City Council to
start the discussions again to make sure that they come up with the dollars to
meet us on this joint project, given that it is on our city boundaries.
I would also like to refer to major traffic improvements in the intersections,
because Algester Road is listed there, Madam Chairman, and there certainly is a
very dangerous bend on Algester Road where there has been a fatality in the
past. If people are going around that bend too quickly, it is very dangerous.
There will be a new sign going up to warn people of that bend which is a great
project and certainly it will enhance the safety.
Madam Chairman, I refer now to service 2.3.2.2 and in particular the bridge and
culvert constructions and listed in this appendix as well is the boardwalk in
Billabong Place and there's $649,000 there. Madam Chairman, I spoke earlier in
Program 1 about the erosion controls that have been funded in Program 1 in
Billabong Place and this all comes together because what has been happening is
where the creek goes through Billabong Place, it has actually eroded under the
boardwalk and these two programs complement each other nicely and we will
see a major reconstruction of that boardwalk and that will improve accessibility
for residents in that local area.
I also note in that same appendix there is the King Avenue bridge bearings and
that is very important because that is a major contributor to the east west
corridor and it is a very vital piece of infrastructure. So I appreciate that that is
getting addressed as well.
Madam Chairman, in relation to the enhanced school zone signage, this is a
fantastic project that we are really embarking on in a very positive way. School
zone signage is something that I have championed for many, many years and
particularly in my area, the schools have been very receptive to improvements
that Council has made. I know that the St John's College junior and senior
campus and Forest Lake High School will be very appreciative of the new
signage that will be going up outside their schools.
Madam Chairman, also in this service area is the Paradise Road upgrade and this
realignment is also very important as well because there has been one child
fatality and one very near death experience for a child as well as a result of
motor vehicle accidents on the bend in Paradise Road. I know that the officers
have been doing extensive work behind the scenes to get this to this stage and I
do thank them for all of their efforts.
In respect of safe school travel, I do note that there is funding that has come
through for the Algester State School access improvements to the drop off zone.
This will allow people in wheelchairs and mothers with prams to actually go
down a ramp instead of having to try to navigate stairs around the drop off zone
which is a great outcome for the local community.
Madam Chairman, work is underway, it has commenced on the Stapylton Road
Widening project that is detailed also in this service area and can I say that the
residents are seeing very prompt action as a result of what is going on out there.
I was out there a few days ago inspecting it and they are not wasting any time;
they are really getting on with the job and I expect that this project will be
completed very quickly because they are working considerably hard.
Now referring to service 2.3.3.1, Madam Chairman, the Roads Network
Resurfacing, this is an extremely welcome component of the budget, particularly
in my ward. Anyone who knows my ward knows that we have many of the top
10 bus routes operating throughout the Algester/Parkinson area, particularly for
a lot of those residents who come into the CBD. Most of those buses will either
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 172 travel on Nottingham Road, Algester Road or Ridgewood Road and so within
this schedule, there is about $2 million of funding for resurfacing that major
road corridor which is greatly appreciated.
Madam Chairman, I would just like to finish with the portable flashing speed
warning signs. These signs have been extremely well received in my local
community and knowing the number of requests that I get for them and the
consistency of those requests to be in certain locations, I can advise the
Chamber that I think I was the first Councillor to put in my order for some new
signs and also I've coordinated with the officers already about the turnover of
those signs as well. So to the DEPUTY MAYOR and also to the
LORD MAYOR for this new funding, this is a great initiative and it will
certainly enhance the safety of our local communities, so on behalf of the
residents of Parkinson Ward, thank you for the investment in our local
community to make it safer. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Further debate?
DEPUTY MAYOR, would you care to sum up?
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you to all Councillors who
participated in the debate on Moving Brisbane. I did want to address a few
things briefly. There has been extensive debate about a range of things in this
portfolio and I won’t cover all of those things and go over ground that has
already been covered, but I do want to raise a couple of points and particularly
some of the strange comments that have been made by opposition Councillors.
Councillor MURPHY said it and he referred to Councillor GRIFFITHS'
comments about parking meters being a tax. Well parking meters were
introduced in this city I think back in the 1950s, back in the 1950s, so they're
nothing new in the City of Brisbane and I'm not sure who was in office back in
the 1950s, but it certainly wasn't the Liberal Party or the National Liberal Party
in Queensland didn't exist back then and we certainly weren't running for
Council elections. It was probably a Labor Administration that first introduced
parking meters in Brisbane.
But what I will say is that if parking meters are a tax and they're all about
revenue raising, then we're not particularly good at it in Brisbane, because the
price of CBD on-street parking is $4.40 today per hour. Twelve years ago under
Labor it was $4, so over that time we've seen an increase of 40 cents in 12 years.
The GST has come in since then, there's been inflation. If you took just
inflationary increases on Labor's parking charges from 12 years ago, it would be
about $5.40 today and that's just with inflationary charges alone. But we know
that Labor didn't ever stick to inflation when it came to parking, they like to
increase parking fees and charges well above inflation. So Brisbane has parking
that has not increased above inflation compared with Labor's price of $4 twelve
years ago.
But more importantly, Labor won’t talk about their secret plan for a parking tax
or a parking levy. They refuse to acknowledge it. It was in their 2002 transport
plan for Brisbane shortly before they were punted. That plan involves the
imposition of a tax on every single CBD parking space. That's both Council
spaces and private spaces, so if you think the parking in private parking stations
is expensive now, can you imagine what it would be under Labor?
Now this is not something that is unusual for—
Councillors interjecting.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—this is not something that is unusual for Labor governments to do, because it
has been done in other cities in Australia and I will point out that it was done in
Melbourne. Back in 2006 a parking tax or a parking levy of $400 per space in
the CBD was imposed. Do you think its $400 now? It has risen from $400 to
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 173 $1340. So the Victorian State Government is addicted to this revenue from the
parking tax and it continues to go up and up and up and up. So when Labor talks
about parking meter revenue somehow being a tax, no, taxes are in their DNA,
we know they want to introduce a parking levy and we know that if they ever
get onto this side of the Chamber, that will be coming and it will go up and up
and up and up, just as it's done in other areas in other cities.
Councillor DICK talked about parking revenue and he mentioned that the
revenue from parking meters and parking stations and also parking fines will be
$60 million. Well it's not, it's less than that. It's estimated to be about
$57 million, which is actually less than it was estimated to be last financial year
and I would point out that this budget sees the second consecutive year where
we haven't increased parking charges. The only thing we've done is reduced
parking charges because we've introduced the 15 minute free parking at more
than 7,500 meters across the city and in the King George Square and
Wickham Terrace car parks and off peak we've introduced $5 parking in those
inner city parking stations as well. So we've reduced parking fees; Labor's
record is the opposite, which is to increase parking fees.
This speculation about the CBD kerbside audit and about whether it may roll out
extra meters, I addressed this in the information session and I've said it publicly
and to the media, this will likely result in fewer metered spaces in the CBD and
it will result in more than likely more loading zones and drop off areas, more
clearways, more taxi ranks, more disability parking and opportunity for access
and probably more extended footpaths like we will see in Edward Street going
forward. So far from increasing the number of metered spaces in the CBD, it
will probably reduce metered spaces. So I will be happy to come back when the
results of that audit are ready, to prove that fact to Councillor DICK, if he's still
here, that is.
Councillor SUTTON mentioned that traffic congestion is getting worse and
according to our own figures, apparently, it's 3.5% worse. This illustrates that
Councillor SUTTON and her colleagues don't actually understand the reports
that are produced on traffic congestion. Traffic volumes are 3.5% higher, but
traffic congestion isn't 3.5% higher. We measure volumes and the increase in
volumes and then we measure travel times and we had a 3.5% increase in
volume year-on-year but we only had a six second increase in travel times and
that was in the AM peak. In the PM peak, it was only a three second increase in
travel times. So despite a significant number of extra vehicles on the road, we're
talking about a matter of seconds here. So Councillor SUTTON and her
colleagues would make you believe that you're sitting in the car for an extra half
an hour because of what the LNP may or may not have done. We're talking
about seconds, despite continued and sustained growth in volume on the
Brisbane road network.
She likes to talk about Wynnum Road and how we're not getting on with it, but
Councillor SUTTON has performed a very acrobatic manoeuvre in recent times
about the Wynnum Road upgrade. I remember time and time again she came in
this place saying, I fully support this project, I just want it to happen, fully
support it, let's get on with it, I'll back you up 100 per cent. But then suddenly,
in recent times, she's said, oh should be bus lanes—
Councillor interjecting.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—bus lanes and this is a bit of a new thing here.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
So I'm not exactly clear on what it is that Councillor SUTTON wants, because
unless she wants us to build six lanes plus bus lanes, six lanes plus bus lanes,
eight lanes of traffic, additional property resumptions, additional cost, then we
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 174 can only assume that it's four lanes plus bus lanes, which is basically what it is
right now. There's four lanes of general traffic on the road right now, so she's
basically saying we should spend $120 million to provide a few hundred metres
of bus lanes and she's saying that we should provide bus lanes that don't connect
into any other bus lanes, so you'll essentially have a situation where there's four
lanes, suddenly 700 metres of bus lanes and then back into general traffic again.
It just doesn't make sense to me and she can harp all she wants about this
project, but her own position has been inconsistent and is constantly changing
with this latest acrobatic backflip that she's done. I can only assume that she now
doesn't support six lanes of general traffic; she supports four lanes of general
traffic and two bus lanes, one on each side.
So someone else mentioned, I think it was Councillor SIMMONDS, mentioned
very clearly that Labor Councillors' position on a whole range of issues just
continues to chop and change. One minute they're for something, next minute
they're against it—
Chairman:
DEPUTY MAYOR, your time has expired.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—yes.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Moving Brisbane program and it
was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillor Ryan MURPHY, and Councillor Kim MARX immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 23 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES,
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS and
Victoria NEWTON.
ABSTENTIONS: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
ADJOURNMENT:
691/2014-15
At that time, 5pm, it was resolved that the meeting adjourn until 9am on Thursday 26 June 2014.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 175 UPON RESUMPTION:
FOURTH DAY – Thursday, 25 June 2015
PRESENT:
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) – LNP
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT (Pullenvale Ward) – LNP
LNP Councillors (and Wards)
Krista ADAMS (Wishart)
Matthew BOURKE (Jamboree)
Amanda COOPER (Bracken Ridge)
Vicki HOWARD (Central)
Steven HUANG (Macgregor)
Fiona KING (Marchant)
Geraldine KNAPP (The Gap)
Kim MARX (Karawatha)
Peter MATIC (Toowong)
Ian McKENZIE (Holland Park)
David McLACHLAN (Hamilton)
Ryan MURPHY (Doboy)
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR (Parkinson) (Deputy
Chairman of Council)
Adrian SCHRINNER (Chandler) (Deputy Mayor)
Julian SIMMONDS (Walter Taylor)
Norm WYNDHAM (McDowall)
Andrew WINES (Enoggera)
ALP Councillors (and Wards)
Milton DICK (Richlands) (The Leader of the
Opposition)
Helen ABRAHAMS (The Gabba) (Deputy Leader of
the Opposition)
Peter CUMMING (Wynnum Manly)
Kim FLESSER (Northgate)
Steve GRIFFITHS (Moorooka)
Victoria NEWTON (Deagon)
Shayne SUTTON (Morningside)
Independent Councillor (and Ward)
Nicole JOHNSTON (Tennyson)
The Chairman of Council, Councillor Margaret de WIT, declared the adjourned meeting open and called for
apologies.
RESUMPTION OF DEBATE ON THE 2015-2016 BUDGET:
The Chairman, Councillor Margaret de WIT, declared the adjourned meeting open and continued as follows.
3. FUTURE BRISBANE PROGRAM:
692/2014-15
Councillor Amanda COOPER, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment
Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor Vicki HOWARD, that that for the services of the Council, the
allocations for the Operations and the Projects for the year 2015-16 and the Rolling Recurrent Operations
Contracts and the Rolling Projects for the Future Brisbane program as contained on pages 68 to 78, so far as
they relate to Program 3, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. On opening debate for this program, I
would first of all of course like to thank the LORD MAYOR and
Councillor SIMMONDS for their strong support for Program 3. Since we sat
here last year and discussed the 2014-15 Budget, there have been significant
achievements in this area. We, of course, have been focusing on implementing
our requirements under the State Government's SEQ Regional Plan to
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 176 accommodate 156,000 new homes by introducing new City Plan and continuing
our award-winning Neighbourhood Planning program.
We are continuing with more Talk to a Planner sessions, these sessions which
are very beneficial for residents to talk one-on-one with Council officers to find
out more about how City Plan works and how it helps to manage our city's
future growth. We also have been implementing our requirements under the
State Government's legislation changes for Council to convert our existing
Priority Infrastructure Plan into a different new form, the Local Government
Infrastructure Plan.
However, of course, this year we are delighted to see Program 3 including new
projects, such as the Edward Street revitalisation project which will see an
upgrade of Edward Street to include new improved pavement, increased
pedestrian space, increased planting, street furniture and creative lighting. This
precinct has become a very busy retail precinct working in conjunction with
Queen Street Mall, and of course has been a significant tourism drawcard to our
city.
This upgrade will ensure the infrastructure in the area supports the precinct's
role and promotes pedestrian access throughout that important city streetscape.
We will also introduce the Suburban Construction Management Taskforce. This
taskforce is based on the success of the Erosion and Sediment Control
Compliance project which has significantly decreased the amount of soil and
sediment issues with development from approximately 1,200 to 80 complaints
per year over the past four years.
Through providing proactive engagement with the development industry, it will
particularly expand on the functions of the Built Environment team. This team
will aim at mitigating and significantly reducing the number of built
environment complaints. This will run as a pilot project with three full-time
employees dedicated to working closely with the industry and the community to
provide proactive advice and early intervention to reduce and mitigate any
problems for our local residents.
Another new project for this financial year is public artwork on key
infrastructure. In the 2014-15 financial year, we delivered two projects that
incorporated artwork onto existing public infrastructure around Brisbane. In
February of this year, we installed nine light boxes in the King George Square
car park along the pedestrian access route. This pedestrian path really showcases
a gallery of Queensland College of Art students' artwork.
Recently we also saw the Coronation Drive viaducts painted by Brisbane artist
Matt Stewart. These viaducts were reimagined as canvases for Cirque du Soleil
inspired artwork. This project will see other pieces of public infrastructure
across our city transformed. So it expands on our Vibrant Laneways
commitment to enhance and activate unused spaces across our city.
The Central Business District (CBD) New World City lighting project will
ensure we see key icons of our city creatively lit. Tourists and locals all enjoyed
the Colour Me Brisbane program that was conducted for G20, with 28,000
people estimated to attend the G20 celebrations from 24 October to
16 November 2014. Colour Me Brisbane saw the city showcased in lights with
colourful feature lighting. Lighting can deliver great outcomes to improve our
city, such as showcasing an icon as we have with Storey Bridge and, of course,
the William Jolly Bridge, celebrating an event such as the recent success of the
Firebirds, activating spaces and increasing the safety for pedestrians in our city.
The planning for our suburbs will begin work on three new neighbourhood
plans: Newstead North, The Gap and one in the Coorparoo Holland Park area. A
neighbourhood plan within the Coorparoo/Holland Park area will see Council
working with the local community to get involved in the planning for their local
area. As part of the neighbourhood plan, Council will review the zoning within
that area and look at necessary infrastructure to accommodate growth, both
infrastructure existing and future.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 177 The Gap Neighbourhood Plan will commence in this financial year. This
neighbourhood plan will review zoning and community facilities and,
particularly, green space within that local area. It will also address economic,
social and environmental requirements of the area.
Finally, an urban renewal neighbourhood plan for Newstead North. This plan is
in part response to submissions to new City Plan seeking further planning work
to be done, and particularly the high level of development interest in that area.
The area has historically been the home to industrial land. However, over the
years, we have seen some new renewal occurring. Of course, it is becoming a
key urban precinct in our city. So this neighbourhood plan could support the
implementation of the Rivers Edge strategy to activate a key gateway into our
city.
We continue with progressing eight neighbourhood plans. To just have a
snapshot since 2010, there have been 26 neighbourhood plans completed. Of
course, they are a great opportunity to ensure that there are locally specific
planning outcomes delivered in conjunction with our community.
Along with these new projects, we are continuing with our Suburban Centre
Improvement Project (SCIP) rolling program. Council has completed, of course,
44 SCIPs and we have two soon to open in Kenmore and Cannon Hill. I know
that you, Madam Chair, are looking forward to seeing Kenmore delivered.
Alderley and Graceville were announced last year focussing on the consultation,
so we have had all of the preparation work under way, consultation with the
property owners group and a community reference group established.
Construction on these SCIPs will commence in July for Alderley and October
for Graceville.
We will also continue our public artworks program which will deliver new
stand-alone public art across Brisbane. This program also includes money for
artwork maintenance, funds allowing, of course, for rectification, retirement and
maintenance of the $28 million worth of public art that we have across the city.
In August 2014 we reviewed the state of all of the approximately 500 art pieces
to ensure property asset management of this important cultural asset.
There is also money allocated to expand on the Artforce initiative to include the
painting of Energex pad-mounted transformers. We also will continue to protect
and support our heritage with further funding for the Heritage Incentive Scheme
and commitment for two new heritage trails. This Heritage Incentive Scheme
has seen over $3 million worth of rectification works undertaken on heritage
places across the city since it was introduced in 2005 by the then Lord Mayor,
Campbell Newman.
We will also continue with our Infrastructure Charges Subsidy for hotel
developments, student accommodation and eligible organisations. I urge all
Councillors to take this opportunity to promote this initiative. It is particularly
valuable to our not-for-profit community sector, and of course in conjunction
with the Inclusive Brisbane Board, which has established the
Professional Advice Alliance, this ensures our not-for-profit organisations can
remain open and sustainable for many years to come. We also have the
Rochedale project continuing this year with resumptions for infrastructure works
assessed on a year-by-year basis. The project is still on track to deliver 6,500
new dwellings by 2021.
This program is a strong program for this financial year. I would particularly
like to thank all of the officers who put so much hard work and effort into this
program area. It is very much a labour of love, and I think it is a great outcome
for our city, and I thank everyone for their hard work and effort in preparing
Program 3. Thank you very much.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I wish to highlight some of the issues on Program 3,
Future Brisbane. The first one is just to look at the revenue that we see in this
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 178 budget document. There was an increased revenue in the 2014-15 of 7.6 per cent
between what was proposed and what was anticipated. The document shows that
there was a 45 per cent increase in that same figure of what was proposed and
what was anticipated. This is a significant increase.
What has the community seen for that increased revenue? Well, the Councillors
over this side of the Chamber are very aware that we are seeing residents who
are far from happy, who are across the city speaking out, coming into the
Council Chamber. We know that almost 70 per cent of the people who come in,
take the time, apply, wish to speak to Councillors, are doing so because of their
concern of a development application or a strategic planning process.
This is just new. It is a completely skewed representation of the issues that are
raised in these speeches which reflects the concern of the community. What are
people seeing? Well, they are seeing cranes; they are seeing noise; they are
being woken up. There is dust; there are cars everywhere around the
construction sites. They are treated with total disrespect if they live next to a
construction site. But they are not seeing new parkland, they are not seeing
improvement in the roads, and they are not seeing any community facilities.
Even the often promised boulevards I would recommend they are not seeing.
So no wonder they are concerned about buildings being taller, buildings being
closer to their property boundaries, and buildings with more people than was
ever intended in the City Plan which is the norm.
They are also, I would suggest, concerned about the quality of the design. We
have, and we always hear about the New World City. The New World City as
this city does need to grow. It is moving into apartment buildings, but we are a
subtropical city in one of the most stable political environments, stable planning
environments, so we have a unique opportunity to actually develop our own
sense of architecture. What are we then doing? We are just importing from
Dubai. If we're not doing that, it is literally a glass and concrete wall. This is
totally inappropriate and is another reason for even the architects and those who
are interested in design being concerned.
I started off with the increased revenue; $23 million additional revenue from the
third budget review. How is that extra money being spent, being spent timely, so
it is judicious expenditure? Well, Madam Chair, I would suggest there is a little
bit of where we're trying to put a little magic fairy dust over the city to try and
get rid of all the opposition. That fairy dust is the new world lighting, the
$250,000 to light up our city and the CBD only so that we can pretend we're at
G20 all the time around. Madam Chair, nothing for the suburbs from that. I
would suggest nothing from where much of the development is happening in the
inner-city frame.
The other part of the fairy dust is the painting of our infrastructure. Both the
projects you cannot object to, but surely we deserve more out of the
infrastructure, that $23 million additional revenue. Then, looking at some of the
other capital expenditure, the $11 million capital spend for Edward Street. I
would just like to highlight some of what that will entail. It is going to have a
traffic study; it is going to involve talking to the traders, and I am delighted to
hear that. Footpath widening; an increase of the pavement width, but more space
for pedestrian spaces making it easier for them to move around; tree planting;
footpath lighting; the creative lighting of the trees; street furniture and public art.
Within that, too, I am sure there will be some outdoor dining. So if you actually
go to the definition of a road diet, taken from Wikipedia, it is widening a
footpath, adding cycle lanes, boulevarding, public art, widening the lanes for
safety, and increasing bicycle lanes. This is a road diet in no other term. It is a
road diet costing $11 million for a very exclusive part of our CBD, and there is
no indication that any of those property owners are paying a benefitted area levy
for that work. So what do all the other SCIP contributors think when they have
been asked for a 10 per cent contribution, and in the past it has been a 15 per
cent contribution, and in these ones they are now making no contribution
whatsoever.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 179 So, hypocrisy in terms of their continued complaint or ridicule of my support for
appropriate places to reduce the road space where we want to make it a non-car
dominated area. I support it in principle, but as always, that side of the
Administration can never implement properly. Why would you do it just to such
an exclusive area without them making some contribution to the effort? Possibly
because they are not contributing, it is why there is no new SCIP in this budget.
We are rolling over, recycling, the Alderley and Graceville SCIP. Why would
you put your hand up for a SCIP if you actually knew about Edward Street?
The Vibrant Laneways, now with the contribution of $1.8 million this year
following on the $2.6 million last year, has a total of $18.4 million allocated for
this project since it was created. Last night I had a look at Burnett Lane. This
morning I had a look at Burnett Lane. There are six grey lights up on the top
where once that was really lovely artwork. I couldn’t suggest that it is at the
moment. There were more than 10 cars, including yet again the police and the
service vehicles in that area. There has been no change. It is a complete waste of
money.
But Councillor COOPER actually understands that, because the
Vibrant Laneways are changing now, to the pop-up of Albert Street, where we
are going to permit—and the words are wonderful—we are going to permit in a
light, quick and cheap way, for $200,000, the process of closing that road,
popping up small outlets, many of them may be food in that area, drawing away
from the existing retailers paying the huge overheads in the CBD for a pop-up to
make a bit of glitz in our city.
I have concerns with this project, but at least Councillor COOPER is
acknowledging the Vibrant Laneways as we know it are not working and trying
to find another initiative for that process. When we were listening to the
questions, the one thing that Councillor COOPER was so proud about was the
student accommodation incentive. I have had a look at this, and there certainly is
an incentive for our city to have the benefit from it.
But would she answer one question about how much has been allocated in the
budget for foregoing on infrastructure charges from this? Not one question. We
were told it did not apply to this program. I have got 2,000 and more student
accommodations in the pipeline. I think the residents of Brisbane do need to
know just how much—need to know, deserve to know—just how much we are
going to subsidise that accommodation.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS, your time has expired, thank you.
Further debate?
Councillor HOWARD.
Councillor HOWARD:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I am delighted to rise to speak to the important
work that is achieved through Program 3, Future Brisbane. The outstanding
achievements of this Administration, led by Councillor COOPER, is something
that we are all very proud of, because we know these achievements will enhance
our lifestyle and our economy.
I am going to focus my comments on the outcome of 3.2 and 3.3 regarding our
heritage, our city centre upgrades, and the construction taskforce. I was very
pleased to read in the budget documents that service 3.3.1.1 about the new
suburban construction management team as part of how we provide efficient and
effective development assessment and regulation.
Sometimes it seems like we live in an overly regulated era. Everywhere you
look you see warning signs or caution labels; news and current affairs programs
carry stories about rules that will affect how we eat, drive, work or play.
However, when it comes to building code compliance, the price we pay is tiny
compared to the gains society has made over the last several decades. Today's
homes and businesses are far safer and better built than those constructed only a
few years ago. In no small part, this is due to our planning and building
compliance activities, including as service 3.3.1.1 says, investigating unlawful
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 180 uses of land, ensuring the conditions of DAs are met, and responding to
complaints about development.
I am pleased to hear that there will be a new taskforce that will employ three
dedicated officers in Compliance and Regulatory Services (CaRS) branch to
work with their Development Assessment counterparts to identify risks
associated with developments and engage with developers to mitigate these
risks. Further, the team will work in a reactive capacity to respond to complaints
from the community associated with these developments prior to the
commencement of use. I am sure that 99 per cent of builders and developers are
complying with all the rules, and I thank them for that. Sadly, it is probably the
1 per cent that cause problems with their neighbours and the community. So my
message to them is: don't try to dodge the building codes; let us help you to
comply with them.
New structures and their construction are important, but so too is the
preservation of the past. As I have said in this place before, there is a common
root in the terms conservative and conservation: both involve keeping the best of
what we have, and no less than the imperative to live within our means. The
imperative to conserve what is best in our heritage is part of this
Administration's DNA. That is why I want to touch briefly on the importance of
strategy 3.3.2 on page 84 regarding the promotion and protection of our city
character.
Brisbane City Council is committed to preserving our unique cultural heritage.
Indeed, as it says on page 75, as an Administration, we want our city to be a city
that supports the retention of character houses and the conservation of heritage
places. Heritage conservation will continue to be encouraged by a simplified
development assessment process and through heritage grants and the availability
of technical assistance from Council, including architectural advice. Those
grants and advice from Council come through the Heritage Incentive Scheme
that was established in 2005, and the purpose of the scheme is to foster an
appreciation of Brisbane's heritage. It offers professional advice and financial
assistance in the form of grants to owners of heritage-listed properties, and our
professional officers work together with owners to conserve our city's rich
cultural and architectural heritage.
Importantly for me are the two aspects of the scheme: expert consultation and
specific grants. I am delighted that recently we have been able to assist
properties like Green Gables and Alston Court in New Farm, and the Ann Street
Presbyterian Church in the city, all three in Central Ward with funds for specific
projects.
There are many buildings in Central Ward on the register, and hence potentially
available for assistance through the scheme, and it is very encouraging to see in
the forward budget that this Administration's commitment will rise from
$371,000 this year to $389,000 in 2016-17, and over $400,000 in 2018-19.
Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, and now, because of the
Administration's allocations in service 3.3.2.1 more people will be able to
appreciate the beauty of our older buildings in Spring Hill through the new
Heritage Trail.
The story behind one of the city's oldest suburbs is being revealed to the public,
thanks to Councillor COOPER's launching of a new Heritage Trail in
Spring Hill through a detailed guide of visitor destinations in the area. The
Heritage Trail is an opportunity to protect the area's significance, while
showcasing the interesting features of its heritage with locals and visitors, and it
highlights 21 different sites spanning over 3.2 kilometres. Residents can
experience the Spring Hill Heritage Trail at their own pace with family and
friends by downloading the free Heritage Trail through the Council's website.
While you are wandering the footpaths of Spring Hill, you are, of course, part of
postcode 4000. Postcode 4000 also includes the city, and we all know that on
this side of the Chamber we are focused on new ideas for a better Brisbane and
creating investment and job opportunities now and for years to come. Just like it
says in strategy 3.2.1 we want to facilitate economic prosperity, protect local
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 181 character, provide vibrant public places, set standards for new development and
facilitate the delivery of infrastructure.
Strategy 3.2.2 reiterates that the key focus will be on renewal and revitalisation
of key precincts in the city. In order to do this, we need to keep investing in
maintaining and modernising our streetscape infrastructure so that residents can
continue to explore the city on foot in a safe and pleasant environment. That is
why our Administration supports the further expansion of Edward Street as a
retail destination, and streetscape upgrades to a wider, tree-lined boulevard.
Postcode 4000 with Brisbane City alone—so not including Spring Hill—has
around 6,000 residential apartments. That is right, Madam Chairman, 6,000.
These residents have just as much right to streetscape upgrades as any other
postcode, and that is why I thought it a great shame that those opposite
seemingly have taken the position that certain footpath and streetscape projects
in the city should not occur.
It is such a shame that those opposite seemingly don't want to widen city
footpaths to improve pedestrian flows. They do not want city footpaths
upgraded to improve the accessibility, maintainability and the appearance of the
streetscape. They do not want the advanced tree-planting to improve visual and
physical amenity, and to deliver on Council's commitment to shaded footpaths.
They do not want city footpath lighting improved for pedestrian accessibility
and safety.
Every day retailers and residents in the city tell me that they want us to continue
to invest in their streets and footpaths. Every day retailers and residents in the
city tell me that they want safer, smoother surfaces. Every day residents and
retailers tell me they want us to continue to invest in upgrades so that businesses
themselves can continue to invest, grow and deliver jobs for Central Ward.
So many Central Ward residents rely on a job in retail in the city. I really am
puzzled as to why these residents appear to have been told by Labor, through
statements by their Lord Mayoral candidate to the media that certain streets in
their area are not deserving of streetscape upgrades and footpath maintenance.
These residents, who work in the city pubs and bars, the hairdressers, small,
medium and large retailers, the jewellers, homewares stores, restaurants—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor HOWARD:
—and cafes.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor HOWARD:
—seemingly have all been told by Labor that their area does not need support.
Well, Madam Chairman, I—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor HOWARD:
—well, Madam Chairman, I stand for jobs—jobs for the city and jobs for
Central. Our Queen Street Mall precinct, including now the Edward Street area,
is a world-class destination that is a huge employer. It is the most successful and
iconic retail area in Australia, which today accommodates 26 million visitors
and more than 1,000 retails.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor HOWARD:
As the strategy says, we need to provide vibrant places to set standards for new
development and to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure. We are getting on
with the job, creating opportunities for increased and sustainable employment,
and I thank our Development Assessment teams, Councillor COOPER and the
LORD MAYOR for their hard work in this space.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 182 Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, thank you, Madam Chairman; I rise to speak on Program 3,
Future Brisbane, and clearly we have entered the comedy floorshow portion of
the budget today with the comments from the LNP Councillors opposite. It is
astonishing, astonishing the way in which they go about interpreting what they
think they are doing versus what is actually happening out in our community. I
just think it just shows how out of touch they are. Clearly they are not talking to
their residents, or maybe their residents are not coming in because they know
they are not going to get listened to or heard or whatever. But there has to be
something that explains the disconnect between what this Administration is
doing, what they think is happening, and what is actually happening on the
ground in this portfolio.
There are a few issues that I want to speak on today. Firstly, I think this program
should be really renamed Subsidies for Big Business, because the initiatives in
this budget that are being funded, including subsidies for developers who are
building commercial apartments, is just wrong. It just should not be happening. I
think this is inappropriate use of ratepayers' funds to subsidise commercial
developers who are making extensive profits, and ratepayers in our city who are
struggling to pay rates are funding this. That is what we are being asked to
approve in this budget today. I think that is morally and ethically wrong, and I
do not support it.
I do not think it should have happened for hotels either. It is problematic from
my point of view that the Administration is now rolling out this scheme and we
are going to see a flurry of inappropriate development on the basis of this
subsidy. I am shocked that this is the way the Administration wants to go when
people are doing it tough out in the suburbs. I think residents would be shocked
to know that their rates are subsidising major commercial property developers,
multinational companies, and I just think that is wrong. It should not be
happening.
It also leads into the Edward Street revitalisation SCIP, and it is very interesting,
isn't it, that out in the suburbs, in Graceville, my business owners have been
required to contribute a levy towards the Graceville SCIP. They are required to
contribute 10 per cent of the overall cost of the SCIP. I am presuming it is the
same out in Alderley. I don't know, but I think it is quite normal that there is a
levy for business owners.
It is interesting, isn’t it, that we come into the city, we come to Edward Street,
where we have some of the largest property investment companies in Australia
who own properties, very large companies, multinationals, these are the property
owners, and we are not asking them to pay a cent. So it is okay for small
business owners out in the suburbs to pay to contribute to have their street
upgraded, but it is okay for big business in the city not to. That is what this
Administration is asking us to approve today.
I don't really have a problem with doing a bit of work on Edward Street, but the
fact that this Administration is not being fair in the way it is delivering the
project, and the fact it is providing a benefit to big business and bit property
owners in the city, and it is not prepared to provide a similar benefit to small
property owners and small businesses in the suburbs is, in my view, morally and
ethically wrong. That is what we are being asked to approve today.
I know Councillor COOPER is leaving, and we can see she is thrilled to be here.
We can see she is thrilled to be here today. She gave a six-minute speech, and
sat down basically, so she's really proud of her portfolio. The other thing in here
that at the time I thought was quite good when I heard the LORD MAYOR
announce it, was that we are investing $400,000 into a suburban taskforce to
investigate construction issues. I thought, that's excellent.
Then in the estimates, I asked Councillor COOPER some questions about it, and
the answer I got was quite astonishing in my view. Firstly, this is for the three
extra people, so that part of it is quite good. I asked her how much do we put at
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 183 the moment into CaRS in this area to do development investigations, and she
told me, $7.72 million. The great benefit that we are about to get, and all these
extra investigations and all this extra looking into things that
Councillor COOPER and Councillor HOWARD have been speaking about is an
extra $400,000. That is less than 5 per cent increase to the total budget.
If with $7.7 million you are not getting it right, I am not sure what benefit an
extra $400,000 is going to make. I will be following this up, because I have had
dozens and dozens of complaints. It is clear that the system is not working. I
suspect that all of the complaints my residents have been making are part of why
there is some attempt, belatedly now, to actually do something about this. But it
seems to me there is a fundamental problem.
The letters I get back from the LORD MAYOR or the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) say, oh, I am sorry, we can't investigate this. Yes, there's a building
approval, or sorry, yes there's a development approval but we are not
responsible for enforcing that development approval. We can't do anything
about it; go to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
I go to the QBCC; they say, oh, it's a Council issue. That is what is going on at
the moment out there. Meanwhile I have residents in Yeerongpilly, three
residents around a development site that has been poorly managed, and they
have been flooded on multiple occasions because the developer is failing to
manage the erosion, failing to manage water, and it is causing hardship and
despair to residents out in the community.
I've got a resident today here in the folder; they started contacting Council back
in February. They made three requests to Council for assistance about
development in their street, and I've got it all in writing, all in writing. I
followed up—they came to me after the third time they personally tried with
Council to get an outcome. I have now followed up. They have written to me
again saying that Council has opened a new job because it has been moved to a
different area in Council, and blah, blah, blah.
These people are getting the run-around, and that is the normal experience of
residents who are out there dealing with inappropriate development in our
suburbs. It has been approved with so many relaxations to make it adverse for
neighbours; then the builders come along and they've got carte blanche to do
whatever they want, all over the street. That is wrong. It is wrong.
This Council does not have the guts to enforce development approval
conditions; it does not have the guts to tell developers that what they are doing is
inappropriate. I will keep pushing and pushing and pushing about this matter
until we get better outcomes for our residents, because clearly that is not
happening at the moment. That is a massive failing of this Administration, and I
can tell you out there residents are screaming it from the rooftops. What they
can't understand is why—well, they don't understand why Council approve
developments that don't meet the town plan to start with. Then they can't
understand why Council won't enforce the conditions, their own conditions that
Council set down that this Council will not enforce. That is massively
problematic.
The Graceville SCIP—I just want to make mention of the Graceville SCIP. I
have said all along—and this has been my position for about five years—half of
this funding should have gone to the Graceville five-ways, which is a critical
area in need of an upgrade, and about half of it should have gone to the
Bank Road precinct that is the subject of the SCIP. I think that would have been
the fair way to do it. Both areas are in need of an upgrade, and probably the
five-ways quite significantly.
I have been astonished to watch the process unfold. Some $3.75 million is just a
huge amount of money. We are basically fixing footpaths and planting trees.
There is going to be an artwork which is interesting. There have been public
workshops where two residents have turned up, and there have been more
Council officers present than residents. I was asked not to publicise these. They
were going to do it directly. Then a couple of days beforehand, they thought
numbers were a bit low and I should maybe do something, but I followed the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 184 Council officers' instructions. I had two days to let people know that they could
go along. But I tried my best to do so.
I think there is very good intention behind what is happening with the Graceville
SCIP but I think there is not the right focus and emphasis on making sure that
this is handled in a very cost effective and efficient way. Also the funding has
been rolled out. So this is one of those episodes of where they started it last year;
they are rolling it over to this year. No doubt it will be—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, your time has expired.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—launched in March 2016.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor WINES.
Councillor WINES:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise in support of Program 3, Future Brisbane. I
need to begin by addressing an argument put forward by the Opposition that
somehow the work on Edward Street is for free to those businesses while the
work in Graceville and Alderley is at a cost to those landowners. If you are a
landholder in the city heart, you have been paying a long-standing levy, a
special activity levy for many years for the City Heart Activation Levy which is
about drawing people into the city and making it a more attractive place to come
and shop and to recreate—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, you've had your turn.
Councillor WINES:
My understanding is that landowners pay this on the understanding that Council
will work to bring people into the city to shop and to recreate. I love how the
Opposition Councillors are talking about how it's all for big business and that no
one shops there. Councillor DICK was just able to reel off every brand in the
street—Armani, Louis Vuitton, he knew them all. I am confident that when he
has been sworn in as the member for Oxley next year, he will be wearing a coat
and tie purchased in our very own Edward Street. The uptown boy himself will
be down there in Edward Street enjoying the works of this Council—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES:
Councillor DICK, I am always willing to take lessons from a stylish gent such as
yourself. You know where to shop.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES:
I'll see you on Edward Street, Councillor DICK; I'll see you on Edward Street.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor WINES:
The truth is that the Edward Street upgrade is actually going to be a wonderful
extension of a pedestrianisation of a popular and increasingly popular shopping
destination. Sure, some of those are higher end brands, but we want people to
come into the city; we want them to spend their money here, because
interestingly, my aunt is a shop assistant in one of the brands down there. She is
on an hourly rate and depends on people buying shirts and ties for her
employment.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor WINES:
What I am saying, Councillor SUTTON, is we should give—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor WINES:
We should give shop assistants a real chance. I know that you don't want people
to have—there are people out there who need some assistance. I always
understood the Labor Party—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 185 Councillor WINES:
—was about that. But I will continue on.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor WINES:
Councillor DICK just said don't dig the hole deeper. I just think to myself,
Councillor DICK, you know full well that you will be enjoying this upgrade,
more than anyone else in this room, and the hypocrisy is amusing to me.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES:
Also this section talks about the Alderley suburban centre upgrade—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES:
—or the Alderley SCIP, and it is going to be fantastic for Alderley. Alderley is a
real go-ahead place which has in its centre a shopping centre which has been
there since before the greater City of Brisbane existed. It was the frontier town
where you would come to water your horses before you journeyed out to the
farms of Mitchelton, Samford and the Outer Kedron areas, where the farms used
to be. The Alderley Arms Hotel was long the watering hole for the humans, and
they used to have a trough out the front, a watering hole for the horses.
Councillor CUMMING:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order.
Yes, Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Where is this in the budget?
Chairman:
Just a minute, Councillor WINES. Councillor CUMMING, I have allowed a lot
of levity in terms of what is being debated on both sides of the Chamber. A lot
of it, quite frankly, is not to do with this year's budget. So I am assuming by
your raising that point of order that your side is going to stick strictly to what is
in the budget book?
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Order! Order!
Councillor WINES.
Councillor WINES:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
When they quieten down a bit.
Councillor WINES:
For Councillor CUMMING, I was merely providing context to give you some
idea of the age of the centre. But now, a new life is about to spring forward from
this centre provided by the Alderley SCIP. Businesses are already returning their
interest to the area. There are more inquiries about taking leaseholds there
because they know what is coming. People are more interested in purchasing
homes in the Alderley area because they know that these projects are here to try
and make the place much more attractive.
The truth is that Alderley is four to five kilometres from the city and still
relatively affordable by comparison to other suburbs that are that distance from
town. This will make it a focal point for the north-west, sort of once again an
entry treatment to the further out suburbs and a real landmark in our northwestern suburbs.
I also would like to talk about public art. In my opinion, public art is about a
demonstration of pride in your area. It also is a demonstration of an attempt to
make things more attractive and to draw people's eye, and it also battles things
such as a concrete jungle and the fact that grey can be a little bit cold and
confronting. It also has practical elements; public art reduces the incidence of
graffiti, and graffiti is also an indicator of other crimes along the way. Where
there is graffiti, other crimes tend to occur, or at least the sensation that the place
is not safe can be attributed to graffiti and other sorts of vandalism.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 186 Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON!
Councillor WINES:
But where there is public art, you are less likely to see graffiti, which increases
safety, which increases the attractiveness of a place. I must remark that the work
done for G20 on the train bridge near Kurilpa Point is extremely attractive, and I
really took a moment to go and have a look at the work on the viaduct of the
Go Between Bridge, and it was also remarkable as well. These sorts of works
are just a demonstration of pride in our city to make it more attractive, but also
to increase the sense of safety and battle graffiti.
I also want to briefly touch on the Suburban Construction Management
Taskforce which I would like to recognise is an important part of this program.
It is about putting a dedicated and specialist team at the sort of pointy end to try
and deal with construction management issues early. Many of us would have
complaints come through our ward offices about these sorts of things. I am very
much looking forward to being able to have specialist case workers who work
on these things quickly and promptly and accurately. I am a great supporter of
this initiative, and I hope that not only the Councillors will support this initiative
but this entire program, as I will be later. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair; I rise to speak on this program. I guess for me the
most concerning issue in this program is the significant financial windfall that
this Council is going to be receiving from development in this year's budget, a
45 per cent increase in expected revenue.
We always said when City Plan 2014 was endorsed by this Chamber, rammed
through by the LNP Administration, that it would give the green light to
developers to do whatever they want to do in our suburbs. When you compare in
the 12 months that that City Plan has come into operation the fact that we now
have a 45 per cent increase in revenue, clearly in this town under this
Administration, money talks.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, that is a fairly offensive comment. You are imputing
motive, and I ask you to withdraw it.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well, Madam Chair, at your direction, and only at your direction, I will
withdraw it.
Chairman:
Furthermore, on that basis, I ask you to apologise for making that statement.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well, Madam Chair, I have withdrawn the comment at your direction.
Chairman:
No, I just—because you did not withdraw it with any intent. I am asking you to
apologise for making what was an offensive comment.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor SUTTON:
There seems to be some—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, do not debate my direction. I am directing you to
apologise for that statement.
Councillor SUTTON:
Given the offense—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON—
Councillor SUTTON:
I apologise.
Chairman:
—if you wish to continue, you apologise for your statement.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 187 Councillor SUTTON:
I was just saying, I will apologise given the offense that has been taken. I don't
know what you are talking about, but I am talking about a 45 per cent increase
in the revenue gained from development.
Chairman:
I know exactly what you said, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Madam Chair, the fact is that, week after week, day after day, in my office we
have got people, residents of this city, coming into my office, coming into this
Council Chamber, complaining about the types of development this
Administration is allowing to be approved. Clearly, this Administration is
getting a significant windfall from those DAs.
I can spend my time, my full 10 minutes, rattling off the details of development
applications in my ward that have been approved that are inconsistent with the
acceptable solutions under the City Plan. But do you know what? It is not
specifically budget related, so I won't do that. But there is a problem with the
City Plan that this Administration has introduced. There is a problem, and we
see that problem through the concerns that are being expressed, and people are
using words like they have been disenfranchised, they have been disempowered,
they have lost all control, there is no one on their side. This is from an
Administration who introduced neighbourhood planning which claims to be this
planning panacea, a utopia, that was going to allow residents to have a greater
say.
This budget funds neighbourhood plans this financial year for Alderley,
Holland Park and The Gap—finally in The Gap after the most significant
development application those residents were concerned about, it has already
been approved. We wait to give them an opportunity to have their say until the
single biggest development application has been done and dusted.
Madam Chair, there is a problem. What I would have liked to see in this budget
is a significant review of City Plan that actually empowers residents, that
actually enables them to have a real say in what happens in their community,
and something that actually makes developers stick to the City Plan, because
they are not sticking to the City Plan.
We are approving anything and everything that is put to us, and as a
consequence, we see a 45 per cent revenue increase in this budget. I say it just
shows how much this LNP Administration is dependent on DAs to fund their
budget bottom line. They are a cash-strapped Administration that is increasingly
looking to the development sector to fund its operations, and that is my concern.
I share Councillor ABRAHAMS' and Councillor JOHNSTON's concerns about
the rebates or remissions to developers for hotels and student accommodation. I
don't think it is appropriate either. I think for them to have infrastructure charges
waived, given the impact that those developments create on our local
community—imagine if we didn’t waive the infrastructure charges for student
accommodation and actually put funding into public transport infrastructure that
those students use to get around our city.
The LORD MAYOR is bent on his economic development drive. Well, imagine
if we actually got the hotels to pay infrastructure charges, how those
infrastructure charges could actually help fund some of these Economic
Development initiatives that he is actually wanting to pursue. Instead, we are
foregoing that cash, and we are asking Brisbane residents, through their rates, to
fund these initiatives. These businesses aren’t building hotels because it is in the
public interest; they are profiting from it.
They aren’t building student accommodation out of the goodness of their heart;
they are profiting out of it, and all we are doing is allowing those profits that go
into the private hands of often multinational companies that aren't necessarily
reinvested back into Brisbane, and Brisbane sees no benefit from it, that is not
good economic sense, and it is highly inappropriate, and I think highly offensive
to the bulk of Brisbane residents that quite frankly probably don't know that this
has been a drive of their LORD MAYOR. But I will take great pleasure in
telling more and more people about it.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 188 On the Edward Street upgrade project, when I was sitting here writing my notes,
I did actually think that I would try to respond to Councillor WINES, but he just
demonstrated that he is in such la-la-land when it comes to the fact that it is
some kind of magic concoction that he has come up with about how these high
end retailers are actually already paying, which is just quite frankly ludicrous.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor WINES!
Councillor SUTTON:
I will treat that argument with the contempt—
Chairman:
Councillor WINES!
Councillor SUTTON:
—with the contempt that it deserves.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor WINES, if you continue to interject, I will warn you.
Councillor SUTTON:
As far as I understand, there will be no specific levy—there will be no specific
levy to the Edward Street traders against—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
That is what I said, no specific levy to the Edward Street traders for this
Edward Street precinct upgrade. Like there is to all those businesses in Alderley
and in Graceville SCIPs, the Cannon Hill traders had to pay it; all those other
SCIPs traders—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Because if there was a specific levy against this project, it should be seen in the
revenue section of this budget, and there is nothing. So, again, in black and
white, here in their own budget, the Edward Street, the high end Edward Street
traders, will not pay one cent towards this—are you okay?
Chairman:
I am being distracted by one of your fellow Councillors, that is all. Continue,
Councillor SUTTON; don't be distracted.
Councillor SUTTON:
Right—they will not pay one cent towards the construction of this upgrade,
unlike all of those suburban traders who have been patiently waiting for SCIPs
to be delivered. All of those traders in all of those suburban centres, all of those
suburban SCIPs have always paid a levy, but when it comes to this
Administration, the CBD and the CBD traders get whatever they want, and the
suburban retailers, and the smaller scale small business, who this Administration
proposes to support, have to dig further into their own pockets to actually see
improvements in their suburbs.
In terms of the Laneways project, I actually have to say I have lost all
confidence in this Laneways project. I would like to see the detailed criteria
about how these projects are selected, because as far as I can see, whoever
recommended Burnett Lane and the outcomes in Burnett Lane quite frankly
should be sacked. I am not often in the city on a Saturday night these days, but I
was a couple of weeks ago, and I actually specifically went past Burnett Lane
specifically to see the vibrancy of it, and it was as dead as a doornail.
Perhaps, Councillor DICK, if you were in there having dinner, it would have
come to life, because clearly that is a measure of the lane's success. But
unfortunately you were otherwise engaged on that night that I was in there. But
whoever recommended the outcomes of that lane should be sacked. That was a
complete and utter waste of money in any way, shape or form that you look at it.
As to Mooney Fountain, quite frankly, all that has delivered in my view is
private footpath dining space for the operator that is out there. You drive past
that, and all you see are all the tables and chairs for the café that is there, sitting
out in all the public space. That is a really great use of public money, to
construct a deck so some private business—
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON, your time has expired. Thank you.
Councillor SUTTON:
—can actually just get more revenue through footpath dining.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 189 Chairman:
Thank you. DEPUTY MAYOR.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; I rise to support this program, Future Brisbane. It
is, according to its name, supporting the future of our city. It is a forward
looking program, one that goes ahead and does a number of things which Labor,
as we have heard today, just does not have the guts to do or the vision or the
foresight to do.
Investment in a whole range of initiatives, such as the ones that they are
criticising, like streetscape improvement, pedestrian improvement, public
artwork, lighting for the CBD to bring people into the city—these are not things
that cities like Brisbane or modern cities can ignore. These are not things that we
can bury our head in the sand about. If we don't do these things, we will be left
behind. You only have to look at the Vivid Festival in Sydney to see just the
massive impact that creative lighting can have, bringing literally tens of
thousands and hundreds of thousands of people to that city specifically for that
lighting festival. We have an Opposition here who are against anything new. But
they are also arguing against their own arguments. We heard a classic
example—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—we heard a classic example from Councillor SUTTON. I took notes while she
was speaking. But the logic there confused the absolute hell out of me, I've got
to say. Councillor SUTTON said it is outrageous that we are getting a
45 per cent windfall, apparently, from development activity, through application
fees and infrastructure charges and other things like that. She made an
outrageous claim about money talking, which was just disgraceful—absolutely
disgraceful.
Then, in the next breath, she said, it is outrageous that we are not charging
developers more for building hotels or student accommodation. It does not make
sense. It does not make sense.
Councillor SUTTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order
Yes, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Claim to be misrepresented.
Chairman:
Thank you.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
You didn’t do a very good job of representing yourself just before, so good luck
explaining what you have said. The reality is: do you want us to charge
developers more, or do you want us to charge developers less? Come clean;
explain yourself, because—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—there is no consistent position from the Opposition here. Apparently we are
charging too much, and we are charging too less, or not enough. Let's have a
look at this hotel infrastructure charges reduction that was in place. Apparently
all of these new hotels, we should have collected money from. Guess what;
those new hotels would not have existed without the subsidy. Guess how much
money we collected from new hotel developments in the 10 years prior to this
policy being implemented. Nothing. Guess how much money we lost from this
policy being implemented. Nothing.
So, if there was no hotel investment for 10 years, and we collected no
infrastructure charges, then we are actually not giving anything away. But what
we have done is supported and encouraged the development of new hotels in
this city which support our economy, provide jobs and investment in our city—
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 190 Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
We are collecting rates from these properties. The investment is flowing on to
the people of Brisbane; and Labor, if they were in office, quite clearly would
have just wanted to charge them. That would have meant that these projects
would not happen. These hotels would not exist without the support of Council
and the facts will prove that that is the case.
When it comes to development activity and the comments that were made about
the activity that is going on at the moment in the new City Plan, Labor really is
nowhere on this issue. They have tried to peddle this line that all of the
development activity that is happening in Brisbane at the moment, particularly
in the residential sphere, is somehow because we have suddenly pushed a big
green button. I would like to be able to say that is the case, but do you know
what? We cannot claim the credit for that. It is called market conditions. The
residential property market is going gangbusters. Guess what; it is going even
more gangbusters in Sydney and Melbourne as well. Did they have a new
City Plan? Did they press a big green button? No. It is the economy.
Councillor interjecting.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Yes, I was going to say that, but no, I’d better not. It is the economy and market
conditions that are driving this investment in our city. We continue to hear the
absolute false claims that developers are getting approvals that don't comply
with the City Plan. Absolute rubbish. If developers were getting approvals that
don't comply with the City Plan, those approvals would end up in court, and
those approvals would be overturned. But do you know what happens more
often than not? When we refuse an application, it goes to court; subsequently
approved. That happens more often than not. So what does that say about
Labor's claims?
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
A complete fantasy, manufactured claims, and lowest common denominator,
politics. We are seeing in this city a big investment in providing homes for the
people of Brisbane, and homes for our residents. Labor can call it anything they
want, but that is what the majority of the development activity in our city
is doing—providing homes for people to live in. You can take the
not-in-my-backyard attitude all you like; you can try and score political points,
but this is about the growth and development of our city, the creation of homes
for people to live in, the creation of jobs and economic activity across the city.
We know that construction is one of the major pillars of our economy. We know
of the tens of thousands of union members that are currently in work because of
this economic activity. Many of those union members are over in
South Brisbane working on projects right now. So they had better worry if
Labor ever gets into administration and puts the kybosh on all of these projects
like they are falsely promising people.
But we know that so many of the developments that we are seeing at the
moment would have been possible under the City Plan 2000 which Labor
brought in. I know for a fact in my ward that the complaints about developments
that are occurring, almost every single one of them relate to City Plan 2000
developments, developments that were permissible for 15 years, but now are
only happening because of market conditions, but apparently—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—it is all our fault. Labor needs to—
Chairman:
Order!
DEPUTY MAYOR:
—Labor needs to get their position straight when it comes to this program,
because they are all over the place, making false claims, misleading the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 191 community blatantly, and of course, playing the politics of envy with projects
like Edward Street.
The footpath in Edward Street that we are going to upgrade belongs to the
people of Brisbane. It doesn’t belong to any particular business; it doesn’t
belong to property owners; it belongs to the people of Brisbane, and we are
upgrading it for the people of Brisbane.
Those property owners, which Opposition Councillors have claimed are
somehow getting a special deal or a sweetheart deal, not only are they paying
the highest rates in the city because they are in the CBD, they are also paying an
economic development levy on top of that. They have been paying that for years
and years and years. They are contributing towards—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor SUTTON!
Just a moment, DEPUTY MAYOR.
Councillor SUTTON, if you continue to interject, you will be warned.
Thank you. DEPUTY MAYOR.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Thank you. They are contributing towards a whole range of initiatives that this
Council does, and this year they will be contributing around $11 million in that
levy. So the people that are supposedly getting a free ride, Labor is simply
misleading the Chamber and misleading the people of Brisbane. They are
paying far more in rates than the suburban businesses that the Opposition talked
about, and what we are doing is simply providing a safe, attractive, enhanced
pedestrian environment for the people of Brisbane. There's been a lot of private
investment in Edward Street.
Chairman:
DEPUTY MAYOR, your time has expired.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
It is about time we made some public investment in Edward Street.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor SUTTON; misrepresentation.
Councillor SUTTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Councillor SCHRINNER claimed that I said that it
was outrageous that we are not charging developers more when it came to the
hotels and student accommodation rebates. That is not what I said. I said that it
was my view that they needed to pay the infrastructure charges that they were
required to, and that this Council should not be subsidising those infrastructure
charges or reducing them.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair; I rise to speak on Program 3, Future Brisbane. There
is a lot to debate today. Disappointingly, there is not a lot to actually argue with
in this program, because all we heard from the Chair was, as
Councillor ABRAHAMS said, just more fairy lights for the city and artwork,
not actually what is the future planning direction for our city.
I want to start with neighbourhood planning. I note that we are getting three
Neighbourhood Plans—one for the Coorparoo Holland Park district, The Gap
and Newstead North. I will give it to the LNP that they came up with
Newstead North on their own, but the other two have been driven by the
community, against opposition from the LNP. I go back to when residents
petitioned this Council at The Gap, and this was a media report at the time about
the very neighbourhood plan we are discussing in the program items today.
The Gap does not need a neighbourhood plan, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk
believes, and last week surprisingly wrote to every single household in The Gap
to explain his position.
Councillor interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 192 Councillor DICK:
So we remember the fierce opposition by the LNP for when residents wanted a
neighbourhood plan, what's changed? What's happened?
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Well, what's happened is we know that the then State Member backed in what
the community want, and there was a disagreement with the Chairperson and the
LORD MAYOR and the local State Member. What has happened since then?
The hard-working and well-respected local Councillor is retiring today, and
there is a new Councillor coming in there. What I want to know is: why did the
LORD MAYOR at one stage say they didn’t need a neighbourhood plan, and
why do they now say they do? Pretty clear. The Gap does not need a
neighbourhood plan, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk believes.
So, there was no, well, we will take your views on board. Definitive: we won't
deliver a neighbourhood plan. We know that. Also at the time—and I respect
her—Councillor Geraldine KNAPP wrote against the local plan in the local
newspaper this month, and did not support a neighbourhood plan for that, with
good reasons around the density levels. I understand that and respect that.
However, fast forward to this budget, and I certainly hope this is not because we
are re-setting the structure for the LNP inside the ward of The Gap to try and
win the ward of The Gap. So that is the first thing.
The second neighbourhood plan was the Coorparoo/Holland Park
neighbourhood plan. I know locals out there have been petitioning this Council
and have been circulating petitions to get this going. In fact, the local
Councillor, Councillor McKENZIE, launched his own petition to get a
neighbourhood plan up and running, and hasn’t even tabled that petition in
response to what residents were petitioning.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Well, he tabled it—sorry, the day before the budget came down.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
Councillor DICK:
So you can imagine they pulled the budget off the printers and said, hang on,
before we go and start printing on page 69 of the budget, wait, just wait. Cool
your jets; we have got some amendments to make because very last night, the
local Councillor—nothing to do with the community campaign running
around—tabled the petition in Council. I mean, come on. What we are seeing
with neighbourhood planning is just a political tool by the LNP to prop up their
election campaigns, which really much as this budget is true and true.
Under service item 3.2.3.2 which is the CBD Lighting program, on page 74 to
75 of the budget, we are asked today to approve this total project of $3 million.
That is a lot of investment by this Council for an inner-city lighting project. I
understand that is a priority for the LNP. This side of the Chamber believes that
sort of money should be invested in our suburbs to improve suburban lighting.
That is the difference between this side of the Chamber and that side of the
Chamber. We think the safety of residents should come first before we get into a
lighting spectacular for the city.
We know we have the Gold Lotto emblem on City Hall at Christmas time. I
certainly hope we are not going to see more brands being used as a result of this
lighting program as well, which segues nicely into the Edward Street upgrade,
which is on part of 3.2.2.1 The Urban Futures of Brisbane. Right on this issue,
as we have been speaking about today, is an $11 million allocation.
We have heard from the DEPUTY MAYOR and we have heard from other
Councillors that this is some sort of return on the investment for the businesses
in Edward Street. Well, if that is the case, what of businesses in Elizabeth Street,
George Street, Albert Street? The argument is flawed, because we are hearing,
well, they deserve this. They deserve the allocation. What about the businesses
at Alderley and Graceville? It is the community's footpaths there too. So they
are paying through their rates. It makes no sense.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 193 The only sense we make out of it and the only sense the people of Brisbane
work out is that the LNP want to look after high end luxury brands; they want to
make sure that those struggling brands, as Councillor WINES said that I was
across, the multinational companies which are—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
—no, not a high end brand—I've got enough to deal with fashion advice on this
side of the Chamber, let alone moving across to that side of the Chamber, I tell
you. See what I've got to deal with in the front row with Councillor FLESSER
and Councillor CUMMING; I've got my hands full before I move over there.
Nonetheless, it is an awful amount of money that we are spending—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
The other issue, and a serious issue I've got concerns about, is the traffic issues
surrounding this. You take out a lane of traffic; what does that do for public
transport, for parking in the city—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
—those serious questions. When I put them to the LORD MAYOR, he sort of
harked back to Maureen Hayes and said that this was her grand plan or
something. I don't think Maureen Hayes has been here for about eight or 10
years—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
I understand that this is a significant investment, and we are simply asking: what
is the direct return for the ratepayers across our city. When you ask inner-city
residents to have a gift of $11 million, but residents in the Alderley and
Graceville SCIPs, which I may add are simply re-announcements from last
year—the issue I have today is: where are the new SCIPs for this year? Where
are the new SCIPs for the 2015-16 Budget? Has this Council given up on
providing this well-loved and well-needed program? There are no funding
allocations for any future SCIPs at all.
So, I've got a number of concerns, particularly when we have spoken about the
revenue, where we know that we are seeing a spike in revenue. As
Councillor ABRAHAMS said, what are the residents getting in return? What are
we getting when we are getting this revenue through the door, when we are
using the new City Plan, and of course City Plan is mentioned right throughout
Program 3, but not one mention of City Plan by the Neighbourhood Planning
and Development Assessment Committee Chairperson.
Councillor SCHRINNER, if you think you are on a winner with City Plan, come
out to some of the public meetings that I have been holding right across the city.
Seriously, come out. This is what people think of last week's commentary about
the City Plan: residents fear sham process. Residents fear sham process.
Community groups say City Plan could turn Brisbane into a slum. Our new plan
leaves city open to unacceptable development. So, you are living in a parallel
universe if you think the City Plan is a popular and well-loved document. You
are kidding yourself. Hundreds and hundreds of residents right across Brisbane
are angry—that is the only word I can use—angry against what this Council has
done, where they are seeing time and time again. This article was interesting,
because residents fear sham process. It was in Councillor WINES' ward;
frustration over development process is boiling over in Mitchelton.
Mitchelton Action Group member said she was disappointed to read comments
by the developer in the North-West indicating that Council refusal of his
application to develop was just a process—
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, your time has expired. Thank you.
Councillor DICK:
—and eventually development would be cleared by the courts. It says it all in
black and white.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 194 Councillor DICK!
Further debate?
Councillor KNAPP.
Councillor KNAPP:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on Program 3. In the 18 years that I
have been here, the constant in relation to this program has been the
underpinning of the 2000 City Plan and the 2014 City Plan. Previously, when I
became a Councillor, it was the 1987 plan.
Without the planning of a city plan of what does the city look like, it is not
simply about land use. We keep on talking in this place about something has
gone wrong because of all of a sudden there are units where there shouldn’t
have been units. Well, really, nothing much changed from the 2000 plan to the
2014 plan. In fact, in the 1987 plan, the land use was Residential (Res) A or
Res B. It changed from Res A to low density; it changed from Res B to lowmedium density. Nothing has changed. It is just as the DEPUTY MAYOR said.
The reality is that the city was a big country town in 1970.
I think we've got to actually take it in a historical context. It has grown
exponentially and grown well—grown well under Sallyanne Atkinson; grown
well under Jim Soorley. That underpinned the growth by how the city should
expand. Today the City Plan is a living, breathing document. Really, in the
service provider of 3.1.2 which is Strategic Land Use and Planning, it is a living,
breathing document. There are amendments that are made. Sometimes
Government legislation changes the way in which we need to change
requirements in the City Plan.
Road use—it tells us what the hierarchy of roads are. It tells us what you can do
on the land. You know, is it acceptable to have a childcare in a residential area.
Well, a lot of people don't like it, but that's where you can have childcare. It
once prevented childcare going on main roads, for a very good reason.
Whilst everyone doesn’t understand that that is how it directs the planning in
relation to the city, it is the critical document that allows us to be a terrific,
really wonderful New World City, the best capital city in Australia. The reality
is that this is a vibrant capital city because of the things we have done. I am
amazed, and I suppose half of the people in this Chamber weren't born in 1970
when I came to Brisbane. I think you actually have to look at the fact that, in
1970, everything shut.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor KNAPP:
There was not 24-hour trading.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
Councillor KNAPP:
The reality is that, coming to Brisbane in the 70s, at lunch time on a Saturday,
everything shut. Everything shut.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor KNAPP:
But all of a sudden, Expo came along and it changed the way we looked at our
city. The 1987 plan started to reflect the outdoor dining nature of the city. In
1970, regional shopping centres were a new-fangled thing. Chermside had just
been built. Indooroopilly was just being built as I came. Of course, the reality is
that, what happened was, it took away trade from the CBD. People wanted to
shop in their localities. It was important, so the CBD languished. It was a place
for business, and yes, there was a Coles and whatever, but people started going
to their regional shopping centres.
All of a sudden, Expo brought us back in with the view of opening up the river.
Again, I pay tribute to the previous mayors who actually implemented the
beginning of us becoming this fabulous city that we are today. So,
Madam Chair, I think that we should recognise this and stop whinging and
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 195 whining about the City Plan 2014 has done this, when the only great change,
and one of the small changes was you could build up to 9.5 metres.
When I look at the people that put in submissions against the City Plan, I did not
see many—you know, the submissions in 2000 when we were in Opposition, I
can assure you, there were over 7,000 submissions. We did our homework. I
don't see it today, and I think people like living in Brisbane. I think they
understand that there is change afoot. I don't like change; nobody likes change.
Nobody likes a house that goes next to them and takes their views away. Oh,
where are my views? Well, City Plan has never protected the views of people.
Madam Chair, I am pleased that there is a local plan. Whilst I agree that at the
time, and I still believed at the time, the thing that drove the local plan was
certainly not Cedar Woods; Cedar Woods was not even a glint in anyone's eye.
What happened was, there were some units being built at The Gap Shopping
Centre, and it was also driven by the Bunnings, again which was over in
Councillor WINES's ward, where people actually got really concerned about the
impact of that and traffic, and also about a three or four-storey block of units
that had been legitimately approved under a code in a shopping centre, which
was a Suburban Centre (MP3).
I appreciated the view that people wanted to keep the wonderful amenity of
The Gap suburb. It is truly one of the unique suburbs in Brisbane. So when
people signed the petition, it did not say we needed a local plan; it basically said
we need a plan to protect what we've got. Inherently, the City Plan protected
what they had. So, Madam Chair, it is time to have a plan for The Gap, and it is
a small scale plan. The Gap is low density. There is no capacity in any way,
shape or form to actually change it to low-medium. Economically it wouldn’t
work.
There are 5,200 dwellings in The Gap. There are three zonings in The Gap, and
environmental blocks, and there are 160 of those that ring around The Gap.
They will never be changed. Is there much land left to develop? No, there is not.
I have one block left, one block which could potentially have some townhouses
on it, because it is over 3,000 square metres. There are 256 townhouses in The
Gap. As a mix against providing a mix of housing, it is certainly less than it
should be, but that is the reality of it.
So what will the local plan do? It will engage everybody, and let them work out
what we want to protect. It is not just about the amazing Enoggera and Fish
Creek. It is about the sporting fields; it is about road use. It is about all of those
things that layer into a local plan.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor KNAPP:
Payne Road is a district access road.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor KNAPP:
Settlement Road is a suburban road; it is 60. It links The Gap across to
Samford Road.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
Councillor KNAPP:
Madam Chair, I think that, when people asked for it, they were asking
something that they didn’t realise inherently was protected by the City Plan. But
as we have done the plans, which were driven by the fact that we needed to plan
for density across the city, then the post-war suburbs were the ones where we
needed to come in and bring them inherently into the City Plan.
I would like to say that, over the 18 years, I would like to thank the members of
the Development Assessment team. For 18 years, they have provided amazing
advice. Any time I wanted to ring them to have a discussion about a DA, they
gave me frank and fearless advice. I learned an amazing amount from them. I
want to thank all the managers and all of the people that have been involved in
my time as a Councillor in this place.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 196 Of all of the things that we do, I think planning and how we plan for the
growing to make us and keep us the best capital in Australia has been a very
great important thing that we do. I value and appreciate always and will always
remember the great work that they did as part of this amazing program. Thank
you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
I will take another speaker. I have been advised that morning tea is 10 minutes
late.
Is there any further debate?
Councillor FLESSER.
Councillor FLESSER:
Madam Chair, I would love to. Mainly I would like to respond to comments that
the DEPUTY MAYOR made in relation to Edward Street in particular. He was
espousing, I suppose, it is the LNP's philosophy, that if you pay more in taxes,
then you're actually entitled to a greater benefit than someone who pays less—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
—someone said that's right. Well, Madam Chair, that is not what I believe in.
The DEPUTY MAYOR has been caught out I think today, saying something
like that. We know that he was caught out yesterday when he was speculating
about who introduced parking meters to Brisbane. We found out it was actually
the Liberal Party in 1957. He has been caught out again today. So forever and a
day—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor FLESSER:
—we will be saying we know who brought parking meters to Brisbane. It is
those people over there, and Councillor SCHRINNER was good enough to
highlight that yesterday. What is happening in this budget—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order! Can we just get back to the budget and Program 3 please?
Councillor FLESSER:
Absolutely, Madam Chair. Let's talk about Edward Street. I certainly don't
believe that those rich traders in Edward Street should be entitled to a benefit
that is disproportionate with what other ratepayers pay in Brisbane. I've got no
problem with them paying a benefit area levy, like my business traders have
done in Nundah and Banyo and other SCIPs across Brisbane, but let's be fair:
$11 million for that one very small part of Brisbane, and no benefitted area levy.
I don't accept the fact that because they pay higher rates there, like other
businesses in the city do, is a reason to give them such a bigger benefit.
The philosophy that Councillor SCHRINNER was talking about today is that,
well, they pay lots of rates, so therefore we are going to give them a bigger
entitlement. What about the residents in my ward? Sure, they pay lesser rates,
but does that mean that this Council should not be as accommodating for them?
When you look around at some of the small shopping centres that I have, and
every Councillor would have here, we see broken footpaths, we see poor
maintenance of those footpaths, not enough lighting in parks and around
shopping centres, I just don't believe that we should have a philosophy that if
you pay more in rates, then you are entitled to a bigger benefit.
So, Madam Chair, as far as that Edward Street development is concerned, and
the money that is allocated in this program in the budget, I do not believe that is
a good use of ratepayers' money. If there was a benefited area levy, I would have
a completely different view about it. But, Madam Chair, I just don't believe that
we are being fair on the ratepayers of Brisbane by allowing this to go through. I
think it is a bad move, and certainly something that would be very hard for me
to go out and explain to my ratepayers who complain to me.
I am sure every Councillor here gets the same complaints, that the footpaths
aren’t good enough, and then they read in the paper that these traders in
Edward Street are getting $11 million spent to pretty up their footpath and make
it a nicer place. How do you then go and explain to them, well, look, they're
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 197 getting a better footpath because they pay a lot of money in rates. It doesn’t
wash with me, and it doesn’t wash with the residents of Brisbane.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Okay.
ADJOURNMENT:
693/2014-15
At that time, 10.34am, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor
Kim MARX that the meeting adjourn for a period of 15 minutes to commence only when all Councillors had
vacated the Chamber and the doors have been locked.
Council stood adjourned at 10.35am
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Further debate on Program 3?
Councillor COOPER, would you like to close the debate?
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. So, Madam Chair, it's been pretty
disappointing listening to the debate from the other side this morning. They have
really come up with some pretty absurd nonsense. Didn’t really speak about the
budget at all actually, but they really have a political agenda and that seems
quite apparent with their commentary this morning. We saw some commentary
about revenue increases. Well, of course, they're based that on last year's budget.
Not on Third Quarter Budget Review (3BR), which is the most accurate figures
for them to actually work upon, but they don't seem to understand that the
budget continues to be updated throughout the year. So, in fact, it's interesting,
Councillor FLESSER, he weighed in, the heavyweight Councillor FLESSER
leapt in to make a few comments when, in fact, when you look at his own
career, when he was Finance Chair last couple of years, in his esteemed career
as Finance Chair, he himself enjoyed significant—what he's describing as
revenue that came in through Development Applications (DA) and
Infrastructure Charges Plan (ICP) revenue.
So when you look at the percentage of total budget in the 15, 16 years, those last
two years of him as Finance Chair actually saw greater percentages of the
budget coming in through DA and ICP revenue. So an absolute furphy from
Councillor FLESSER and Flessernomics is alive and well in the Brisbane City
Council Chamber. In fact, if you look also at what the revenue is about—and it
seems to be this railing on—what a disgrace that we are charging people to
lodge development applications. Well, what do those fees actually go towards?
Thank you very much. Those fees actually go towards labour.
They actually go towards paying people for doing the job of assessing,
thoroughly assessing, development applications. So would they like us to not
pay people? I would have thought that there are—that they, as these supporters
of the workers, would be keen to make sure that people were properly paid. So
labour and materials for the job to be done. It's not like stamp duty,
Madam Chair. Stamp duty, which the State Government incurs, which doesn’t
goes towards paying, Madam Chair—or perhaps it goes to paying ministers, but
it doesn’t actually deliver anything on the ground.
We note that the new treasurer has made no statements about declining on stamp
duty revenue. In fact, he's addicted to it, it seems quite clearly, Madam Chair. So
what an absolute nonsense. Then we saw Councillor ABRAHAMS. She said
that we're not seeing any new infrastructure being built. So all this growth is
happening with no infrastructure being built. Well, Councillor BOURKE, I
think, has got an award winning new facility out there at Frew Park, so I don’t
call that no new infrastructure. We note that she scorned that park. She didn’t
support that park.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 198 In fact, the Labor Party wanted to see high rise development on that site,
Madam Chair. So what an absolute pack of nonsense. Then, in her own ward,
you’ve got Councillor—we've got Councillor ABRAHAMS, she was supporting
the ABC site going on public open space. She didn’t see a problem with that.
She thought that was all fine. They didn’t pay infrastructure charges too, either,
DEPUTY MAYOR, through you, Madam Chair. They seem to have very
different attitudes.
I note, Councillor ABRAHAMS, she had a letter to the editor saying she
welcomed the decision of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC's)
headquarters to move to South Bank. She thought that that was great and fine.
Pretty disappointing and certainly some sort of—I think, some sort of
opportunity for her to stand up for, supposedly, her values. Then we have a site
also in her ward at 68 Vulture Street—I believe that's West End—where there
was a proposal for a development on this site. So this was a site that Council
actually was anticipating to purchase for public open space.
There
was
a
development
application
was
lodged,
which
Councillor ABRAHAMS—now, did she support public open space or did she
support a development? Drumroll, please. I would expect you to say public open
space. But, no. No. Au contraire. The Councillor for the Gabba Ward actually
endorsed a development on that site. Now, look, I think it's important for
everybody to note that the Councillor said that, you know, this is an application
for this site for something rather than open space and I understood that she
actually supported something that was above and beyond the neighbourhood
plan.
That's my—that's the information I have to hand. I am happy to be corrected on
that if that is not correct. I’m disappointed, but certainly—so above and beyond
the neighbourhood plan and yet she railed against development incurring above
and beyond the neighbourhood plan. So, please, a little bit of consistency would
be very much appreciated in the debate we've got here. We also saw
Councillor ABRAHAMS doesn’t support Edward Street, so she doesn’t want to
see safety improvements. She doesn’t want to see this important part of our city
really, I think, given a boulevard treatment.
She said, boulevards aren’t happening, but she doesn’t support a boulevard
proposal. So a little bit of inconsistency there in her commentary again. But of
course Councillor ABRAHAMS forgets to mention that in her very own ward,
down there at Logan Road, Woolloongabba, Council invested millions of dollars
in upgrading this dining precinct. So it was the old—it's called the
Antiques Precinct. It's been mentioned in many magazines. It's been referred to
as a fantastic new location created by Council with—was there a levy? No.
There wasn't a levy. There was no levy.
Multi-million dollars worth invested in her own ward, but she doesn’t support
Edward Street who pay, and correct me if I’m wrong, Finance Chair, I think
about $11.5 million through the Queens Street Mall benefit levy. So there's a
levy being paid. Edward Street, an important boulevard in the City Centre
Master Plan, that connection between Spring Hill all the way down to the
Botanic Gardens, this important boulevard—and we don’t have boulevards
according to Councillor ABRAHAMS, but she doesn’t support this boulevard
proposal. No. That is wrong.
But she was very—obviously very happy to see multi-million dollar investment
in her own ward without a levy. I also—if memory serves me correct—she
didn’t actually have a levy for the West End SCIP herself, so there was a—I
think that was 1994. I hope I’ve got that correct. There was no levy for the SCIP
in her own ward, so I think that the claim of hypocrisy that we certainly are very
strong supporters of, because it seems that the Labor Party say one thing,
Madam Chair, and then absolutely do another. So pretty disappointing debate all
round.
Then we also saw Councillor ABRAHAMS say that we were recycling Alderley
and Graceville SCIP proposals. Well, if you want us not to do consultation. If
you want us to go out with a plan, predetermined plan, and not let the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 199 community be involved, help decide the artwork, help plan so the construction
doesn’t impact on existing business owners, then we will deliver it in one year.
But if you want us to go out and talk to people about what they want to see
happen in their local area, then we will do it over a carefully staged and
managed two year period.
So that's always been the way, and I believe there's 44 SCIPS in this city and not
one single SCIP—and they were certainly set up under the Labor Party, I
believe—not one SCIP was delivered in a one year period. So that again is an
absolute furphy by the Australian Labor Party, Madam Chair. So it, I think,
shows that first of all they don’t know what they're talking about. Their facts are
fundamentally wrong. We had Councillor SUTTON talking about—she said two
neighbourhood plans. Then she announced three neighbourhood plans, so
inconsistency there.
She also mentioned we were doing a neighbourhood plan for Alderley. Wrong.
We're doing a SCIP for Alderley. A little bit of a difference, but perhaps her
detail's a little lacking. So it's pretty disappointing to see the level of debate. And
then there was commentary about the LORD MAYOR's commitment to
encourage hotels and student accommodation. It could not come as a surprise to
anyone in this city that the LORD MAYOR has clearly said that we want to
facilitate this sort of investment in our city.
Particularly, when you look at student accommodation, if you want to continue
to see student accommodation inappropriately located in the suburbs of our city
with not purpose built accommodation, not high quality public transport, no
management in place, if you want to continue to see that happen, then support
the Australian Labor Party, because that's clearly their policy platform.
Whereas this LORD MAYOR has said very specifically that if you are located
within four kilometres of the city centre, if you’ve got a—if you’ve got a
management plan, if you want to run this sort of accommodation very
appropriately, if you are going to have good public transport outcomes, this is
the place to locate student accommodation. Madam Chair, Future Brisbane is
about planning and it's a shame that the Australian Labor Party's attitude seems
to be an absolute shambles and with absolutely no basis in any fact whatsoever.
We've got Councillors basically just make it up and they get in here and all they
do is rant and rave about all sorts of things, play politics of envy, but they have
no suggestions. They have no kind of ideas. Councillor FLESSER can't even
report damaged footpaths in his own ward.
Chairman:
Councillor COOPER—
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you.
Chairman:
—your time has expired. Thank you.
I will put the motion for the adoption of the Future Brisbane program.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Future Brisbane program and it was
declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Ryan MURPHY and Andrew WINES immediately rose and called for a division, which
resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 23 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES,
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON, and
Shayne SUTTON.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 200 -
4. YOUR BRISBANE PROGRAM:
694/2014-15
Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor
Andrew WINES, that for the services of the Council, the allocations for the Operations and the Projects for the
year 2015-16 and the Rolling Recurrent Operations Contracts and the Rolling Projects for the Your Brisbane
program as contained on pages 79 to 102, and schedules on pages 173 to174, so far as they relate to Program 4,
be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. As Chair of Brisbane Lifestyle, it gives me great
pleasure to stand here today and talk about what we will be delivering through
Program 4 this financial year. Your Brisbane contributes to a vibrant 24 hour,
seven days a week New World City with opportunities for all residents, workers
and visitors to participate in cultural and recreational activities. We aim to foster
inclusion and stronger communities and in many ways we are contributing
towards this vision through our Festivals and Events program.
Our signature city festival, such as Brisbane Festival and BrisAsia Pacific Film
Festival offer world class entertainment and high profile opportunities for our
city's creative, which has continued to grow over the last four years, increasing
revenue from $12.5 million to $17 million. In his budget speech, the
LORD MAYOR noted the increased popularity of our suburban festivals. In
response, I’m pleased to say we are increasing our suburban festivals to 72 in
the 2015-16 financial year.
The eight new suburban festivals are Halloween on Blackwood Street, which is
in Mitchelton, Murarrie Neighbour Day, Easter in Frew Park, the
100th anniversary of the Mount Gravatt Show, Creative3, Art Expo,
Brisbane Sings and End of the Line festival in Woolloongabba. That doesn’t
include our brand new festivals which we'll be sponsoring this year as well. As a
New World City, Brisbane residents also have the opportunity to truly
experience the diverse cultures that make our city special. In 2015-16 we have
got over $529,000 allocated towards our multicultural festivals, which is an
increase from last year.
It enables us to support 40 festivals, with three new festivals; Filipino Barrio
Fiesta, Thai Festival and Brisbane Latino Festival. I thank the LORD MAYOR
for his commitment to this city's diversity. We support 11 key Brisbane events
through our arts and cultural support. By supporting our city's creative and
cultural organisation, we aim to develop an innovative sector and through
financial resilience and economic viability, help them to drive our creative
economy. I’m pleased to add that the budget for our arts and cultural support
program has increased from 2014-15 to $356,895 in 2015-16.
Residents and visitors also have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of
programs through the city entertainment service. Every weekend there are free
concerts in our best loved suburban parks. The BrisAsia Festival showcases
Asian culture and promotes Brisbane links with the Asian community. During
Youth Week, we will again enjoy the innovative contemporary music program,
the QUBE Effect, our new alternative to the Fete de la Musique. We had a
fantastic success this year with our bands in the South Bank Parklands and
Roma Street Parkland.
20 main stage performances, films, the original song, Into The QUBE, and the
general public were able to vote for the People's Choice Award for $4,000. In
2015-16, we're actually see a slight change to the QUBE Effect. Whereas this
year it was 15 years and older, we're going to extend it to 12 years and older, to
make sure we can get all of our young people involved and also include
professional development workshops for the musicians that enter.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 201 Madam Chair, this Administration knows it's important to create opportunities
across Brisbane for our creative workforce to develop our creative economy. We
offer grants and programs to retain Brisbane's creative talent and contribute to
our economy; for example, our one-off $25,000 through the Innovation Award,
which directly contributes to creative enterprises. We're looking forward to the
development of the app by Brett Leavy, Virtual Meanjin, which is an interactive
and immersive virtual heritage time machine that was awarded this year.
Lord Mayor's Young and Emerging Artists Fellowship has supported almost
100 young and emerging artists since its inception. This year, we have the
20th anniversary, which coincides with the Asia Pacific Cities Summit, where
we will launch an extension of the program called Sister Cities Network, which
will be focused on cultural exchange with Brisbane's nine sister cities. We also
are establishing ourselves a vibrant and cultural city through the contribution of
cultural icons, such as the Brisbane Powerhouse. A leading arts performance,
Brisbane Powerhouse contributes by giving us access to world class art forms
and performing arts to the City of Brisbane. They have had over 634,000 visits
to the precinct this financial year and this last financial year to date we have
seen an increase of 4.43 per cent in ticket sales. Madam Chair, this
Administration recognises the role our libraries play, providing a thriving
platform to allow Brisbane residents the opportunity to learn, connect and
socialise. Libraries play a vital role in strengthening community life and the
Administration is proud of our role that they play in our community.
$59.2 million in modern, well-resourced library networks; $3.9 million for
library refurbishment and enhancements to make sure that we have modern and
vibrant social places and that we have enhancements that meet the needs of the
residents right through the suburbs of Brisbane. We completed
Mount Ommaney Library this year and started Holland Park Library
refurbishment. Planning for Nundah, Corinda and Carina was undertaken, as
well as the enhancements for Mount Gravatt Library to ensure that we can
provide customer facilities such as a toilet for customers and reliable and safe
access to car parking.
In 2015-16, Holland Park Library refurbishments will be completed, together
with the construction of the car park and toilet at Mount Gravatt, with Nundah,
Corinda and Carina Library refurbishments commencing. This Administration
has also made a well-publicised commitment to create a diverse, inclusive and
accessible city by implementing several key plans and strategies, including the
Access and Inclusion Plan 2012-2017, Senior Strategy 2012-2017 and the Youth
Strategy 2014-2019.
This Administration has also committed to supporting and strengthening
relationships and connections with our city's indigenous and multicultural
communities. We have a dedicated indigenous team that delivers a range of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement projects and events, including
the Indigenous Aspiration Strategy, Black Diamonds program, Black History
Month and National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee
(NAIDOC). The team also engages with a number of different community
groups.
The multicultural team delivers number of projects, including partnerships with
culturally diverse communities, like our Community Connect Roadshows,
which allow Council to connect with those who have newly arrived and from
multicultural communities across Brisbane. We support Brisbane seniors and
people with a disability through a number of key initiatives. For example,
Council Cabs. It's a safe, reliable, cost effective and accessible transport service
for Brisbane residents who experience difficulties accessing local community
services, particularly people with disability and our senior residents.
Council Cabs operates in 180 suburbs and locations across Brisbane to
48 shopping locations. We have now seen an increase of 18 suburbs and
localities across Council Cabs in the 2014-15 financial year and continuing that
through 2015-16. Personalised Public Transport (PPT) also operates in areas
where there are no or restricted TransLink services.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 202 Yellow Cabs is the provider and the passengers pay a flat fee of $1 each way. In
2015-16, we will see the continuation of the PPT service to more than 25,000
one way passengers. I’m pleased to say to date that more than 80 per cent of the
Senior Strategy has been implemented. In 2015-16, Brisbane will continue to
deliver Growing Old and Living Dangerously (GOLD), our GOLD program for
seniors; Council Cabs, as I mentioned; Senior Celebration Donations; Christmas
parties for residents over 50; the Lord Mayor Seniors Cabaret Showcase; and the
Lord Mayor Seniors Suburban Concert Series.
The Access and Inclusion Plan launched in 2011 is tracking very well on its
implementation, with a hundred per cent of the plan's initiatives underway;
75 per cent completed; and 33 per cent of those initiatives are working towards
their completion as well. One of the key initiatives in this plan has been the
implementation of the partnership grant program to fund community
organisations, groups or services to improve their access and inclusion in
Brisbane.
In our last round, we helped 18 organisations and groups receive a total of
nearly $600,000 and we are happy to see that this budget has continued this
schedule of grants programs for 2015-16, and I thank the LORD MAYOR for
his vision and continued support for inclusion and accessibility in Brisbane. We
have worked hard in this Administration to recognise the existence of the
complexity of hoarding and squalor cases that affect some residents, their
families and neighbours across Brisbane.
In 2014-15, we implemented a new project, the Hoarding and Squalor Reduction
Initiative, and I’m happy to say that we have—the initiative exceeded the year
one target to respond to 10 complex hoarding and squalor cases and will be
continuing in this next financial year. With the Local Government arena,
Council is taking the lead role in the delivery of these collaborative responses,
as mentioned very complex hoarding cases, which means we need to do a lot of
international and best practice research and approaches.
A dedicated officer provides support to affected residents and also meets the
requirements of public health orders that may be needed to remove potential
public health risk that are impacting their properties. This year, we responded to
14 squalor and hoarding cases, and we are happy to see the continuation of this
important initiative into 2015-16. We haven’t forgotten our city's young people
whom we celebrate and support to be engaged, empowered, included and to
participate in community life. Our priorities for youth initiatives in 2015-16
have been identified through the plan.
We are continuing the Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, Visible Ink
Valley Youth Space, our youth enterprise program, Chill Out, Brisbane Youth
Week and Young People and Public Space. I’m happy to update this Chamber
that to date 94 per cent of the new initiatives and program extension of the
Youth Strategy are either in the process of being delivered or being delivered as
business as usual. This means there's only six per cent of new initiative
programs that we are yet to commence and we're looking forward to getting to
that this financial year.
I have to say too that I am very proud that we are continuing in this budget to
sponsor the Mount Gravatt Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and the
Wynnum Youth Hub as part of our core programming for our youth services.
Brisbane residents have access to a broad range of well-managed, quality
community facilities. The community facility development and maintenance
program provides more than $7.5 million to invest in facilities for current and
future residents across a range of sport and recreation and cultural activities,
while ensuring optimal use of Council's assets.
In line with Council's focus on asset management, we will be committing
funding of $1.6 million to support and partner with Brisbane's community
groups in maintaining and improving our community facilities. Well, now that
the budget has been announced, officers are confirming the schedule of works
for our Facility Improvement program. Based on our asset audits conducted over
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 203 previous years, we will do consultations with lessees and make sure that we
maintain our Council's 600 community lease sites to the best of our ability.
In terms of our skate facilities projects, specifically Paddington and Inala Skate
Park upgrades, to date, the community engagement activities have been
undertaken, with the establishment of the community reference group,
representing park users and community events in the parks, skate designers have
been commissioned to design and document proposed facility upgrades.
Bracken Ridge Skate Park, with the broad site layout and provision of shared
facilities with the aquatic centre have been undertaken.
We're getting ready to commission specialist skate designers and design and
document the proposed facility, with an engagement in our community reference
group, which will be shortly established at Bracken Ridge as well. We are
looking forward to developing a high quality, street style skate facility in
Bracken Ridge. The budget will further support the development of Brisbane
sporting infrastructure and deliver a wide scope of remediation works in
2015-16.
The budget will support the focus on improving our sport fields' irrigation
systems, the final stage of the precinct remediation at Cubberla Creek Reserve,
along with new projects that have been identified through Council's Sport Fields
Testing program in conjunction with land field remediation projects as well. In
2015-16, Council will again increase the number of sites to receive turf
remediation works to 290 hectares, up from the 250 hectares of aeration we did
this financial year.
Over the last four years, this Administration has shown an unprecedented
commitment to upgrading the Planetarium digital and optical projection systems
to provide Brisbane residents with a state of art experience. It's now considered
the most modern, versatile planetarium in the Australian/New Zealand region.
This service provides the operational funding to allow the presentation of both
digital and live shows to over 120,000 students and members of the public
annually.
These attendances have grown over 18 per cent over the last three years and
revenue from the planetarium services have also grown by over 20 per cent in
the same period. Over the last four years, the Administration has shown
unprecedented commitment to providing Brisbane residents with the state of the
art aquatic complexes. We have promised and delivered three new pools in the
last term, which is quite an achievement, given that there are only two new
pools delivered in the previous 25 years and, of course, the closure of
Toowong Pool under the previous Labor Administration.
But this term, we will be continuing to deliver the two new pools,
Bracken Ridge Ward and Parkinson Ward. Both these areas have obviously
demonstrated a great need in their growing communities that will greatly benefit
from these new facilities. As with Council's current commitment, both pools will
be fully accessible and the range of the facilities at this pool is really going to be
quite outstanding.
In closing, Madam Chair, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the
Council officers in Program 4, Your Brisbane, for their hard work and
commitment to realise our vision, that everyone in Brisbane can access relevant
community resources, services and facilities and create opportunities for them to
be active, informed and involved in the community. I recommend this program
to the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor NEWTON:
Thanks very much, Madam Chair. I rise to speak on Program 4 of the Council
budget. I wanted at the outset to say that I really appreciated the Chair's
presentation of the 2015-16 Budget in the Council Chamber this morning,
because when we had the budget information sessions, Madam Chair, we did
not have any presentation from the Chair about the 2015-16 budget, because the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 204 entire one hour for presenting on the 2015-16 Budget was spent talking about
the 2014-15 budget, Madam Chair. So it's refreshing to see the presentation
occur here this morning.
I must say, it's extraordinary to have an information session with an hour
allocation to present an item in the budget and not have one moment spent
talking or presenting on the 2015-16 Budget. So I’m pleased we've had some
time today to talk about this. Now, Madam Chair, I'm going to talk about some
of the things that perhaps Councillor ADAMS hasn't touched on in her
presentation today. But also, if I had some time, I will give some kudos for some
of the areas that I think, on this side of the Chamber, I think are meritorious of
support.
Madam Chair, I think the first thing that's important to highlight is that there are
some re-announcements in this budget, because we have seen carryovers from
last financial year to this financial year. It never happens, I know,
Councillor DICK. It's a great shock to all of us to see that there are projects
re-announced in this budget that we're seeing today.
Madam Chair, there are $12.3 million in projects that have been carried over
from last financial year to this financial year, so we will be able to see these
re-announcements around library works, community centres, hall, skate park
funding, pool refurbishments and that's what we heard in the presentation
sessions in the question time that we had available to us, Madam Chair. But in
terms of this year's budget, there have been some changes, because, of course,
the Your Brisbane program, I guess it's a bit of the heart of the Brisbane City
Council. Heart and possibly a bit of soul as well, Madam Chair.
I believe it is a very important part of the Council budget program. So I think it's
important to highlight some of those changes, because we do see—this is an
area, I guess, provides an opportunity to work behind the scenes to help grow
resilience in our communities and improve community connections and help
equip our residents in an equitable manner, Madam Chair. I think this program
should provide that kind of opportunity. So there have been some changes and I
just wanted to take people through some of the reductions or—in expenditure in
this year's budget.
We know that capital funding and expenses are down significantly by a third,
Madam Chair, from last year to this year. What was surprising was we're seeing
social inclusion, which is an area where Council is supposed to be looking after
our most vulnerable being cut by 15 per cent or down by $2 million,
Madam Chair. So that's kind of a surprise and indeed arts and culture is even
down nearly $500,000. So when you look at some of these changes, the question
you have to ask yourself is, has growth gone backwards in the City of Brisbane?
Has the need diminished in the City of Brisbane?
Are facilities there that don’t need support anymore? Are there vulnerable
people no longer living in Brisbane anymore, Madam Chair, that need our help
and support or are we just walking away from those, Madam Chair? I just want
to take you through some of those details around some of those changes. One of
the areas I found surprising is that we've had an 11 per cent reduction in
purchasing and managing Brisbane City Council's library collection. I suppose I
feel quite sentimental about our libraries.
They were really important for me when I was growing up and I know for many
people in the City of Brisbane it's where I spent time accessing source materials
and research materials. Now, we all know that there are changes in the format of
how this information is available and it really is important for Brisbane to be
keeping up and—with those changes and I think that we do find in the library
collections that there is access to a broader format than certainly when I was at
high school in the 1980s, Madam Chair. But what concerns me is that we've got
an 11 per cent drop in our acquisition of items for libraries.
I’m quite surprised to see this. To purchase and manage our library collections is
down over the last couple of years and I’m quite shocked and surprised. I know
that it's not necessarily in this day and age just about putting books on shelves,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 205 although that's what many people come into our libraries still to this day for, but
I’m just surprised to see drop in—from 2013-14 where we say $9.175 million
spent in the acquisition area dropping to $8.14 million in this year's budget.
So it's kind of a surprise and I think that Brisbane residents deserve an
explanation about this reduction in expenditure when it comes to managing the
stuff that's in our libraries. In terms of the Active and Healthy program,
Madam Chair, again, I’m surprised to see it go backwards again. Our—last
year's forward estimates show that we're supposed to have $867,000 spent in the
Active and Healthy Parks program, but we're only spending $801,000, so what's
the change? Why are we spending so much less than we had previously
anticipated?
Active and Healthy Parks program is an important way for Council to help,
support and encourage our residents to get out there and perhaps try something
new and be active, but I’m really disappointed to see that perhaps we're just
treading water when it comes to our Active and Healthy Parks program. But
there's a couple of surprises in terms of how we're supposed to be helping our
sporting clubs, Madam Chair. I guess when you look through this year's budget,
there's a couple of clear ones in the budget.
First of all, there's a grant cut to club costs and I think that for any of us who
have community leases in their area, you know, probably the biggest challenges
to our clubs are things around our water, electricity costs are big costs. That's for
sure. So, you know, this was certainly a good initiative that had our support,
Madam Chair, but why is it disappearing after this year's budget, Madam Chair?
It is a serious concern and I really hope that it isn't an intention being flagged by
the LNP to walk away from clubs in terms of supporting cutting costs.
Another interesting thing, and perhaps it's a clever way of hiding a cut, when it
comes to service 4.5.1.2, Community Facilities Management, Madam Chair, this
is the area that provides support for our community leases. Again, for many of
us who have community leases in our wards, will know that many of those
facilities are quite old.
We saw a real surge in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s where community
organisations came together and built facilities in our public spaces to help
invigorate and activate our communities and provide opportunities, particularly
for young people, but people of all ages in our communities. Some of these
buildings were built with love by volunteers in those organisations and perhaps
don’t—weren't built to today's building standards, Madam Chair. So there is a
responsibility on this Council to help support and manage these facilities,
Madam Chair.
There are some fundamental structural issues in these buildings at times that are
beyond the day-to-day maintenance that we expect our lessees to provide,
Madam Chair. So why have we seen a change? In this program we've seen three
programs combined into one; around asbestos management, compliance and
structural issues, which was a program where expenditure was $2.207 million.
But we see those three programs rolled into one and it's a drop down to $1.519.
So it's a $700,000 cut in that program.
Does that mean there's less asbestos or no asbestos work to be done in our
buildings? I don’t think so, because of the age of those buildings. There's still a
lot of work to be done. Have we dealt with the structural repairs and issues like
re-stumping and re-roofing some of these structures that require a lot of
funding? I can think of a number of buildings in my own area alone—and I’m
sure there's many across the city—that are crying out for that kind of support.
I think of one facility in my area where the roof has been leaking so badly that
it's damaged the beautiful timber floor, so the job is not just to fix the roof job
anymore. Its fix the timber floor. The roof has also leaked into the kitchen and
damaged the kitchen. So instead of being a roof repair job, Madam Chair, it's
now become a fix the floor job, fix the kitchen job and fix the roof job,
Madam Chair.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 206 It's clear that we need to be focusing on these to make sure that our facilities are
the best they can be, particularly when it comes to making sure those big ticket
items that are way beyond the capacity of our local clubs to be able to achieve
through the grants program, Madam Chair. So I think that's a real let down for
our community leases and I think that that's somewhere where we should be
certainly focusing more and definitely not less, Madam Chair. It's interesting.
We heard also about the Skate Park program. I seem to recall two new skate
parks were promised this term.
Am I wrong in recalling the two new skate parks promised this term? So—well,
there's not—I don’t think there are two new skate parks, Councillor DICK. The
only new skate park I’m aware of was the Bracken Ridge one that's occurring
and the refurbishment of one in your area, which is Councillor DICK, and the
refurbishment of the one at Paddington, Madam Chair. So I’m—anyway, I’m
just—maybe I’m recalling this incorrectly, but it's taken a while to get these—to
get a new skate park and I—
Chairman:
Councillor NEWTON, your time has expired.
Councillor NEWTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor WINES.
Councillor WINES:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise in support of Program 4, Your Brisbane,
which is the program that does all of the nice things in our communities that
make them really wonderful places to live. In particular, I just want to begin by
recognising that this is the longest list of centrally funded and budgeted festivals
that has ever been presented in a city budget, presenting a centralised Council
support by the LORD MAYOR and this Council. I can say now that from this
year, there is a festival in every ward, Councillor ADAMS, because of course
Wishart Ward now has one, so well done. Of course, when I began in this place,
Enoggera Ward had zero, but now centrally funded we have, with the addition
of the Halloween in Blackwood Street, we have four.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WINES:
Four. Yes. So all worthy events that bring in thousands of people to their
respective suburbs. All well enjoyed by the community and I know that they—
those organisations who receive those grants use them to improve and make
their projects—their events much more interesting and better and make them
more worthwhile. So—and I know that it is highly valued by them. So I just
wanted to recognise that early. It also has a list of the multicultural festivals,
which again is the longest list ever in a budget presented to this city as well.
It is a symbol of our commitment to building an inclusive city where different
cultures are celebrated, where people are told you’re allowed to be who you are
and be proud of who you are and celebrate the things that are unique to you and
your culture. So those are listed there. For example, Hanukah in the City is
always a great fun event and I always make an effort to try and get down there.
Of course, everyone knows and enjoys Paniyiri. We also—but I also want to
take a moment to talk about—we talk about inclusion.
When you talk about the libraries, there's a great focus in our libraries on not
only being places where we store and read books, but places where the
community will come together to do a whole range of things. I was at a meeting
at the Grange Library this week, where the meeting had to be ended, because the
Kedron Arts Association demanded the room where they had their space to have
their community group meeting and discuss the future of their group.
So as you see, not only are they places to keep books, but they're places where
key community groups come to meet and share ideas and to enjoy each other's
company. But also we talking about inclusion in that sense, but we also talk
about people coming to libraries, but libraries also going to people, because the
mobile library service is also maintained in this budget and it provides a flexible
service for people of all abilities and it goes to eight locations, being Bellbowrie,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 207 Forest Lake, Aspley, Brighton, Carole Park, Mt Crosby, The Gap and
Manly West.
It has a full range of materials and arrives on either a weekly or fortnightly basis
as scheduled throughout the year and can also go to a number of festivals as
required. You’re able to use that library, if you notify them in advance, to collect
and return specific books, because we in the city have a, what is called a, one
collection policy, where an entire collection of books in the city can be accessed
by any time through the internal transfer service, which is maintained and
available through the mobile library service as well as the normal libraries.
I also am looking forward to the library upgrades named at Holland Park, Carina
and Nundah and Corinda and also there's a number of others still to come, but I
also noticed—Councillor FLESSER and I were at the Delstar last year and I did
note that Nundah was due a library upgrade and I’m sure that when it occurs, it's
going to be—well, it's going to be better than the ones we've already done.
Because the one thing that I always note and admire in our library upgrades
program is that each library we do is incrementally better than the one before it.
I think that's an excellent attitude to have and I think it's a great way to be. So I
look—I very much look forward to seeing what is put forward in the
Nundah Library. I think it's going to be excellent. There's going to be some
issues, I think, around the stairs internally, but—for access inclusion issues, but
broadly speaking, it's in a great location and I think upgrade is going to be great
as well.
The Carina Library also will be commencing this year and there will be revised
floor plans, additions to community meeting rooms, the new children's area,
furnish and joinery, carpeting and paint, new paint, which always—the
children's areas are always really quite popular and I noticed in the Grange,
when that would have occurred, they had the circus theme. At Mitchelton, we
have a cafe theme and the kids really do get into the spirit of those, so I’m
looking forward to seeing what the theming is for the future on libraries and the
ones to come at Carina, Holland Park, Nundah and the others.
We also see an improvement to the self-checkout service, which is being rolled
out mainly across the larger libraries, but also the other thing is—about these is
it allows our librarians to be able to provide a better personal service to those
people who need to be in the libraries and it also gets the checkout moving more
quickly, because a person can do it in their own time, separate and it—
separately from a staff member and it releases the staff member to be able to do
their job as librarians and help assist the people out on the floor.
In Mitchelton, Mitchelton Library is one of a number of libraries that offer the
home library service. They have a special room out the back of the library where
essentially they collate and collect the books that they will then deliver to people
in the home library—in their homes from our libraries I should say. So it is
again a demonstration of how we are working to create an inclusive city, a city
for all people because not everybody can leave their homes. Some people are
housebound and just because they have those mobility problems, doesn't mean
they're not allowed or shouldn't be able to access our library services.
So between Wynnum, Chermside, Mitchelton, Banyo, Holland Park,
Indooroopilly, Inala, Bracken Ridge and Coopers Plains, a grid spread across the
city, the home library service is available from those locations to provide an
access to our service for all the people who cannot leave their homes for health
or usually for health reasons.
Again in the libraries we continue to see the Writers in Residence program
continue, an extremely popular program inside here that has international and
local authors come and address often in Brisbane Square; sometimes depending
on popularity, in City Hall, but also in the suburban libraries, address the
residents of Brisbane to talk about their experiences as authors, their ideas for
stories but often one of the more fun parts is when they take a number of
questions from the audience to talk about what they, the audience want to hear
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 208 about. So I know that they're very popular and always well attended when I do
go along to see those.
The program also includes a whole range of the preservation of the city's
historical records, is also included and continued on here which many of us got a
bit of a kick out of seeing the very first minute book of the Council meeting in
Committee some months ago, but those items and many others will continue to
be maintained through our library services. The wonderful thing about
Your Brisbane is that so much can be said about this program and about how
particularly through our libraries which I spent much of this discussing, how
they make our city a better place where the experience of life here in Brisbane is
improved through the works of this Council. I strongly support this program and
encourage all Councillors to support it today.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on Program 4 Your Brisbane and
welcome to the carryover capital of the 2015-16 Budget. Program 1? I thought
there's $12.3 million in Your Brisbane, are you saying Councillor FLESSER—I
win, I thought so. I mean not all Chairmen fessed up to what they're carrying
over and to her credit Councillor ADAMS did. There's a lot else she didn't want
to say but this is the carryover capital of the Brisbane City Council budget. I
don't agree with Councillor WINES. I would say this is the program that used to
do nice things because we used to do a lot of good things.
I'm sure Councillor KNAPP sitting back there and I'm sure she's thinking in her
mind I could have done it differently if I was still doing it. Krista is trying hard
but she's not quite there because there's no way in a million years
Councillor KNAPP would allow a $12.3 million underspend on the nice things
that we do in this city. Now I know that Councillor KNAPP would have wanted
to see every cent spent as much as possible. She would have wanted to see it go
to all of the groups particularly the multicultural and Indigenous groups that she
used to care about.
Madam Chairman, it's just sad to see the way Councillor ADAMS cannot
manage efficiently and carefully a Council budget program about the nice things
we do in the city, not the hard things by the way, the nice things that we do in
the city. Madam Chairman, I'm quite disappointed with so many aspects of this
program and particularly the leadership of this program by Councillor ADAMS.
Now I too like Councillor NEWTON was not particularly impressed about
Councillor ADAMS's failure to address the actual budget in her budget
presentation.
I though however on three occasions at 10 minutes to the hour, five minutes to
the hour and two minutes to the hour mentioned to Councillor ADAMS that she
had not actually spoken about anything in the 2015-16 budget.
Councillor ADAMS warned me, told me I'd be kicked out, I moved dissent. She
said I couldn't move dissent. There was a whole discussion about that,
Madam Chairman.
Councillor KING:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order.
Yes, Councillor KING?
Councillor KING:
This has got nothing to do with the budget. This is just a vicious attack on a
Chairperson.
Chairman:
Thank you, yes. Thank you, Councillor KING.
To the actual budget.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I'll take your point, Madam Chairman, and move on.
Chairman:
Thanks Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 209 Chairman:
Councillor KING!
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Come on, give us your best. Now there are a few items I want to talk about.
Now just about the carryovers I particularly want to mention one item in here
and that is the LORD MAYOR's signature program, his major, every year in the
budget he mentions it, it's so important and that's the Access and
Inclusion program. Now there is a $1.536 million rollover in the Access and
Inclusion program. Now by any means that is not good enough. I don't know if
it's a resourcing issue internally. I don't know if it's a people issue; I don't know
if it's a project management issue because you're not going to get any answers
from Councillor ADAMS.
Madam Chairman, it's not good enough that we are underspending and having to
roll that funding over. This is what happens year after year with
Councillor ADAMS. It happens budget review after budget review. In my book
that is not good enough. I'm also disappointed to note that there are what appear
to be some cuts to some important program areas. I'm just thinking perhaps in
the budget debate she lost out with Councillor COOPER getting extra money for
lighting and a few extra things, but Councillor ADAMS has got less of her
programs in our parks and less for the libraries. That really troubles me that she
seems to have been done over in the budget process.
What I particularly want to mention though is a couple of things that is the
Corinda Library. I note that the Corinda Library was one of my election
commitments. I note that at the last minute, the last year in the four year cycle
they finally announced that the Corinda Library project will be funded this year,
well this year and next year, which is interesting in itself because I guess she's
setting the bar low. She can't spend all the money in one year; she'll spend it
over two. So let's hope there are no rollovers because it's already going to take
two years to upgrade.
The issue however though is the scope of the project. I did ask
Councillor ADAMS to give me a total amount for the Corinda Library which
she was unable to do, even though the budget before us today we are being
asked to approve this year's budget and forward estimates for the next three
years, Councillor ADAMS has no idea what's in the forward estimates. I mean
these figures she's just plucked out of the air and she's plonked them down in the
budget. We're all supposed to approve it today on the basis that
Councillor ADAMS has no idea what's in the future budget allocation.
She knows that Corinda Library is going to be funded over two years and she
knows this year it will be $585,000 but she's got no idea about how it's going to
be funded next year. The reason she said was the scope of the project hadn't
been finalised. Madam Chairman, that's good. She did rattle off quite a few
things so it did seem to me she had a pretty good idea of the scope and I'll
mention just some of those things. There was going to be some new self-service
desks, a smaller service desk, Wi-Fi, an upgrade to the toilets, an internal
reconfiguration, some mobile shelving and maybe some new furniture.
So that's the scope of the works that have been announced by
Councillor ADAMS. I want to put on the record today that that does not go far
enough. In 2000 and—when was the election—2012—I called for $3 million to
be invested into this library. What is needed at Corinda is an extension to the
rear of the library into the existing Council car-park. Now, this is a heritage
listed School of the Arts building but this Council undertakes significant
heritage projects on a daily basis and we're standing in one.
So if Councillor ADAMS wants to stand up and say we can't touch that building
because its heritage listed, Councillor ADAMS you're standing in a place that
disproves that comment without any problem whatsoever. It is critical that we
see an extension to what is a very small space. Corinda Library is much loved
by my community and I know that Councillor BOURKE last year did not
support a petition to extend the opening hours of the library even though he has
some Corinda residents. That disappoints me because I think the library is an
excellent space as are the other libraries in my ward.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 210 I want to see a bigger space. I would like to see a dedicated function room so
that we can have events at Corinda Library that cannot be held there now
because there is literally no space. If we have to have an event in that library
you've got to move everything out of the way and in the middle of the main hall;
basically you take over. If you're trying to look for a book or read it's very
difficult if there's an event on in there. I have seen in other libraries some very
good new libraries and some extension and I am confident that Council can
deliver an improvement project and an upgrade that provides the additional
space that is desperately needed at Corinda, and a small extension to the rear of
the building is critical.
Also critical, an upgrade to the toilets and the opening hours of the toilets need
to be independent of the opening hours of the library. One of the reasons people
want the library open longer is those are the only public toilets up in the Corinda
precinct. If you're an elderly person shopping there and yes, it's fair, there are
less now because they cancelled the 101 and the 102 bus service so they can't
get to Corinda anymore. Perhaps this is part of a cunning plan between the
Public Transport Chair and Councillor ADAMS but they do still come up to
Corinda. I think what people really want is a facility that's open every day and
they want a facility that has public toilets they can access.
These are critical projects and I'm going to take Councillor ADAMS at her word
the scope's not finalised, Madam Chairman. She said it on the public record so
there's room for improvement. I'll certainly be writing to her. I've already done
some consultation with the Corinda residents; they've provided me with
excellent suggestions about what they want in Corinda Library. I'll be memoing
Councillor ADAMS and our head librarian I can see up in the gallery, to let
them know the views of our community. Because like every other new and
improved library in this city, the local Councillor has had some input.
I'm certainly presuming that that will be the same process with me. Now,
Madam Chairman, I look forward to seeing this project completed. As there is
no allocated funding for next year I'll be pushing for greater funding in the
second half of the year when we know what the scope to the project is. So I
thank Councillor ADAMS for being so vague in the presentation, it really was
quite useful.
However there is one last Item I would like to mention and that is
Councillor ADAMS's lack of knowledge about the budget itself. In particular
I'm referring to Item 4.5.2.1 which is largely all the improvements—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON your time has expired.
Further debate?
Councillor McKENZIE.
Councillor McKENZIE:
Thanks, Madam Chairman. First of all I'm pleased to speak in support of budget
Expenditures and Projects contained in Program 4 of this Administration. I'm
pleased to see the previous speaker speaking so highly of Councillor KNAPP
and her administration of the portfolio. I will agree with that and I can tell you
Councillor ADAMS is continuing on in exactly the same vein doing a
marvellous job. The previous Councillor was concentrating mainly on libraries
but I can tell you this is a very broad ranging portfolio. It covers a diverse and
varied range of activities. I'd like to speak on a few selected areas if I could.
Brisbane is a city that's come of age since we've been a city backwater. I
remember back in the '70s when it wasn't a very nice place to live but now it's
wonderful—under Clem yes. It's truly a New World City. Now it comfortably
accommodates a thriving arts environment, and active and well-funded sporting
and recreational sector, with strong recognition of social and ethnic inclusion;
$3.8 million allocated out of the budget for cultural and ethnic festivals
illustrates the diverse range of interests and communities that thrive in our city.
This year there is a record total of 128 events supported by Council consisting of
five signature festivals, 72 suburban community festivals and events,
40 multicultural festivals and 11 creative and cultural organisations funded, in
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 211 part, by this Council. The result of this is a city which offers the residents a
broad range of entertainment in both recreational and intellectual challenging
activities throughout the year. The Council Museum of Brisbane is an important
repository for the history of Brisbane and an essential learning facility for
residents to appreciate how we reached our stage of development.
Expenditure of $3.6 million in the coming year is indicative of how vital this is
to our residents who are telling us they are eager to—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor McKENZIE:
—preserve our important social activities, arts, craft and design. The music is
free for all who visit our City Hall. Performing arts are actively supported in this
budget with expenditure on the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse being $4.5 million
returning a revenue of $600,000. Perhaps the most recognisable and loved
facility as has been mentioned before, are our network of 33 City Council
libraries plus a mobile library throughout our city and suburbs. With a proposed
$25 million being spent and a revenue of $665,000 on our libraries, they are
constantly being improved either through building and infrastructure or through
electronic updating, updating the latest in state of the art technology through
checkout facilities.
The LORD MAYOR has continued funding to the Writers in Residence
program which provides library users with the opportunity to meet authors and
experience their personal commitment of their works and the process of writing
in the comfort of your own local library; $112,000 spent on this program
provides an appreciation of literature and exposes residents to an aspect of the
arts which is otherwise very difficult to come by. I'd recommend attending one
of these meetings with an author to see what they go through in writing their
books.
The expanded use of Wi-Fi in the library precincts and other free use of
computers with faster internet connection, continues to be a popular social and
educational facility. Free Wi-Fi is being rolled out into more public spaces and
places which is in line with Brisbane's New World City identity. Of course the
libraries are more than just the repository of knowledge and entertainment. They
represent a safe neutral area where residents and especially our new migrants,
can inform themselves about the new country which they have adopted.
Translation of important communications into languages other than English is in
addition a capacity of the library service.
Our libraries provide a program for those unable physically to visit the library.
There is a home library service and a postage service for the visually impaired.
I'd like to thank Councillor ADAMS and the Council staff for the wonderful
refit of the Holland Park Library which is currently underway and will be
completed this year. Our residents are very much looking forward to the
improved facilities in that library.
Brisbane subtropical climate lends itself to outdoor sports and leisure activities
and Council is responsible for providing much of the outdoor infrastructure
which is required even through these expanded activities. The budget recognises
the importance of community health and wellbeing and is contributing to this
through Active and Healthy Parks program and the LORD MAYOR's grant to
Cut Club Costs. Community based sports and recreational clubs benefit from
these grants by keeping the costs low to participating families. Community
groups and Council have a long-term vested interest in fully utilising these
grants and keeping them well maintained. They are community owned and when
well-maintained they will be enjoyed for future generations.
Other areas which I wish to touch on are community halls and sporting
complexes including pools. Community halls are an important part of the fabric
of our neighbourhood. Many of them have been utilised for generations and are
still in demand. It is proposed that $3.6 million be spent on these halls in the
budget and some $600,000 will be spent on maintenance and rehabilitation. The
importance of these halls cannot be underestimated. For as well as being a link
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 212 to the past, they represent important community infrastructure usually now
located on convenient and very expensive real estate, which can be rented out to
community groups at reasonable costs.
Expenditure on these halls is proposed to be $4.2 million under which, under
this budget with a revenue of $383,000. As with community halls, the complex
of Council swimming pools which goes back over 50 years and which continues
to provide a full and essential public facility. I think I recall the Langlands Park
Pool was one of the first City Hall pools, one which I swam in for many years.
Council will continue to deliver two new fully accessible pools in
Bracken Ridge and Parkinson Wards at a cost of $9 million, in addition to
continued operating all the established pools. Income from these pools is
proposed to be $638,000 with future pool refurbishment at $1.1 million.
In conclusion I'm pleased to support this far-sighted inclusive budget program.
This Council has a great responsibility in Brisbane and as Brisbane is frequently
the focal point of Queensland with the largest population grouping. Program 4
Your Brisbane epitomises the coming together of community groups and
community funding for all sectors of our city.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, thanks, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak on Program 4, on all areas of
Program 4. Madam Chair, this I believe and I've heard other Councillors speak
about this program, is one of the key programs for our city because it's actually
where we deliver for our residents and where we seek to build the social capital
of our city. With my background in social work I believe that what we can
achieve through this program is exceptional and that we can be a leader in terms
of a city in Australia. So I do welcome that the Hoarding and Squalor Reduction
initiative is continuing and I hope in years to come that it will become part of
the core business of Council as one way of dealing with that issue for our city.
I do note, Madam Chair, with regards to this program that there have been some
areas of cuts between 2014-15 and this year. In particular the budget for thriving
arts and culture has been cut and community sport and recreation has been cut.
Included in those cuts are the expenses for the Museum of Brisbane. Another cut
into the future is for library enhancements. So we'll go from $1 million down to
$483,000 by 2018-19. Madam Chair, just in relation to what
Councillor ADAMS was saying I was interested to hear her talk about the
Toowong pool being closed by Labor. Madam Chair, it surprises me that
Councillor MATIC is sitting next to Councillor ADAMS and in 10 years has
failed to do anything to resolve this obviously huge problem for the LNP.
The LNP have done—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Madam Chair, they obviously see it as a joke.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Obviously, Madam Chair, they say they have a history with building and
building new pools. Well if there's such a problem with the closure of the
Toowong pool then why hasn't the LNP replaced it? Madam Chair, I'll just put
that in their laps fairly and squarely. They remind us how they've got the ideas
and they're in power, let's see what you're delivering. It's interesting,
Madam Chair, that the area that's really of significance in terms of social change
in this particular budget, that is the ability to build communities—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 213 Councillor GRIFFITHS:
—or community capacity building has actually been reduced. That's actually the
area of our workers, the area of this program that improves our city. It builds the
links between Council and the community. It's about innovation. It's a vital area
for developing our city, be it with the multicultural community, with young
people, with any number of groups that we want to include in our city. So that
was sad that we're actually seeing a drop in expenditure in that particular area.
The other area I was a bit concerned about and I had some issues with and I'll
leave these as I suppose statements that potentially the Chairperson might like to
answer. But in relation to community sport and recreation facilities we have
600 community lease facilities. How many people, how many groups do we still
have on our waiting list for community facilities? It would be interesting for this
Chamber to know that. How many of those facilities are still not up to scratch?
How many of those facilities are we still waiting to meet the target in terms of
bringing them to a reasonable level of facility?
It has been 10 years that the LNP have been in power and I wonder why this
hasn't been achieved as of yet. At some stage you've got to stop blaming other
levels of government or in fact the Opposition. Madam Chair, some areas such
as community hall upgrades, sports precinct planning and development, sports
field and hard court rehabilitation; some of these areas the Chairperson wasn't
able to tell us where future work was going to be done. The Chair did not know
but the Chair did advise us it was based on need.
My understanding of the budget process is that budget bids are put up by the
departments based on need. Surely, in terms of developing a budget we know as
a Council what our priorities for the city are. So basically—yes.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Like parks, like roads, surely then the message here is, everyone in this
Chamber should get their bids into Councillor ADAMS so that she can actually
help determine the needs for those particular areas. It should have and I believe
it should have been done and in the past I know Councillor KNAPP was able to
give us that information. I do also have a concern about community facilities
management. This is really about clubs structural repairs and maintenance. This
year in this coming budget we're spending $1.5 million but by 2018-19 we're
dropping it down to $1.1 million. Why?
Is all the maintenance going to be done? Are we having a spend up this year?
What is the issue? In terms of community facility management, Madam Chair,
on page 97, it's interesting that the expense for this area is up and revenue is also
up. I was contacted by a local group in my area who received this bill from our
community services management team and actually they haven't received it they
tell me for 10 years, asking them to pay up. So obviously we've got our fingers
in the pie there, looking to get as much revenue out of our community facilities
as possible.
Madam Chair, I hope that Council's about actually and this area of Council is
about making it better for our communities and about assisting them, not just
being seen as the money collectors for Council. Similarly, Madam Chair,
expenses are down for our community halls but revenue has gone up.
Madam Chair, community halls are a feature of our city that should be
affordable for the community. I really believe, Madam Chair, that this, as I said
before, this is a vital area of our budget and it does a lot of good work across the
city. I do believe and it's a philosophical belief, that we should be targeting those
most in need in our communities.
So to have some component of justice or social justice to what we're doing, I
think should be built into this program as was in the past, so if we do have areas
of more need in the community we try and service those needs. I bring an
example a group of people at Acacia Ridge, families on lower income. There are
a higher proportion of Aboriginal families and a much higher proportion of
refugee families. Now we don't have a library service down there and I did
notice the Councillor talk about where the mobile library service is. But it's
certainly one community that would benefit from having access to a mobile
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 214 library service that would assist the very groups that we purport that to want to
work with.
Just in relation to my ward, Madam Chair, I was pleased to hear that there's a
90 per cent satisfaction rate with the renovations to Coopers Plains Library, that
attendance is up and I'm happy to congratulate the Administration on the work
they did for Coopers Plains Library and also that lending is up. This year to
reinforce the work that we did in terms of putting the playground in, there will
be new shade cover for that playground and I'll also look at doing footpath
connections to the local park so that we further enhance that great facility that is
for Coopers Plains. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor MARX.
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Chair, yes, and I rise to speak on Program 4 Your Brisbane.
Councillor WINES is quite correct; it is the portfolio that delivers things for the
residents of Brisbane. I often wonder when I'm standing here or sitting here in
this place thinking, am I in the same meeting as everybody else? Am I reading
the same book as everybody else because sometimes it just doesn't seem to make
sense? I do want to mention that apparently the top librarian Council officer is
here in the gallery so I googled Mrs Google to make sure I was quoting correctly
from Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist who always said, “please sir, I want
some more.”
Now that reminds me on the other side except for one marked difference, they
never say please. They just say, ‘just give me more’ all the time. Now I don't
know about you but I run my own household budget. There's a money—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor MARX:
—and there's—you know it's interesting—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MARX:
I pride myself on never interjecting when someone else is speaking because
that's what I was taught by my mother. When someone else is speaking you sit
there and listen and that's just the reality but anyway. I will keep moving on.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MARX:
So I just want to say there is a lot in this budget and if we all go to page 81 and
82 of the 2015-16 Budget book which we should all have here by now, it quite
clearly states 112 festivals, 112. Now my calculator or my iPhone because once
again I don't rely on my brain, says 4.3 festivals per ward. I don't know. I think
that's fairly good. The other thing that was mentioned by another Councillor,
600 community leased facilities within Brisbane. Can I say don't get me started
on community leased facilities in the Karawatha Ward.
I inherited that ward from a Labor Councillor who had been there 16 years,
16 years. Now I'd like someone to tell me how many community leased facilities
did she leave me? Anyway—zero; nothing, none, nada, so there you go so don't
talk to me about fairness. Anyway the other thing in this budget is the
LORD MAYOR's Suburban Initiative Fund. We all have access to the
LORD MAYOR's—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor MARX:
—Suburban Initiative Fund.
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 215 Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON if you want to have a conversation, go outside.
Councillor MARX:
How many other elected representatives can turn there and say to their
community I have $50,000 that I can give out to whomever I want, whenever I
want, however I want. It's just really—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MARX:
—it is such a great facility for us to have.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor ABRAHAMS!
Councillor MARX:
I'm obviously doing something right, Madam Chair, to get so many interjections
for the first time. So the other thing I want to keep going on about is back to the
festivals, Karawatha Family Fun Day, thank you very much to
Councillor ADAMS for once again funding that and Sunnybank Hills State
School fete again, funding for that. I know they're particularly keen to get the
LORD MAYOR out there to show them what that funding goes towards and
how much they appreciate it. Hopefully Councillor ADAMS can make it as
well.
I just want to say thank you to all the Council officers. I know they worked very
hard in this particular program. It is one of the fun programs and they do work
very hard on it. Thank you very much.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thanks, Madam Chair. Look I have to rise to follow on from Councillor MARX
to correct a few things from what she said and also talk about Program 4 which
is Your Brisbane. As Councillor WINES said it is the nice, where the nice things
are or where we do nice things. Well I only wish we did nice things instead of
just talking about them we actually delivered on the nice things. I can appreciate
you don't rely on your brain Councillor MARX but when you go through and
look at how many facilities that have been delivered under your term that's zero.
So you've delivered nothing as well. She's—okay—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor DICK:
She's only had three years but on her own admission today she's delivered
nothing okay? How many other levels of government have discretionary funds?
Heaps. So if you've got Google up and not relying on your brain, Google other
Queensland councils and you'll see plenty have a discretionary fund so I'm not
sure. While I'm on that this was the Suburban Initiative Fund which the LNP
opposed and now is somehow being rebadged but that's nothing surprising from
what we see from the LNP, completely rewriting and reinventing now history.
What I'd like to do is talk about some of the cutbacks and some of the programs.
One of the areas we haven't spoken about today was the
Multicultural Performing Arts Centre. Now, this is Karawatha part two, because
we're seeing this announced time and time again. We saw it in the budget speech
last year and then quietly, quietly in the third budget review we saw $3.4 million
in capital under 4.5.2.1 in the third budget review. We've seen this project being
yet again delayed time and time again. So I don't want any lectures from the
LNP about delivering community facilities. I don't want any lectures about
closures or openings.
What Councillor ADAMS has never admitted and apologised to the people of
Inala when she shut down the customer service office. That was leaked in the
last minute of one budget years ago. They didn't admit that until she was
exposed. Remember all that? Then she says well tell that to the residents who
had to suffer at the hands of Councillor ADAMS's cutbacks. But we know that
when it comes to cuts, this is an area where the LNP has always outdone
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 216 themselves. We've seen record carryovers from last year to this year either
through poor project delivery management or just the fact that they don't know
what they're doing in this portfolio.
I speak from experience when we talk about projects in my own ward where the
LNP like to go out and get publicity surrounding these projects, namely two
major projects, the upgrade of the Inala skate park. Now I have lost count of the
amount of times I have spoken about this project time and time again. I calculate
it's around five years for when I put this on the agenda for this Council. Year
after year, and I only met with Council officers two weeks ago about this and we
were joking about the fact that how long this project has taken.
Initially all I wanted was a drainage problem fixed. I had to petition the Council
to get that. I was then told the money would finally be allocated years after that
was allocated. Then promised year after year that we'll roll that money into an
upgrade. Last—
Chairman:
Councillor DICK this program is not about drainage.
Councillor DICK:
Drainage of the skate bowl, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Sorry?
Councillor DICK:
Drainage of the skate bowl.
Chairman:
Okay.
Councillor DICK:
It was a maintenance issue and I'll return to the service—
Chairman:
Yes, it's still not this program.
Councillor DICK:
I'm sorry?
Chairman:
It's not this program.
Councillor DICK:
It is, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
No, maintenance on a skate bowl, I
Councillor McLACHLAN's area, Program 1.
Councillor DICK:
Well this is about the Inala skate project.
Chairman:
I have said the maintenance of drainage at a skate bowl is not part of Program 4.
Councillor DICK:
Madam Chair, I correct you. Part of this project is—
Chairman:
No, you don't.
Councillor DICK:
Well I bring to the Chamber's attention that part of the upgrade is to improve the
Inala skate bowl which is to fix the drainage problems.
Chairman:
Right.
think,
would
be
part
of
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Continue.
Councillor DICK:
$747,000 is allocated for the two projects, one which is a brand new skate bowl
for Bracken Ridge and the other is for an upgrade including improvement for
maintenance and drainage works. So I move on. From that period where I
lobbied the Council and got that funding we've seen year after year, delay after
delay. Now we were promised that this would be finished this financial year. I
met with the project officers. I was told and interestingly the latest upgrade after
I requested it, report, showed that Council was at fault. Council is at fault
because we didn't interpret the design that the community wanted.
That's what Council officers admitted to me, that they said we botched it and we
got it wrong. They said please don't raise this publicly but what I need to—I
won't name the officers who, of course I said I wouldn't, I'd protect them
because I know sometimes they need protecting and they're not part of the
political debate. However what I was concerned about is that we have misled the
community as a Council and as the Administration they have said one thing and
now we're seeing money allocated in this. I can set my watch by this. The
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 217 official opening for the Inala skate bowl will be held in the first week of March.
What's the bet? What's the bet?
Just like the Richlands State Emergency Services (SES) depot will be held in the
second week in March. What's the bet? That will be right on track. Now the
Richlands SES depot has been a long time coming. That's a project that I have
supported but has been utterly a failure under this Chairmanship and also the
LNP Council. Those SES volunteers have had to be working elsewhere under
difficult circumstances. They were promised at the old Richlands State School
site that that would be developed and it's still not open. Well I say that's not
good enough.
We need to do better when it comes to delivering on that project. I know that the
funding for that is in Program 5 but it's important when it comes to the
comparison on delivering projects and in delivering how this is the nice to have
or the nice things. Well we talk about them but we don't actually deliver on
them. So that's my concern regarding project delivery. Also the cuts and the big
area that Labor Councillors are most upset about is of course the social
inclusion. Now we hear lecture after lecture about the LNP and we're seeing this
program cut to vulnerable residents of around $2 million. So last year's budget—
Councillor ADAMS:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor DICK.
Yes, Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Will Councillor DICK take a question?
Councillor DICK:
Of course, Madam Chair.
Councillor ADAMS:
Can you show me where social inclusion has been cut $2 million? I cannot see it
in this budget. He has said it three times now. I would like to see what page and
where.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor DICK:
Well, Madam Chair, last year's budget had $13.83 million for a program
compared to $11.733 million in this budget.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Point of order, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Will Councillor DICK take a question?
Councillor DICK:
Of course.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't hear that. Could you repeat that for me please?
Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Look, the reason I know—
Chairman:
You should pay attention Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor DICK:
I'll be brief, Madam Chair. I'll be brief. I will be brief because that cut represents
a 15 per cent reduction. While we're on it, arts and culture is down from
$18.764 million to $18.306 million in the budget documents, in the budget
papers, that is less than we were spending last year which equals a cut, a cut in
anyone's language. Now Councillor ADAMS will spin it and say that they're
saving, they're all huddling around her now trying to help her out so in the
summary she'll know what to say because this wasn't in the prepared speech.
This wasn't in the lines from the LORD MAYOR's office so she's going to have
to now try and think on her feet—
Chairman:
Just get on with it Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Thank you, Madam Chair. She asked the question, Madam Chair, she asked the
question but I'm always happy to help the LNP out. So we know when it looks
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 218 to—also library collections—certainly she's not going to argue that we're not
seeing cuts here because the spending and the purchase and management of
library collections is down by 11 per cent over the last two years. So less being
spent in this vital area of service delivery for ratepayers, not just in my ward but
right across the city. So we know that $9.17 million was spent in 2014 and in the
2015-16 Budget it's dropped to $8.184 million. Now that's an 11 per cent drop in
buying books whether in e-book format or paper copy.
So, Madam Chair, all of this says to me is it's all very well wanting the LNP to
get up and talk about the nice to haves or the nice things, I only wish that
Council would do the nice things that they say they want to do.
Chairman:
Further debate?
I think probably 12.30pm is the lunch break so I think probably we—okay.
Councillor HOWARD.
Councillor HOWARD:
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chairman, because I really am delighted to rise
to support Program 4. I want you and the Chamber to know that this
Administration's commitment to the arts goes right to the top. I thank
Councillor ADAMS and the LORD MAYOR for continuing to invest in our
program outcomes in Item 4.1 in this year's budget. This Administration
celebrates our culture, our creativity and all that makes us Australian and
Queenslanders. We could not be prouder to reiterate as it says on page 80 that
we will be a leader, partner, and advocate working with a range of businesses
within the cultural and creative sectors to develop our creative economy and to
further Brisbane's cultural profile.
Our aim is to encourage excellence in and access to all areas of the arts in
Brisbane and to encourage all residents to celebrate our culture and creativity. In
order to realise this we must strive for excellence in training, excellence in
artistic endeavour, and excellence in promotion and presentation of artist's work.
That's primarily where we as an organisation come in, Madam Chairman, as the
partner and promoter of an artist's work through our various festivals, our
buildings, museums and other spaces. Perhaps the most iconic events where we
promote and partner are through our signature city festivals outlined in 4.1.1.1.
They offer world class entertainment and high profile opportunities for
Brisbane's creative workforce. The Brisbane Festival, Queensland Music
Festival, Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, the Valley Fiesta and
Brisbane Writer's Festival as our signature festivals are the heavy lifters of our
sponsorship spend. These iconic events help us identify Brisbane as a vibrant
and creative place. They will utilise and activate public spaces such as the
Powerhouse in Central Ward and at the city's other outstanding arts precincts.
These festivals bring the best of the world to Brisbane. As well as create
opportunities for local talent to stand tall alongside of them. Again as 4.1.1.1
indicates these events are major economic contributors to the local Central Ward
and wider community through employment of artists, art workers, technicians,
engineers and hundreds of local small and medium businesses. Central Ward
residents know what a multiplier effect these festivals have on our local
Central Ward economy. If you work in hospitality, retail, accommodation, you
know that these festivals in particular get more people spending in our
Central Ward precincts so I am delighted that our investment in these big
productions continues.
It's not just about the big events though, Madam Chairman. Here on this side of
the Chamber we work consistently to broaden the reach of arts and culture in
Brisbane through audience and market development, and a strong focus on the
arts across our city and our suburbs. Just as I've said about footpaths and streets,
everyone, artists and audiences in this instance want to participate in our suburbs
as well. Culture and arts are for everyone not just the lucky few. You would
struggle to find a community that is not captured by the depth you see on pages
81 and 82 of the budget book, as part of our suburban community festivals and
our multicultural festivals investment.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 219 Just like the Administration Councillors, and I imagine a couple of those
opposite, I get to as many of these festivals in my area as I can because I know
they want our support. Whether it be supporting the organisers like
Alessandro Sorbello of Italian Week in New Farm Park, Murray Sutherland and
his hard working gang at next weekend's Teneriffe Festival, or Jonny Ruddy
over at The End of the Line or the fantastic talent of Ellen Reed at the
Brisbane Cabaret Festival and of course Monica Fusion at Pride. I support them
all because I know how hard they work to deliver suburban events to make all
our wards shine.
We on this side of the Chamber recognise that for the arts to thrive the
environment in which they operate needs to provide the right type of support.
This means the right structures and targeted support. So I'm very happy to see
that there is 72 suburban community festivals and 40 multicultural festivals that
will be provided with assistance this year. All of the projects and programs in
program outcome 4.1 support our economic encouragement imperative and I am
delighted that Councillor ADAMS and her various teams have once again
helped us to deliver for this city.
Chairman:
Councillor MURPHY.
ADJOURNMENT:
695/2014-15
At that time, 12.30pm, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Ryan MURPHY, seconded by Councillor
Kim MARX, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 60 minutes , to commence only when all Councillors had
vacated the Chamber and the doors have been locked.
Council stood adjourned at 12.30pm.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Further debate on Program 4?
Councillor KING.
Councillor KING:
Thank you, Madam Chair; I rise to speak in support of Program 4, Your
Brisbane. Before I start, I would just like to say I have not heard one thing
positive from the other side of the Chamber, and Councillor MARX is quite
correct; I was actually brought up with manners as well, and to say thank you
for what you have received in the budget. All I have heard from the other side of
the Chamber is vicious personal attacks on the Chairman,
Councillor Krista ADAMS, which is uncalled for.
I have seen the festivals that the other side of the Chamber have, and they have a
lot more festivals and whatever than I do in Marchant Ward, but can I say thank
you to Councillor ADAMS for continuing to support the Lanham May Fair
which is the only festival that I have in the Marchant Ward. I would also like to
say thank you for the Taste of the World Festival. Even though it is in
Councillor WYNDHAM's ward, it is a huge success and our Indian community
on the north side do a wonderful job in that multicultural festival.
In Your Brisbane 4.2.1.2 is about libraries. If Sharan Harvey is up there, the
Grange Library, I am very thankful for, because it is absolutely amazing, even if
we do have to turn off that table sometimes because the kids get a bit rowdy. But
it is a fantastic facility, and a real community hub for the Grange area.
In this financial year, we are talking about the new Chermside Library. I have
seen the plans for the new library, and quite excited about the completion, can I
say, of the library. The redevelopment of the Chermside Library will deliver an
exciting new regional library with increased floor area from 2,000 square metres
to 3,000 square metres. It will have three large meeting rooms that, when
combined, will create a space for up to 200 people. It will be first-class Wi-Fi
bench area, I can imagine. As Councillor WINES said, each library gets better,
so it will be interesting to see how they can improve from the Grange Library.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 220 It will include quiet rooms and more seating options; larger children's area, and
a young adults’ area. I am truly thankful for this, because we do get a little bit of
complaints from the Chermside Library because the children's area is right in the
midst of the adults' area. As a mother, I know that children can be quite vocal at
times. So for that, the residents of Chermside and the surrounding suburbs will
be extremely happy.
Of course, it wouldn’t be complete in the Chermside area without a coffee shop,
so it will include another coffee shop. But the North Regional Office is also
moving to that site, over with the Chermside Library. So it will bring all of us
together—the customer service, the call centre, the local Asset Services guys
and my office will all be moving over to one spot which will work really well
and connect with the community a lot better.
The Chermside Library, as of next month, I believe, is moving over to where my
office is at the North Regional Office, so that will be interesting,
Councillor ADAMS. I will say thank you for that. It will be a lot smaller, but I
think it will work really well and the building and the modifications to that
building are well and truly on the way. I think our electricity goes out this
weekend to do some more work in preparedness for the library to come over to
the North Regional side.
Just again, we can say thank you for the things that we get in our budget without
whinging and whining. This truly is where this service brings our whole
community together, and I would like to say thank you again to
Councillor ADAMS.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor ABRAHAMS.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would just like to say a few comments, and I might
first start off with just refuting some of the comments we have heard so far. We,
on this side of the Chamber, are very used to the LNP talking about the Soorley
ages, but to go back to the Dickensian period, which we have just done, is really
going a long way back. In response to Councillor MARX, it is not asking for
more; it is an issue of what the priorities are for the funding.
This program, which is really where the people of Brisbane are funded so that
they have a liveable lifestyle and our city is one in which all of us can enjoy the
benefits of living in Brisbane, is one that we would argue on this side of the
Chamber should have greater priority. It is not an issue of just more; it is an
issue of priority, and it has failed.
I would also just comment about how wonderful it is that we have $50,000 to
spend on anything we wish. Councillor MARX, I am sure you actually didn’t
mean that as I am wont sometimes to say things that I haven’t thought out
properly, in that we have very clear guidelines of how we spend that money, and
it has to be spent within those guidelines. Let's be very clear: that was an
initiative that David Hinchliffe had to take to Cabinet, had to take it very
strongly to get the LNP Lord Mayor at that time for it to become a reality. So we
are all now—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
—indeed, it was $120,000, which was meaningful money that we could do
something with. But, Madam Chair, I would just like to focus on the community
sport and recreation area—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor ABRAHAMS:
—within that, there has been a cut, one of the many cuts in this program that has
suffered too many; priority wrong, too many cuts. In the community sport and
recreation, the capital is down a third. It was $7.2 million from last year's
budget, and it is now down to $14.7 million in this year's budget that we have.
Madam Chair, sport is incredibly important to the youth, to the adults, to the
health of our city, and the fact that we are having this cut which has always been
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 221 one of those issues that is more expensive than we'd ever wish to put in place is
definitely a wrong priority.
I would like to go to my ward. I have businesses that are sports. I will set them
aside; two of those. When you look at some of the real community sports clubs,
the Partisans at West End, which is the only sports club in all of the West End
peninsula, doesn’t even have a clubhouse. It doesn’t even have a lease. They are
desperate for infrastructure that I have put in to have lights. They train against
one pole that should have three lights on it, and for the last three weeks has only
had one functioning. The need for them to be properly funded is something that
is regrettable that it is not in this budget.
The other one is one of the second biggest women's sports clubs in Brisbane in
netball, and that is the Metropolitan Districts Netball over in Coorparoo, in
Wembley Park. It is huge. I think they have 14 courts. They have an incredibly
substandard car park with an entrance in that is so hazardous that that sports
club is now paying to have a police person on the gate to control the movement
into a sports club. That is a huge cost for any sports club, and I don't believe
women's sport, that generally does not have the infrastructure and the resources,
should be doing so.
Once those cars are in the car park, it is pot hole after pot hole after pot hole. It
is an important job; it is not something that you can just do out of the parking
fine footpath trust, because the whole area needs to be appropriately taken back
to basic and built up. To make it worse, that area floods. That club is now
paying for the insurance of a number of cars that got flooded while the players
were playing on the sports field during the recent storm. They came to Council
for support, and did not get that support. My cry to the Chair is we really have to
look at some of the priorities there are for sports facilities, and I can't imagine
what would have more priority than that netball association.
On top of that, they are actually having money being spent on a bikeway that is
compounding the problem of the car park, not adding to it. So I would suggest it
would really be great if, in a budget review in this sport area, money was
allocated so that work on that car park could be undertaken at the same time as
the significant expenditure in the bikeway. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor HUANG.
Councillor HUANG:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise in support of Program 4 of the
LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Budget on Your Brisbane. I would firstly like to
thank the LORD MAYOR and Chairman for Lifestyle in delivering a budget
that truly looks after Brisbane's diverse communities by providing funding and
facilities to ensure Brisbane continues to enjoy a vibrant, cohesive and inclusive
social atmosphere.
Brisbane is a vibrant and energetic New World City, offering our residents and
visitors a range of cultural and recreational activities which foster inclusion and
stronger communities. The social, cultural, environmental and economic
wellbeing of our diverse community is critical to maintain our current high
standard of living. Your Brisbane program plays a vital part in building this
city's social infrastructure through citywide and locally focused festivals, events
and activities which celebrate and strengthen our quality of life and community
spirit, and provide relevant communities resources, services and facilities to
create opportunities for residents to be active, informed and involved in the
community.
Brisbane continues to enjoy the benefits that our multicultural communities
bring to our—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! There is too much talking in the Chamber.
Thank you, Councillor HUANG.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 222 Councillor HUANG:
—bring to our city. As a New World City, Brisbane is one of the most
multicultural cities in the country. The latest diversity figures show 28 per cent
of our city's population is comprised of those born overseas, according to the
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census data. Every Council ward in
Brisbane can claim residents with ancestries from Oceania, North-West
European, Southern and Eastern European, North African, and Middle Eastern,
South-East Asian, North-East Asian, Southern and Central Asian, peoples of the
Americas and Saharan African.
People from diverse cultural backgrounds not only bring to our city direct
economic benefits by contributing their skills or their network in their home
country, but most importantly they have enriched the cultural and social fabric
of our city. Festivals are one of the most popular ways to showcase Brisbane's
cultural richness and the most effective way in bringing the world to us.
Multicultural festivals focus on celebrating Brisbane's cultural diversity,
contributing to our aspirations as a vibrant and creative, friendly and inclusive
city. Through them, our residents can celebrate, respect and welcome diversity
and the richness it brings to the Brisbane culture and lifestyle. Brisbane City
Council values its cultural diversity to such an extent that most festivals are
enriched by contributions from our indigenous, English speaking and
non-English speaking background migrants and refugee communities.
These multicultural festivals give Brisbane residents the opportunity to truly
experience the diverse cultures that make our city special. Take
MacGregor Ward for example. There is a strong presence of Chinese, Korean
and Islamic cultures in MacGregor Ward. In the 2015-16 budget, we continue to
support the local communities through funding to a number of community
festivals, ranging from Chinese cultural festival, Korean festival to
Taiwanese Moon Festival. The financial support provided by this Council not
only allows these community organisations to showcase their culture through
festivals, but also give Brisbane residents the opportunity to truly experience the
diverse cultures that make our city special.
As we welcome and enjoy these festivals, one of the common issues facing
these community organisations is to find a suitable venue to host the events.
This year's budget delivers on the LORD MAYOR's election promise to the
South Side communities for the Performing Arts Centre to be built in
Sunnybank. The Brisbane City Council Performing Arts Centre will be
constructed at Sunnybank's DM Henderson Park. This follows the signing of a
heads of agreement on 14 June 2014. A design and construction agreement
signed in 2014 and development approval being received 13 February 2015;
what a good story for Valentine's Day this year.
Council is working in partnership with Sunnybank Rugby Club to develop the
combined facility with each organisation contributing $5 million to the
$10 million project. The Performing Arts Centre will have a separate entry and a
pre-function foyer with access to a bar, box office and canteen. The facility has
been designed to maximise flexible use and will accommodate 300 seats in a
theatre-style set up, and has the ability to be reconfigured to suit the needs of the
local community. The design meets Council's commitment to access and
inclusion, by offering an internal lift to arrive into the entry foyer, and all public
spaces are accessible.
The theatre is acknowledged in the Youth Strategy and aims to meet the vision
within the Creative Strategy to contribute to a network of night time
entertainment venues. Contractors have been short-listed via an expression of
interest process. Construction is planned to commence in July 2015, and all
Councillors are invited to attend. It is anticipated this venue will be completed
by mid-2016.
This new Performing Arts Centre will be the new landmark for the cultural life
of South Side. On behalf of the local residents and community organisations, I
would like to thank the LORD MAYOR and the Chairman for Lifestyle,
Councillor ADAMS, for delivering this important social infrastructure that
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 223 demonstrates the support and dedication to Brisbane's diverse community. I
commend this program to the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor WYNDHAM.
Councillor WYNDHAM:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on Program 4, Your Brisbane.
Firstly, let me say that I am absolutely disgusted that we have people in the
Chamber here that spend their days looking at the clock when they are supposed
to be in an information meeting. They are all concerned about what is going on
around them instead of the information. It seems to me that the clock-watcher
seems very content on what she wants in her electorate.
Councillor ABRAHAMS is correct; it is not about wants, it is about priorities.
Those that stand up after putting in, I guess, huge budget lists for millions of
dollars and complain that they have not got what they want in their electorate, it
is not about wants, it is about needs. It is about priorities, and I think it is time
that some people in this Chamber here started to realise that it is the priorities
and the needs that are an important part of Council, not what you want.
Madam Chair, I have learnt over time that needs are extremely important to our
community, and I guess it comes back to my background where I was taught as
a kid, wants don't get anything; needs get something.
I do note, but, that I guess Councillor DICK in his comments stated about wants
and needs, saying that there were wants, and then needs were prioritised, but it
seems to me there is a little bit of a mix up there; they are assessed and
prioritised. The problem is, when the list comes out, all of a sudden they want
more. The needs have been sorted, but they are still wanting—wanting much
more.
Just a small criticism of the Lord Mayor's Suburban Initiative Fund from the
other side, Councillor DICK at the time was not in this Chamber, and yes, we
voted it down for a very good reason: Councillor Kerry Rae at the time was the
Chair, and yes, correct, it was $120,000, and correct, there were guidelines, but
we voted it down because it was then going to be called the
Liveability Committee, and each ward was to have a committee. We saw this as,
I guess, not allowing all people to have a say but in allowing perhaps some of
the—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WYNDHAM:
—branches across some of the electorates having more of a say where the
money was spent—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor WYNDHAM:
—for their Councillors and forgetting that the people who had administered this
fund were the Council officers, and there were guidelines to run this program. I
am very grateful now to the LORD MAYOR that we have the Lord Mayor's
Suburban Initiative Fund with guidelines, and it is running smoothly.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor WYNDHAM:
Councillor DICK needs to remember he wasn’t here in the place; he needs to
look at some of the history, and Councillor ABRAHAMS was very wrong in
what she said about that also.
I am very proud to stand up here after quite a while and look at this program,
because there's one thing in this program over the many years that is iconic to
Australia and to Brisbane. We are standing in it right now—some of you are
sitting—we are here right now. During the term from when Sallyanne had it
repainted internally until LORD MAYOR Campbell Newman introduced the
policy to rebuild this building because it was suffering from such great neglect,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 224 having been administered for quite some time by the ALP, we had to spend
$215 million bringing it up to scratch.
I remember the debate. Those on the other side didn’t even want a kitchen put in
the building. Renovating a building and not having a kitchen—how ridiculous
would that be.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor WYNDHAM:
All I can say with great pride—and everyone in this room should be proud of
this building and what we have achieved, because if you google this building,
you will find that it has received many awards for—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor NEWTON!
Councillor WYNDHAM:
—its restoration; it is iconic in Brisbane; it is iconic in Australia, and this
building actually attracts people to Brisbane as tourists. So it is not just an
investment in the building, but it is an investment in an icon of Australia, and we
all should be very proud of it and not critical of it. I am pleased to see that
Councillor ADAMS, in the budget, has moneys to continue the maintenance of
it, which is something that the ALP never even considered.
I can remember the first time I came into this building for a citizenship
ceremony and I thought to myself, there's something wrong with this building; it
lacks a lot of paint; it has been suffering neglect, and it needs serious work. I am
sorry, I come from a trade background, and I recognise when something has not
been maintained to a standard that it deserves. As part of our history, it deserved
the greatest of maintenance, and I am sure under this program and under
Councillor ADAMS' stewardship, this building will continue to serve the people
of Brisbane for many years and retain its grandeur as we all expect and as the
citizens of Brisbane expect.
So I call upon the ALP on the other side to get behind this part of the program
and at least support it, because this is our building, this is the city's building, and
you should be proud of what has been achieved here, not knock it. Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor MURPHY:
Thank you, Madam Chairman; I rise to speak on Program 4, Your Brisbane.
This is the program that is all about our community festivals, our libraries, the
things that people love, the services that people love to get from Brisbane City
Council. Just to deal first up with some of the comments made by some
Councillors opposite, first we have Councillor GRIFFITHS' comments that he
made earlier in the debate. It is great that we are dealing with a program that
involves libraries, because he gets a gold star reading award for his speech
before. It was absolutely pathetic, his contribution. Sitting here, I felt like
Red Symons, and I had to hit the gong and give him the one out of 10, because it
was truly insane what he was talking about.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MURPHY:
The Toowong pool—
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor MURPHY:
He got up and he criticised us for not reopening the Toowong pool that they
closed in Government. Can you believe the level of hypocrisy and arrogance
that it must take an Opposition to get up and to make that claim? There's a lot of
things in here, Councillor GRIFFITHS, through you, Madam Chair, that you
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 225 could have criticised, but the one thing you chose to criticise was a pool that you
in Administration closed. Absolutely pathetic.
Then there was the contribution from the Councillor for Tennyson Ward. When
it comes to Councillor JOHNSTON, there wasn’t much that she was talking
about that had anything to do with policy, but there was plenty of venom, plenty
of vitriol for Councillor ADAMS, once again proving that pit vipers are native
to Tennyson Ward.
Now, on to the substantive program. We have service 4.1.1.1 Festivals and
Events. I want to talk about a few of the great festivals and events that are
funded out of this service in my ward.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, stop interjecting.
Councillor MURPHY:
Madam Chairman, we have the Brisbane Billycart Championships.
Chairman:
Just a minute, Councillor MURPHY.
If you are going to refer to me, you refer to me appropriately, thank you.
Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor MURPHY:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. The Brisbane Billycart Championships, which is
just—
Chairman:
Just a minute, Councillor MURPHY.
Councillor JOHNSTON, I don't know what you are referring to. If you want to
call a point of order, call a point of order and do it properly.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Sorry?
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Well, I don't know that he was talking about anyone in particular.
Councillor MURPHY, if you were referring to Councillor JOHNSTON, please
withdraw the comment.
Councillor MURPHY:
I withdraw.
Chairman:
Thank you.
Councillor MURPHY:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. On to the Brisbane Billycart Championships, a
wonderful event held yearly in the Carindale Recreation Reserve. Which year is
it in now, Councillor SCHRINNER? In its 10 th year it has been going, or not
quite that long? A fantastic festival; it was meant to start as a billycart
championship but it has become a general fair for the local area. I know the hill
gets comments every year; why can't we make the hill taller? Why can't we have
a billycart race that goes for longer? But we have a lot of young kids that
actually get on those billycarts and go into that competition, so I think everyone
is happy with just expanding the festival rather than the hill.
We've also got the Brisbane Kite Festival. This was the only festival that was
funded through central festival funding from the City Council when I came to
Office. It is run by the Port of Brisbane Rotary Club and the Bulimba Rotary
Club and they share responsibility for that year-on-year. It is a tremendous
festival, and I have said in this place before that it is really great to see kids
putting down their iPads, their iPhones, the PlayStations, their Xboxes, and
actually just playing with kites for the day—something that I think is lost in this
technology-centric society that we live in.
We also have the Carols on the Range. This is a wonderful event just outside my
ward in Councillor SCHRINNER's ward, which was started a few years ago
when the Wakerley Christmas Carols was canned by my predecessor. It
continues this year, and it gives great exposure to the Queensland Rifle
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 226 Association and the National Rifle Association that is there at the
Belmont Range. They do a tremendous event, and they invite the community to
share an evening of carols with them on the range. It is really good to see.
We've also got History Alive, a Journey Through Time. I was there representing
the LORD MAYOR just a few weeks ago down at Fort Lytton National Park.
What an absolutely tremendous event that is, Madam Chairman. You've got to
be very careful when you’re down there that you don't refer to the re-enactors as
cosplayers, as did an un-named politician who I won't name; he is not from this
side of the Chamber, but may or may not be in the State Parliament. They are
not cosplayers; they are reenactors, and they take their job of re-enactment very
seriously. When you go up and say, Hi, who are you? They say, I'm Augustus
Flavius or something like that, and they are completely in character. It is a
tremendous event, and I recommend it to all Councillors to actually get down
there some time.
I can see here we have also got funding for the Karawatha Family Fun Day, and
Councillor MARX, I believe this is something that you started in your ward—
the first community festival to be held in Karawatha Ward under your watch,
and probably ever, if the speech that you made before is accurate. Murarrie
Neighbour Day is a wonderful event that I was able to start a few years ago,
getting residents of Murarrie out into the community to meet each other for a
casual breakfast. It is truly a good event to see all people from all different
cultures and social backgrounds coming out and meeting, having a breakfast,
breaking down those barriers of social isolation in the community.
Also, a big shout out to Councillor HOWARD for the work she does with Pride
Festival. It is funded through this budget as well. I know that the people that run
Pride Festival were very pleased to see us when we were out at International
Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia the other week, along
with Councillor WINES who was there as well.
We also have funding here for the multicultural festivals that we run in
Brisbane. Just to name a few, we've got the Chinese Festival, the Luna Festival,
Eat Street, Korean Festival Day, the South Pacific Islanders Christmas
Celebration—the list goes on. Importantly, this is only $529,000 that is allocated
in this budget, but that money goes a really long way, when you take into
account the fact that Brisbane City Council is often the anchor sponsorship for
so many of these events, and so many of these events wouldn’t go ahead unless
they had the credibility of having an event partner like Brisbane City Council on
the team. So it is really good to see all those events happening.
We also have in this 2015-16 Budget the library refurbishment at Carina which I
am very much looking forward to, and which is well advanced in the design
process now. This will add an extra meeting room and refurbished facilities for
one of those ageing libraries that was built in the 60s, and has been refurbished
continually throughout the time that it has been around, but is in need of having
some extra space there for the community to use as a meeting hall, particularly
because Carindale is upgraded now, and the residents are going, well, Carindale
has got their upgraded library; when can we get our upgraded library? I hope
they are not expecting anything as magnificent as Carindale, but it certainly will
be fantastic, and they are looking forward to it.
We also have in this budget a funding allocation for some refurbishment at
Riverstage. I know with interest that, over the last few years, we have had
Ed Sheeran, we have had Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac, we've had Sting,
Foo Fighters, Avicii, some really big name international acts come and play
Riverstage. It has capacity there for 9,000 patrons. I actually didn’t know this,
but Riverstage is as old as I am. It was born in 1988, and in that time it actually
hasn’t had any refurbishments.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor MURPHY:
No, I haven’t had any oil changes since then, and I know that I am feeling pretty
tired now. We need to make sure that Riverstage has the facilities that visiting
artists and acts require these days; the change rooms, the back of house features
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 227 and facilities to make sure that we continue to attract them to our New World
City. This budget provides for refurbishment works of the back of house.
Obviously that refurbishment work is being recognised internationally, because
we've got some wonderful acts, including Imagine Dragons, Mumford and Sons,
Neon Run, the Telstra Ballet, Gardens, Boy & Bear, Hozier and Ben Harper
coming in this financial year. So I very much look forward to seeing all those
wonderful acts.
I also want to talk about service 4.5.1.1 on page 96; that is an allocation of
$1.78 million to enhance our three skate parks at Paddington, Inala and
Bracken Ridge. I have quite a few of the smaller skate parks in my ward, and I
have a very good relationship with Ben Ventrice from Skate Queensland, and he
is very much looking forward to seeing these upgrades implemented through
this budget allocation, and very much looking forward to seeing refurbished
skate parks in our city, because we know that skating, along with all the other
extreme sports, has the ability to attract and to promote international talent in
those extreme sports for our city.
In summary, I want to thank Councillor ADAMS and the officers in her division
that have worked so hard to put this program together, as well as her staff, the
LORD MAYOR and Councillor SIMMONDS. It is a program that delivers all
the things that residents have come to love and expect from Council, and I
commend it to the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor CUMMING.
Councillor CUMMING:
Thanks, Madam Chair. I just want to mention the Suburban Initiative Fund and
my disappointment that it is stuck at a paltry $55,000, having been $125,000 not
that long ago. At the time it was reduced, the excuse used was the flooding that
had occurred around that time, but that excuse has worn out some years ago, and
I think it needs to be increased to a more reasonable amount, or at least indexed
every year. It is sitting at somewhere at $55,000, and leaving it there forever, it
means it will unfortunately decline in value each year and be less useful to the
general community.
The other thing was the festivals. Not too many years ago, the budget used to list
the amounts for each of the festivals. I am concerned to know what the amounts
are for the festivals. There is no reason they couldn’t list it. Hopefully the
Council has made up its mind by now how much each festival is going to get,
after last year's experience, and I can't see why they can't be listed in the
document.
The Halloween Festival in Manly has actually been cut back by Council in
recent years. They have been losing about $1,000 a year, and I am concerned
about that, because even though it is a very popular festival, the commerciality
of it to be able to raise funds from stallholders and that is limited, because it is a
festival where people start arriving at five o'clock; the parade is at six, and most
of them have gone home by seven, so that is limited hours for anyone to make
any money out of running a stall, et cetera.
So my concern is that Council thinks it is a far more profitable and lucrative
festival than it is, because it actually loses money every year, and it is up to the
local chamber of commerce to put their own funds or put the money they get
from the levy on commercial properties in the area into subsidising that festival.
Finally, I can't find anywhere how much the Wynnum Library is going to get.
There is no mention of the Wynnum Library, et cetera. We have heard that the
shell of the building is being paid for by City of Brisbane Investment
Corporation, is it, or is it Woolies? We don't know. No one will tell me. No one
will give me a briefing, so I just keep speculating. But there is an amount
obviously for the fit-out of the library, and that is being paid for by Council. So I
am interested to know how much that is and where that is in the budget, whether
it is in this part of the budget. That information would be gratefully received
from the Chair when she sums up.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 228 Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor ADAMS, would you close the debate please?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair, and interesting Councillor CUMMING's comments
that the information would be gratefully received when I sum up. Do you know
what? The questions would have been greatly received if they had bothered to
ask them on Friday in the two hours. I have just sat here for the last hour and a
half—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor ADAMS:
—being fired—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor ADAMS:
—question after question after question that I could have clearly answered on
Friday, but not one of them bothered to ask any of these questions. Can I say, for
example, that we spent 30 minutes on one Councillor asking the same question
because she didn’t like the answer.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order!
Councillor JOHNSTON!
Councillor ADAMS:
Just because you don't like the answer it doesn’t mean it's wrong. But you can
ask the same question, and guess what: the answer doesn’t change. I have to say
that I am disappointed that these questions that we hear in the posturing today
weren't asked on Friday. I am happy to address many of them right now if I can
get through them in the nine minutes that I have left.
First of all, I would just like to reiterate to the Chamber, as I seem to do every
time I stand up at a budget review or a budget or anything in the last three years,
these are not re-announcements in Program 4, these are LORD MAYOR
deliverables that we have been working on for four years. Yes, we will
announce where we are each stage along the way. That does not make them a reannouncement; it makes them ongoing projects, and many of the fantastic
outcomes in Program 4 are ongoing projects.
First, to Councillor NEWTON, some of the questions that she had again that
were not asked on Friday, happy to discuss. Arts and culture, a couple of them
brought up—arts and culture, it's dropped, it's dropped; what are we going to do
with less money to arts and culture? Arts and culture, in a very large budget, had
a decrease of $500,000. This is purely around funding arrangements with the
Museum of Brisbane; nothing to do with the programming of arts and culture
services that are being provided to Brisbane. I don't think anyone on that side of
the Chamber will have any problems with that, because they didn’t vote to
support the Museum of Brisbane anyway, so there should be no complaints
whatsoever if that amount of money is around the funding arrangements with
the Museum of Brisbane. It is not about services.
With active and healthy programs, again we did see a decrease in the money,
and it was purely an overhead allocation shift—again, something I could have
very easily explained on Friday if they had bothered to ask. There is absolutely
no reduction to this service in the coming 12 months. We have delivered 2,174
sessions of GOLD n’ kids, with over 19,570 participants. We have seen 287
sessions of Chill Out programs to over 6,400 participants during the school
holidays, and over 1,730 walks with the Heart Foundation Walking group. None
of these services will be cut in the next financial year.
There were comments about the community facilities maintenance and the
changing of the new project called Clubs and Community Centre Structural
Repairs and Maintenance. I did explain this one on Friday, and I am happy to
explain it to the Chamber yet again. We have got an integration of three
programs across the board in facilities maintenance which is going to give us a
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 229 far more effective prioritisation of work, and targeting of works in areas of
greatest impact.
So we are going to be able to look at our information from our proactive
programming of asbestos, building condition audits, identified works around
maybe roofs, et cetera, that people were talking about in their buildings today,
and we can prioritise across all of these works that need to be done. If they are
actually then done in the same time on the same building, goodness forbid, we
can minimise the cost and save money. Guess what: saving money is not cutting
money, it is saving money. So there will be a far more effective way to deliver
the upgrades that we need across these three projects being integrated together.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order! Order!
Councillor ADAMS:
It also is supported by our Community Facilities Improvement program which
has $1.6 million in it as well. They are all integrated through the priorities that
we have.
Councillor NEWTON also mentioned that she is sure she heard two new skate
parks. Wrong, Councillor NEWTON; what you heard was two destination skate
parks—one on the north side and one on the south side, coming out of the Youth
Strategy, and two of the very main initiatives, places for young people to gather
and making sure there were more skate parks in the city. These two destination
skate parks, one in Bracken Ridge, that will be starting this year, and the one in
Inala, which will be starting very, very shortly, are delivering a much bigger
enhanced improved skate park than what we have seen anywhere else across the
city.
What I actually heard from Councillor DICK when it came to skate parks was
whinge, whinge, complain, complain, don't like it, not getting, but I am getting
exactly what I wanted. Complaining and whinging because he is getting exactly
what he wanted. But then I am not surprised on that side. As I said, this is not
just an upgrade of some local drainage at a park; this is a significant
enhancement to a destination park.
Councillor GRIFFITHS mentioned about the hard courts and fields, and the
leases, and making sure that they were up to scratch. Can I say, in sports fields
and hard courts, we have done more on this side of the Chamber than anyone in
Opposition over their many years in this place. It does look like there is a drop
in the capital for sports fields and hard courts this year because we had such a
boost to the work that we did in 2014-15.
We actually peaked last year with an extra $1 million on what we usually do by
the work that we have done on our sports fields and hard courts. We had an
overall increase in our work, which means we did do an accelerated program of
works last year, which means we are actually ahead of our normal proactive
programming, and we can now spend the time to streamline and do the works
that we need to do in 2015-16.
We have also been very focused on looking at our auditing, and making sure we
are prioritising.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor ADAMS:
If you don't want to hear the answer, Councillor JOHNSTON, don't ask the
questions.
Councillor interjecting.
Warning – Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON
The Chairman then formally warned Councillor JOHNSTON that unless she desisted from interjecting she
would be suspended from the service of the Council for a period of up to eight days. Furthermore,
Councillor JOHNSTON was warned that, if she were suspended from the service of the Council, she would be
excluded from the Council Chamber, ante-Chamber, public gallery and other meeting places for the period of
suspension.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 230 Chairman:
Councillor ADAMS.
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. So the auditing and conditioning audits that we are
doing is allowing us to do a much more targeted and efficient works that we will
be delivering, so we will be saving money not only for Council but also for the
clubs, and we can set up their irrigation systems properly and make sure that our
community have an increasing quality of playing surfaces out in their clubs as
well.
I now come to Councillor JOHNSTON and some of the questions that she did
ask, or accusations that she threw across the Chamber rather than questions
across the Chamber. About the Corinda Library—and as I mentioned, we did get
three or four of the same questions because somebody didn’t like the answers on
Friday as well—there was an indication there that we were not delivering at the
Corinda Library what she had promised. No, we are not. I am happy to say that.
We are not delivering what Councillor JOHNSTON has promised; we are
delivering what LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK promised at the Corinda
Library.
At no stage did I say that the scope was not finalised on this project. How could
I say the scope was not finalised when I read the scope out to her twice? She is
exactly right. What has not been finalised is the tendering process and the
contracts for this library. I very clearly told her the amount of money in the
library budget for this year. We do not know what the final contract is going to
be. I was not using a crystal ball to talk about what is estimated in the futures for
this library, plain and simple.
As for the access and inclusion program, yes, there are some carryovers. This is
how it works. When people actually work out in the real world on projects, they
actually don't work to financial years. They work on a project until it is done. If
it rains, they have to stop. If they stop, it means it takes a little bit longer.
There is $1.6 million of carryover on access and inclusion (A&I), purely
because it has not been completed by 30 June. It is contracted and is being done
right now as we sit here. It is being done right now as we sit here, and will be
completed, because it is contracted. But in the calendar, it won't be completed
by 30 June. That is not non-delivery; that is timing, simple and straightforward.
It is also not cuts. It is not cuts. This money is on top of the $6 million we will
see for A&I.
Last but not least, Madam Chair, I can't go without commenting on the social
inclusion $2 million that they kept throwing across this side. Very, very easy to
pick just one little column around expenses and compare it to last year. Last year
there was a $2 million shift from expenses to capital across the Social Inclusion
because we were delivering more in A&I infrastructure for the people in
Brisbane that need it most. There has not been a $2 million cut in Social
Inclusion, and there will not be a $2 million cut in Social Inclusion.
Madam Chair, Your Brisbane delivers for every person in Brisbane, and I
commend the program to the Chamber.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for the adoption of the Your Brisbane program.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Your Brisbane program and it was
declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Ryan MURPHY and Andrew WINES immediately rose and called for a division, which
resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 231 AYES: 27 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES,
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER,
Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON, Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
5. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM:
696/2014-15
Councillor Krista ADAMS, Chairman of the Brisbane Lifestyle Committee, moved, seconded by Councillor
Andrew WINES, that for the services of the Council the allocations for the Operations and the Projects for the
year 2015-16 and the Rolling Recurrent Operations Contracts and the Rolling Projects for the Public Health and
Safety program as contained on pages 103 to 110 so far as they relate to Program 5, be adopted.
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Program 5 plays a pivotal role in protecting the
health and safety of Brisbane residents and visitors. Council's Public Health and
Safety program provides a range of important services through the provision of
effective community health services, personal security of citizens and their
property, security of the city and community safety services, and of course,
Brisbane City Cemeteries.
Council’s Immunisation Services help to reduce Brisbane's exposure to
vaccine-preventable diseases through three key activities: school-based
vaccination programs delivering on behalf of Queensland Health (QH), free
community clinics and the influenza vaccination program.
The school-based vaccination program will be delivered to 100 high schools
comprising more than 300 individual school visits, 9,000 students and about
45,000 single vaccinations. In 2015-16 we expect to deliver 10 weekly and four
fortnightly community clinics across 14 locations in Brisbane, vaccinating
approximately 15,000 clients. Currently, 91.6 per cent of children who are five
years old in Brisbane are fully vaccinated. Council expects to immunise up to
10 per cent of Brisbane's children between six and five years in the coming
financial year. We are currently the top sole service provider in Queensland,
administering over 73,000 vaccinations in both the infant and school-based
immunisation programs.
In 2015-16, the vaccination program to schools will deliver three vaccines to
year 8 female and male students. A study by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare shows that the incidences of the precursors to cervical cancer in
women under the age of 24 have gradually decreased due to the implementation
of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that has been in the school-based
program since 2007. Council has vaccinated over 158,000 students against HPV.
Public Health Strategies and Services deliver on public health strategies through
campaigns, public education and engagement about animals and public health
programs. For example, we provide funding to the Australian Veterinary
Association to deliver the Pets and People Education Program to schools across
Brisbane. In partnership with them, officers attend primary schools to promote
awareness of responsible pet ownership, safety around animals and healthy
living. More than 440 school programs will be delivered in 2015-16 reaching
more than 30,000 primary school students.
We have micro-chipping events at discounted prices across Brisbane. We
manage the Local Government Toolbox, a collaborative initiative across
South East Queensland councils, where we provide Brisbane and South East
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 232 Queensland residents, customers and local government officers access, to and
sharing of, consistent information and processes.
Improving Water Safety Outcomes project aims to reduce drowning and
immersions of young children. With 70,000 backyard pools in Brisbane, we play
an important role in proactively and reactively promoting pool safety awareness
and compliance.
The Suburban Safety Mobile Technology project provides improved camera
technology to keep residents safe and ensure access to footpaths. This project is
essential to keeping our roads clear, and motorists, pedestrians and cyclists safe.
It is anticipated that project will deliver on a number of key outcomes,
particularly from the Parking Taskforce review this year, and a reduction in poor
driver behaviour around schools that endangers the lives of children, improve
road and pedestrian safety, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance access to
community amenities. It will also explore analytics technology in vehicles and
static cameras for issues around illegal dumping sites to identify offenders and
maintain the amenity of our city.
Controlling mosquitoes by monitoring and treating breeding habits is important
to enhance and protect the health of Brisbane residents. The LORD MAYOR
has made a commitment to the residents of Brisbane that, based on
recommendations from the Council Entomologist, we will always do necessary
treatments that are needed at any time. We will have a third rodent detection dog
joining our team of Myra and Pepper this year, with Collie coming online to
train with our older dogs. With over 800 requests a year from residents and
businesses, and 1,750 rodent bating stations, they will be kept very busy.
The rate of Ross River virus unfortunately did increase in 2014-15 with the
culmination of ideal freshwater and saltwater mosquito breeding conditions.
This steady rise has made sure that Council will treat more than 20,000 hectares
in its aerial spraying program in 2015-16. It is driven by tide and rain induced
activity, but we will continue to manage our 3,000 recognised mosquito
breeding sites and undertake other activities to mitigate Ross River virus and
Barmah Forest virus. Last year we had the biggest spend and the biggest aerial
spray since 1998. We are committed to making sure that we are looking after
public health and safety in this arena.
Our law enforcement and animal management team will provide the best
practice animal management services across Brisbane. Daily patrols of
recreational areas, dog off-leash parks, foreshore areas, known hotspots where
we can educate animal owners and ensure public spaces are safe when they are
shared by both pet owners and those who don't own pets. The Finding
Irresponsible Dog Owners (FIDO) campaign follows up on expired dog
registrations by phone and SMS reminders, and we also have FIDO supported
by BARC, our Brisbane Active Registration Compliance campaign, where we
will go out this year through at least eight suburbs, again doorknocking over
2,500 properties to have direct visit with those that we think may not be in
compliance with their registration.
We will likely respond again to more than 22,000 complaints from customers
around animal management issues—wandering dogs, dogs not being walked on
a leash, unregistered and barking dogs. The micro-chipping events will continue
as well, and we will make sure that we invite our local businesses to be involved
as we hold those events across the city.
The Animal Welfare League (AWL) of Queensland has managed Queensland
animal shelters at Willawong and Warra since October 2014, and will continue
to provide that service through 2015-16. The change in the service provided
reflects Council's continuing commitment to our fundamental aspiration that
every healthy suitable animal will be rehomed. What we are seeing with the
AWL is a definite increase in this outcome. More than 85 per cent of dogs and
79 per cent of cats brought to the shelter were rehomed in 2014-15, and we are
expecting to see this increase in the next financial year.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 233 AWL's recent four-day promotion, Game of Bones, which was held at Warra
Shelter on Queen's Birthday weekend, actually found homes for 118 animals
compared with their monthly average of 50 or 60 animals. So they are doing
some fantastic work, the AWL.
City Amenity and Food Safety contributes to protecting community health,
safety and amenity standards. This is our 24/7 frontline rapid response capacity
for matters of public health, safety and risk. Our fantastic Rapid Response
Group (RRG), established in 2009, is Queensland's first local government
24/7 front line response, and in 2015-16 they will continue to provide their
expedient, professional and collaborative responses to high-priority incidences
across the city.
Processing health licence applications in accordance with legislation standards is
a huge part of our EatSafe program, with 7,000 food businesses last financial
year, and it will be growing. We've got a larger population of business start-ups.
We expect an increase of five per cent in food business applications this coming
year, and we will make sure that we make it easy for them to do business with
Brisbane. We anticipate a 150 per cent increase in licences for our food stall
vendors. What we have seen, it will make it easier to do business with Council
this year as well.
EatSafe continues to make sure that we have got the safest restaurants for the
public in Brisbane. Approximately 90 per cent of Brisbane's licensed food
businesses have a food safety rating of three to five stars, and we provide
information for EatSafe in four different languages—Vietnamese, traditional
and simplified Chinese, Sudanese and Arabic. We've also got Mandarin
speaking liaison officers that are working with us to make sure we provide food
safety advice to Chinese community groups.
Our mandatory food audit safety audits are also scheduled according to star
ratings. We will undertake a number of measures this year, including 5,800 food
safety audits, but also following up the nearly 1,100-plus complaints we get
reactively from the community as well. We make no apology that we will
immediately close any business that presents serious risks to public safety.
As to response for amenity, litter and safety issues across Brisbane suburbs
through the Suburban Amenity and Litter Team (SALT), we have brochures
with messages in four languages again—Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic and
English—which are made available in our regional centres, ward offices and
through the schools, if targeted, around the consequences of leaving trolleys
outside shopping centres. We have also got our SALT supporting the RRG in
the event of any significant weather events as well.
Our Suburban Safety Team will work closely with schools to ensure school
zones are safe for parents and children. We will do more than 580 patrols of
school zones, conduct 10 weekly patrols of disability parking in four major
shopping precincts: Westfield Chermside, Westfield Carindale Centro, Buranda
and Centro Toombul. We will respond to more than 11,000 complaints on
suburban safety.
Securing citizen safety and that of their property is also essential to maintain
liveability in Brisbane. The community expects Council to respond to disaster
events which is why we support the Brisbane State Emergency Service (SES) to
provide immediate support in the event of a significant weather or disaster event
in the city. The SES accommodation provides new depot construction projects;
we will see improvements for the Council's south-west SES group at
Richlands Primary School site, including vehicle and storage bays. We have also
got the development approval to start the work for the depot at Morningside for
the eastern SES group.
SES Logistics, Fundraising and Services Program; Council will match dollar for
dollar the fundraising efforts by SES volunteers, and make payments to
volunteers in recognition for attendance and long service commitments.
Volunteers are likely to respond to around five and a half thousand requests for
assistance in 2015-16, we are more than happy if that number comes down. The
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 234 membership volunteer of the SES by the end of 2015-16 is expected to be more
than 1,100 members, we are hoping to see that five percent increase going into
the year.
Crime Prevention Planning and Services contribute to making Brisbane a city
that’s safe through a number of important initiatives. We are developing best
practice community safety strategies and embedding Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design, or CPTED, into all our planning and development
assessment process. We undertake CPTED safety audits in identified locations
and coordinate responses to priority safety issues and actions. In 2014-15 we did
35 audits by the end of May we will aim for 25 but we will do more if needed.
In 2015-16 this Council will spend more than $11 million dollars on safety
initiative responses. We also empower our residents and business to help them
remove graffiti by providing technical advice, graffiti removal kits and paint
vouchers. Several projects are supported through this service including
Taskforce Against Graffiti (TAG), which will continue the proactive and
reactive rapid removal of graffiti across the city, education and engagement. Our
TAG units will continue to track activity by reporting on incidents volumes
across time and locations and is anticipated we will remove between 25,000 and
30,000 incidents of graffiti from Council and community assets over the coming
year.
Madam Chair, since 2011-12 Council has delivered best practice graffiti
management services with year-end savings, and the budget proposed for
2015-16 reflects the actual cost of the maintenance of graffiti management that
we have been delivering to Brisbane to have such a standard of excellence that
the residents expect from this Council.
City Safe continues with our 24/7 closed circuit television (CCTV) operations
rooms, to improve the safety in the inner-city and Valley malls across 81
cameras. B-SAFE promotes community safety in Brisbane by making sure
sharps bins are delivered and cleared so we can reduce the risk of needle stick
injuries. Of course our Suburban Crime Prevention Grants will again offer
$250,000 in grants to suburban businesses, not-for-profit, community and
sporting groups to support safety initiatives such as CCTV cameras, improved
lighting, signage and vegetation management.
It is anticipated in 2015-16 the grants program will be between 40 to 60
organisations from approximately 70 grant applications. The examples of some
of the last years safety grants, if you were thinking of some groups that you may
be able to support in the next financial year, Aussie Bike Auto & Boat Loan has
got CCTV installation—installed, I should say. Seikukan karate club at
Wavell Heights had lights and cameras put in as well.
In summary, Madam Chair, Program 5, Public Health and Safety, ensures that
Council has the highest possible health and safety standards and protects our
residents, businesses and visitors.
In closing I would like to extend my appreciation to all the Council officers who
work in our Public Health and Safety program for their commitment and hard
work. So often they are the front line and the first person there to help our
residents in time of crisis, in time of need or in time of complaint and I have to
say they do a fantastic job to ensure the health and safety of residents and
visitors are kept at a premium. I recommend the program to the Chamber.
Chairman:
Further debate
Councillor NEWTON.
Councillor NEWTON:
Yes, thanks very much Madam Chair, I rise to speak on Program 5, Public
Health and Safety, and I’d like to start the way Councillor ADAMS finished up,
which is to thank the Council officers in this area. I think this is probably one of
the most difficult balancing acts we expect any of our Council officers to do,
because this is our enforcement area to make sure the public health and safety of
residents of Brisbane are protected but at the same time making sure that we are
not taking a purely punitive approach. And I think every day our local laws team
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 235 have to tread that very fine line, and I think between local laws officers and our
bus drivers, I think they are probably some of the most difficult jobs that exist
within Council; and probably laying asphalt is another one of those, in terms of
difficult jobs and hard jobs that people have to do. So my thanks to all those
officers.
I also wanted to pay a huge thanks to the 1,082 SES volunteers that are part of
this program as well. They’ve had another very difficult year. I think the last
three or four years have been particularly challenging, in terms of disaster
management and response. Personally speaking, in my area we had a number of
challenges both in November, and again on 1 May, where there was some
significant damage done in very trying times and some people severely affected
for the first time in over 40 years. So my thanks to those amazing people as
well.
So this is our public health and safety area where we deal with everything from
cemeteries to vaccinations, animal management, mozzies, food safety. So it's
quite a broad-ranging area when you consider the seven pages or six pages it
takes up in the Council budget. It does encompass a broad range of experience
people have with Brisbane City Council.
Again, I'd like to make a note of a few things. There were some carry-overs
again in this budget. This time they were related to the Richlands and
Morningside SES depots. So there's some work that was funded last year that's
coming over to this year. In terms of easy things to note in this budget, because I
think Councillor ADAMS was upset I made an easy observation in the last
program, my easy observation in this program is that we're spending
$800,000 less on citizen safety in the expenses and nearly $1.9 million less in
capital expenses. Just an interesting, easy observation to make, Madam Chair.
There are a few areas I do wish to talk about in terms of animal management to
start with. This is a big issue in the city and this is one of those delicate
balancing acts. We know that we've got nearly 99,000 dogs registered with the
City of Brisbane and last financial year we received 5,500 noise complaints
from residents, Madam Chair. Our pounds reunited 2,538 of the 4,242 animals
that were surrendered to those pounds. So only 55 per cent of the dogs—sorry,
animals that wound up at our animal shelters were reunited with their owners. I
think that we've still got a bit of a way to go to make sure that residents are best
equipped as possible to ensure that they're able to be easily reunited with their
pest. So we've still got a bit of a way to go.
But on a positive note, I think Councillors on this side of the Chamber warmly
welcome the change from the Lost Dogs' Home managing our animal shelters to
the AWL . We know what a disaster it was with the previous provider and what
appalling outcomes there were for many animals that passed through those
doors. The feedback I'm getting from animal rescue organisations is that they
really are enjoying a much better relationship with the AWL, something that
many of them have had for a number of years.
We've got a number of organisations that work in rescue that specialise in
particular dog breeds to ensure that the right dog is matched up with the right
home. Because there are particular breeds that I know from example talking the
arctic breed rescuer over the weekend, Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute
Rescue of Queensland, often people are purchasing Siberian Huskies because
they look a lot like wolves, thanks to Game of Thrones, Madam Chair, but
they're finding that the dogs are very active dogs; they're not used to sitting
around quietly and lolling around and looking pretty. So you need to make sure
that they're matched up with the right home.
So by having an organisation like the AWL working—who have a good
relationship with those specialist rescue breeds, hopefully we'll see some better
outcomes for those animals passing through those doors at the end of the day.
Because I think that there is nothing—in terms of animal management, there's
nothing worse than seeing suitable pets being put down just simply because they
haven't got a home, Madam Chair.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 236 On that, we know in March that we still saw, with the figures that
Councillor ADAMS raised, if you flip them over, that 14.25 per cent of suitable
dogs were euthanised this financial year up to March, and 20 per cent of cats. So
we're not talking about feral cats that are unsuitable, Madam Chair. So we've
still got a long way to go. I note that Council leaves that responsibility to deal
with, with the AWL.
Thankfully the track record to-date proves that they have a very strong
commitment to reducing that euthanisation rate of suitable animals,
Madam Chair. But I still think Council can still play a role, not just devolve that
to the people operating our animal shelters, Madam Chair. After all, this Council
will collect nearly $6 million in revenue from dog registration alone, from pet
owners, Madam Chair. So I think that—yes, I think there's something we can
certainly do in terms of education as well. So, Madam Chair, it's very important.
Just moving through the program as well, I just wanted to note that not all
parking fine revenue sits in Program 2. Of course in the—on page 105,
Suburban Safety, Mobile Technology, the revenue shown there is the anticipated
revenue from fine revenue from enforcement around schools. Just noting that
one, Madam Chair.
Also, I wanted to touch a bit on mosquitos and midge management,
Madam Chair. Being the Councillor whose area is probably one of the worst
affected by mosquitos and biting midgets, having the wonderful privilege of
representing an area with a lot of waterways and next to the bay, it is something
that's quite a significant impact. We know that, from the information sessions,
residents in the suburb of Deagon have the privilege of being in the number 1
hotspot for the biting midge in the whole of Brisbane. Now the problem with the
biting midget, Madam Chair, is there is currently no treatment to prevent the
biting midge breeding, and we know that this is spreading further and further
around the city.
I do note that there is ongoing work within Council, within the entomology team
to try to come up with environmentally appropriate ways to manage the biting
midget. It is a challenge because current treatments would wipe out all wildlife
in the waterways and that's not something we would support. But it is a real
problem because it's only recently emerged in the last couple of years in the
northern waterways. These biting midges are not deterred by conventional
means like screens on doors and windows, Madam Chair, and it's causing great
concern, particularly for people who are elderly and people with small children
who are particularly affected.
Also this year I cannot talk about this program without mentioning the worst
Ross River fever epidemic we've had in over 20 years, Madam Chair. Again,
there are residents in my area who were severely impacted by this. Indeed, the
first three months of this year from January to March, we saw in the Brisbane
area 2,835 cases of Ross River fever, 500 more than the whole calendar year
before, Madam Chair.
Now I just want to pay a bit of a contrast here, because I think that we should be
looking for what learnings—what went right? What went wrong? What can we
do better? What can we do smarter so that our residents aren't left thinking,
what's going to happen next season? Are we going to be facing the same kind of
outbreak as last year? Because it is a—Ross River fever and Barmah Forest
virus are very debilitating illnesses. Not just for that period, but they can have
recurring implications throughout your life, Madam Chair.
So obviously, as a local authority we do have a responsibility to try to do the
best we can to protect our residents from these viruses, Madam Chair. So I note
that Councillor ADAMS was very quick to take credit for the vaccination
programs resulting in a reduction in preventable illnesses, Madam Chair, and
that's something we all want to see is doing our very best in preventable
illnesses. But why isn't—as soon as you mention the jumps in Ross River fever
cases and Barmah Forest virus cases, that's deflected; that's somebody else's
fault. We'll blame the entomologists and we'll blame somebody else or we'll
blame the rain, Madam Chair.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 237 Councillors interjecting.
Councillor NEWTON:
The residents in Brisbane deserve better. They deserve better and we need to be
doing better, Madam Chair. I can't—this is my last Council budget meeting as
Councillor for Deagon Ward and I cannot let that one go and see my residents
potentially face another bad season.
Madam Chair, also this year represents crunch time in terms of the pool safety
obligations. We see that the pool legislation requiring—pool fencing legislation
is required to be enacted by the end of this year. There's certainly—
Chairman:
Councillor NEWTON, your time has expired.
Councillor NEWTON:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor WINES.
Councillor WINES:
Thank you, Madam Chairman, I rise in support of Program 5, Public Health and
Safety. It's a fantastic program but I'd also like to begin by recognising the
efforts and thanking the efforts of the officers. Because I would imagine that
there are times when enforcing the regulations to the Council would be very
unpleasant. People can be very sensitive when criticised. I just wanted to thank
them now, at the beginning of this speech, for the work that they do.
One of my favourite parts of this program is a thing called the Taskforce
Against Graffiti, which is a seven year old program now, that basically is a
Council and Queensland Police Service joint initiative designed to combat
graffiti in our suburbs. Earlier today I spoke about the benefit of public art in
combating graffiti, but while that's a shield, there needs to be a sword to go with
that program to make sure that people who do do the wrong thing around graffiti
do face the consequences for damaging the private property of other people, but
also the public property belonging to this Council.
Because while many people feel—particularly younger people feel that it may
well be a harmless act, it is not. It is an extremely expensive act that causes huge
amounts of cost to be incurred by this Council, and therefore the public, in
merely restoring and protecting existing assets. That's really well demonstrated
in an ongoing program that we work with the Crime Stoppers Queensland
organisation.
The cost of crime this year, this calendar year—so it's already commenced, we'll
be continuing through the second half of this year—cost of crime, vandalism—
of course many will remember last year’s cost of crime graffiti. It demonstrates
the power of the actual cost per item to repair these things. So I just wanted to
point out that relationship with both Crime Stoppers and the Queensland Police
Service who are working with Council to ensure that we protect our assets but
also explain to people the value of our assets and how much it costs them and
what could have been there had we not had to spend the money on repairing
graffiti damage and vandalised equipment.
I also wanted to point out in the program, there's a specific line item about a
high school education program. it's approximately 7,500 students, are explained
to them why it's uncool; why graffiti is uncool and they should not do it, support
it or think that people who engage in graffiti and vandalism, that it's something
that's good for them, because it has an ongoing cost.
I also wanted to point out that the thing about TAG—I'll just go back to TAG
briefly, what has been good about it is that people have been held to account for
what they've done. This year, it is anticipated—or it is probably that 80
offenders will be charged with somewhere between 1,800 to 2,000 graffiti-based
offenses in this financial year coming, which is pretty concerning considering
that after all these years there are still people who tag, there are still people who
vandalise and there are still people who actively graffiti in this city. They do it
knowing—because it's getting to be an older program now—they do it in a full
knowledge that this Council takes battling graffiti very seriously.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 238 I also want to talk about working with local businesses and community groups
to ensure that these things don't continue on. One of the programs is through our
CCTV grants program, which is also here. It has been a really successful
program and I know that a number of my businesses, principally auspices
through the Chambers of Commerce, have taken up this opportunity. I must
recommend it to all people in this room because it is excellent, if you can
encourage your communities to get involved to do it as well.
So I recognise that the CCTV program both through the Council and that
supported by Council has been taken up by many groups, both community and
supporting and as well as private and community services organisations, to
ensure that—again, it's all about holding people to account for what they've
done and making sure that there's a disincentive there for those activities to
occur.
I also just wanted to speak briefly about the entomologist and thank him for his
work. because he and his team—this Council relies on their advice to give the
people, particularly in the north-eastern suburbs and where there are a number of
creeks and still waters, the best opportunity to battle airborne diseases or
mosquito-borne disease—not airborne but mosquito-borne diseases. So I just
wanted to recognise their efforts and their ongoing contributions to this city.
There is so much in here, Madam Chairman, to recommend and I know that
there are a number of speakers still to come. So I recommend this program, I'll
be voting for it today, and I encourage all Councillors to do so.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor GRIFFITHS:
Yes, thanks Madam Chair, I'll speak to Program 5 and the various parts of that
program. Just to note in relation to the program with citizen security, there was a
drop in expenses. Madam Chair, it was ingesting to hear that the Rapid
Response crews that go out across our city with regards to the top five issues
that they had to respond to last financial year—and it's expected to be the same
this year—the first one was illegal parking complaints. The second one was
blocked footpaths. The third one was animal attacks. The fourth was illegal
activities in parks. The fifth was trucks in the suburbs. So it was interesting to
get that feedback in terms of how they are dealing with the rapid response issues
in the city.
Madam Chair, once again we had announced by the Chair that there were going
to be at least 25 CPTED audits. Once again, there seem to be no indication—or
there was no indication, none had been planned, for the areas that we're going to
be auditing; our parks or our streets in terms of safety. So can I suggest to any
Councillor in this Chamber, if you have somewhere that you would like to have
audited in terms of safety then now is the time to let Councillor ADAMS know
because she doesn't—or isn't aware of how that money's going to be spent at this
time.
Similarly, it was interesting in the program information session with regards to
Brisbane cemeteries—and I know I have the Mount Gravatt Cemetery in my
electorate—that overall there are 60 complaints. Frankly I was surprised there
weren't more complaints than that. The complaints that I was advised that were
received related to memorabilia and maintenance but also to the sinking of the
graves.
Can I say—I know it's a sensitive issue, I know it's a humorous issue for some
people, but for—I'm just saying, I'm just watching some people on the other side
of the Chamber—can I just say that the residents that I've dealt with in terms of
these issues, and I've always just forwarded them onto the CEO, are very upset
when they come across a sunk grave. They're very upset—I had a lady—a
Muslim lady rang me this week—contacted me this week who said that the
burial for her family member couldn't go ahead because the area where they are
buried, in terms of the cemetery, was so boggy that people couldn't get into that
area for the burial on the day.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 239 Madam Chair, I think our cemeteries aren't up to scratch in terms of what we're
doing and in terms of the complaints I'm hearing. I don't believe that people
should be having to come to us and say, hey, the grave's sunk and it hasn't been
filled in for some time. I don't believe that's appropriate. I believe we should just
be onto that, have dealt with that. So I would question whether we have enough
money in this to be looking at those issues. I don't think that at this stage, from
my experience and having to deal with residents who are very upset and
distraught, that they're getting that level of service at the moment.
The other thing with Mount Gravatt Cemetery, just out of interest, for those of
you who haven't been there, is that it actually has—the only way to get into that
cemetery is by a road. So I've seen people and I've had people contact me
saying, we struggle up into that cemetery on the road from the bus stop and
there is no form concrete either in the cemetery grounds to walk on or to the bus
stop. I probably think really in this day and age we should be doing something a
bit better than that.
Madam Chair, in relation to the cats and dogs, once again we had 793 cats and
dogs euthanised. That's a hell of a lot of cats and dogs. Now I understand the
need to euthanise some pets that aren't suitable, but 793 is too many for this city.
We need to be getting more proactive with what we're doing. We need to be
thinking a bit bigger picture. We need to be going and talking to the State
Government about what can they do and how can we work with them to
strategically reduce the numbers of cats and dogs that need to be put down in
our city and in the cities beside us and around us.
I think everyone—well I don't think anyone in this room could argue against
that. So I would call for the state, call for Council to work with State
Government and the RSPCA and any other stakeholders to look at options,
reasonable options so that we can reduce the number of animals that we're
putting down.
Madam Chair, overall it was concerning that 10 per cent—so 579 of the
5,791 food venues that were checked, 579 were deemed to be below a two star
rating. That means they need a fair bit of work. So that's a lot of food venues in
this city that really aren't up to scratch or that certainly have a long way to go.
So that would indicate that there are problems there and more effort needs to be
put into those restaurants and places that provide food in our city.
Madam Chair, overall it's a budget that really just maintains things. It doesn't
offer anything really exciting, doesn't offer any great visions for the future in
terms of the LNP. Once again, it's just a steady-as-she-goes budget. But
hopefully there'll be some new ideas in the coming months as we lead up to the
election. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor MARX.
Councillor MARX:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Can I, before I just start on Program 5, Public Health
and Safety, can I just put on the record there was a technical issue with one of
the phones somewhere here in the Chamber which is why people were smiling.
It wasn't anything reflecting on what Councillor GRIFFITHS was talking about.
I just wanted to make that very clear. No one would ever make any derogatory
comments about anything to do with cemeteries.
So I just want to also say that from my point of view you're either a half-glass
empty or a half-glass full type of person, I tend to be the half-glass full.
Councillor GRIFFITHS mentioned the problems with the star rating that he said
that there were so many there with just a two-star rating. My suggestion would
be that perhaps if there was no star rating there, we would have a 100 per cent
problem and we wouldn't even know about it. So to me I'm suggesting the star
rating is actually working because we have a record of those places that do need
some work. I know for a fact Council officers are working with those places.
Councillor NEWTON was talking about the pool fencing and actually finished
on her speech when she didn't quite get to finish what she was talking about pool
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 240 fencing. So I wasn't sure what she was going to say about it, but I just wanted to
reassure her that yes, we are aware that the five-year period ends on 1 December
2015 with regard to the safety that the State Government introduced, and that
we're following it up. Council has proactively carried out more than 1,200 fall
inspections.
I want to put it on the record; I know that that is absolutely a fact because I was
home one morning when I had a knock on the door from a Council officer
wanting to inspect my pool. I can tell you that I was taken by surprise but
anyway, he came through the house, he went out to the pool and we were having
a chat and he said to me, I actually looked over your back fence before I
knocked on your door, so there was no way I could tell him any furphies about
anything about my pool, because he had already checked it out before he even
spoke to me. So they're on the ball, they know what's going on and they're
keeping our children safe.
The other way we're keeping our children safe, that's something that perhaps we
would think is a good thing but perhaps half the residents don't necessarily like,
is the immunisation program. I don't know about anyone else but I absolutely
hate needles and I know my children do too. But having children—and as a
mother we know—they're essential and I think it's just a fabulous idea that the
Brisbane City Council once again has a program that not many people know
about and it's for the greater good of everyone. I think that we just need to keep
behind our Council officers and our Chairs for the great work that they do.
Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor FLESSER.
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, people that live in new world cities
aren't held captive in their homes because of mosquitos in summer,
Madam Chair. Councillor Victoria NEWTON spoke before about the problem
we have with Ross River fever and also Barmah Forest virus; 2,385 new cases
this year for Ross River fever.
So, Madam Chair, what would you expect in this budget? You'd expect a big
announcement, we're going to do something to fix this mosquito problem, it's
not good enough, a New World City, people being held captive in their homes
because of mosquitos. Madam Chair, they certainly are suffering in Northgate
Ward, in the Deagon Ward and other wards close to the bay or where there is
water that lays around.
So, Madam Chair, you would recall that not long ago I presented a petition to
this Council Chamber that had 700 signatures, making it clear what they
expected this Council to do. You would think that you would see that reflected
in this budget. Madam Chair, you don't, you just don't see it, there's nothing. No
new ideas, nothing in here to reduce the mosquito problem in Brisbane.
Madam Chair, in that petition, you would recall that residents were calling for
Council to undertake a trial of runnelling to try and get rid of some of the flood
water that lays around after a flood, especially in my area around Kedron Brook,
Madam Chair.
If Councillor McLACHLAN or Councillor ADAMS wants me to show them
where we could do some runnelling to stop water from laying around for months
and months, I'd be happy to take them there. Of course, we know that the
State Government have produced guidelines for Councils to follow as far as
runnelling is concerned and I just don't know why there's no funding for even a
trial of runnelling in this budget. It's badly needed, Madam Chair. We know that
other councils have done it down the coast in Western Australia. It seems to
work all right; we should at least give it a go.
Because what we're offering up to the residents in this budget, as far as mosquito
control, is nothing, absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact, it's worse than
nothing—I'll get onto that. Now, Madam Chair, in that petition also you'll recall
that we need better funding of mosquito spraying. I know that
Councillor McLACHLAN gets up and he says, look the budget doesn't set any
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 241 limits for what the Council officers can spend as far as mosquito spraying is
concerned.
Madam Chair, this budget—after this debate today, Madam Chair, the people
who look at this budget are the Council officers. They look at what this Council
voted on what should be spent in the upcoming budget. To follow the argument
that Councillor McLACHLAN sometimes says that there's no limit, we just give
them whatever they want, Madam Chair, why do we even have a budget? Why
do we have a budget with figures in there telling Council officers what this
Council expects should be spent in the coming 12 months?
Madam Chair, we put figures in there saying this is what we think the officers
should be spending on the various programs, and it's the same for mosquito
spraying. It is very, very disappointing that we see that the boost to mosquito
and pest services that was in last year's budget, $139,000 was supposed to be
spent and in the forwards it had $144,000 for this year, $146,000 the year after
and $149,000 the year after that. That's completely disappeared.
Madam Chair, there's a small boost to the base funding but, Madam Chair, that's
going to fall way short of what Brisbane's residents expect this Council to be
spending on and actually performing actions out in the suburbs to reduce those
mosquitos.
Madam Chair, the other issue that I've raised before in this Chamber doesn't
seem to have been taken up by the Council, is that—a question of why don't we
have Council officers—Councillor MARX has just spoken, through all the
muddled vowels from New Zealand but she's doing pretty good, it's obvious
she's been here for a while. But, Madam Chair, I was able to decipher that she
spoke about Council officers coming and inspecting her pool.
Well, Madam Chair, why don't we have Council officers going round industrial
estates looking for pooling of water where mosquitoes are breeding? Now,
Madam Chair, we try to encourage residents to make sure that doesn't happen. I
don't think we're doing enough. But clearly the industrial estates that have got
small businesses and large businesses just trying to make a dollar, you've only
got to drive around in some of those estates to see the rubbish laying around,
and clearly there's water containers lying around.
I think that we have a responsibility to go around and make those businesses
clean up their mess where there's water laying around. In my ward, there's
plenty of those areas in Banyo, Northgate and Nundah, that I think that there
clearly needs to be a concerted effort by Council to address those issues.
So, Madam Chair, I just can't see anything new in this budget as far as
addressing the mosquito problem is concerned. When residents contact me—and
I'm sure they contact Councillor McLACHLAN as well, I know they contact
Councillor NEWTON—there's nothing in this budget that we can say, well look,
Council is actually acknowledging the problem you've got, we're allocating
more money, we're going to look at runnelling, we're going to do better
management of the spraying on mosquitos, we're going to get Council officers
going around looking for where water's laying around where mosquitos breed.
Madam Chair, there's nothing on that.
So, Madam Chair, mosquito control in this city, as I've said before, both sides of
the Council Chamber are at fault. This issue has not been taken seriously enough
by this Council for at least the last 50 years. It's time that we started taking the
matter seriously. While I've still got some breath in me until March next year,
I'll continue to keep arguing that this Council should be doing more for
mosquito management.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor McLACHLAN.
Councillor McLACHLAN:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I can't resist the opportunity to get up and speak
now to Program 5 following that speech from Councillor FLESSER. Although
the greatest disappointment of all is that he didn't go to his favourite pet subject
when it comes to mosquito control and that is the release of an illegal fish called
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 242 Gambusia. Where was the Gambusia, Councillor FLESSER? What a huge
disappointment that we didn't hear from you this time round, your great
suggestion of taking a fish that's regarded as the cane toad of the waterways and
releasing it into the wetlands so that it can gobble up everything in its path,
including occasionally mosquito larvae, but everything else would go as well.
All the eggs for all the other little critters out in the waterways would be
destroyed by the release of your favourite mosquito control program, the
Gambusia. Hugely disappointing, Councillor FLESSER that you didn't go to
that subject.
I did hear you, though, go to your other secondary pet subject and that is
runnelling, which is, as we know, a massive land form change, a change in the
land form throughout the wetlands, that effectively would destroy the wetlands.
Councillor NEWTON went there as well. So what the ALP is standing for in the
objective they're suggesting—although it didn't come up in any other forum
other than in today's debate—that to control mosquitoes in Brisbane, that we
should destroy the wetlands.
That is, they pretend to be friends of preservers of the environment, friends of
the conservationists. Yet when it comes to talking about solutions or potential
solutions, what they talk about is the destruction of the environment. That's a
complete and utter disgrace. Madam Chairman, we have had a Ross River fever
issue in Brisbane over the course of the summer, that's very true. It was also true
of the entire eastern seaboard.
It was true of everywhere from north of Bundaberg to Sydney. Sydney had its
highest Ross River fever statistics in exactly the same timeframe. Why was that?
Because along the entire eastern seaboard it was the wettest summer and early
autumn in history. It was extremely wet. What happens when it's wet? We get
mosquito breeding. This was true along the entire eastern seaboard,
Madam Chairman.
I know they'll say, oh you're just blaming the weather, in fact they were
Councillor NEWTON's words, blame the rain. Well look, I'll quote here
Nigel Beebe, the Vector Biologist at the University of Queensland who said, in
The Courier-Mail on 12 May, the mosquito explosion over summer and early
autumn had coincided with high populations or other insects such as butterflies
and grasshoppers. It's been a very good season for insects, he said. Well that's
true.
Look, if there was anything that was possible with the objective of reducing
mosquito populations in Brisbane, the entomologists that we employ—and we
are the only Council in Australia that employs medical entomologists to provide
us with advice on the world's best practice control mechanisms—we would do
it. We would do it.
Councillor FLESSER talks about a trial of runnelling. Well,
Councillor FLESSER well knows that we've been involved in a trial of
runnelling now for several years with the University of Southern Queensland
and our entomologists are monitoring that trial. If there's anything that comes
out of that trial that informs their thinking, their decision making about
alternatives to the existing program then they would recommend it to the
Council and we would adopt it.
But we don't believe that, and certainly it is not the advice of the entomologists,
that to undertake wholesale destruction of the wetlands is the way forward for
mosquito control. It is a complete and utter fallacy on their part to suggest that
there are alternatives to the program that we do undertake, which is to get up in
the choppers with spraying programs after wet weather, after high tides, that
gets to the mosquito larvae at the time just before they're about to get on the
wing as mosquitoes.
That is the best and most effective control mechanism for mosquitoes, that's
undertaken by the officers of Asset Services in the Field Services Group. So
Councillor FLESSER's point about getting around to all those other little wet
spots around the city, there are thousands and thousands of those that the Urban
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 243 Amenities crews get to on quad bikes. They undertook something like
75,000 treatments on those sites in 2014-15. That's a 52-week-of-the-year
program that's undertaken by Urban Amenities staff.
So for Councillor FLESSER to come in here, yet again, in his swansong speech
and to suggest that we should undertake instead of this successful program, a
wholesale—instead a wholesale destruction of the wetlands is, I've got to say,
despite the fact that this is his almost swansong, an absolute disgrace. Thank
you, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Just briefly, a couple of items on Program 5, Public Health and Safety. I also
would like to speak about our city's cemeteries just very briefly. The floods and
the storms have caused very significant damage to the South Brisbane Cemetery
which is, I think, the oldest in the city and is an historic cemetery on the south
side of Brisbane. This is not a well-maintained cemetery; either the grave sites
themselves or public access around the cemetery.
In writing to Council about this matter over the past few years, I've been told the
same thing which is, the graves are the responsibility of individuals to maintain.
Now in many cases though, these are historic plots and there are no families to
maintain them. As a result, they are falling into ruin. These are some of the
earliest settlers of our city. That's not good enough as far as I'm concerned. We
need to find a way to ensure that this historic cemetery is maintained.
But secondly and more importantly, the major problem, which is a direct
Council responsibility, is the unsafe public access through the South Brisbane
Cemetery. I've received multiple complaints by my residents who live on the
Fairfield side of the cemetery who, when visiting loved ones or walking through
the cemetery, have come across downed trees, broken footpaths, headstones that
have smashed and fallen over, that are blocking pathways, and the lack of safe,
universal access through the cemetery is a significant problem.
This has been neglected for many years; I'm not saying it's one person's problem
or anything like that, but it's a clear area of need. It was highlighted to me during
the floods, and then again with the super storm last year, that Council puts little
effort into maintaining safe access through this cemetery. So the paths need to
be fixed, we need to have a process for dealing with the history grave sites and
we certainly need to increase the safe thoroughfare through that site.
I'm certainly calling on Councillor ADAMS and the LORD MAYOR—who is
in the Chamber now, which is good—to do more to fix the access around one of
our city's most historic cemeteries, because it's not being done well enough at
the moment.
I just also want to briefly mention the suburban amenity and litter issues. I'm
starting to despair at the state of Rocklea and it's really disappointing. Between
Councillor GRIFFITHS and myself, I think we would be logging half a dozen
jobs a week about the level of rubbish in this suburb. I have 125 homes in my
part of Rocklea and certainly Councillor GRIFFITHS has a few more on his side
of Ipswich Road.
But this is a suburb that people live in and it's not a wealthy area by many
means. They're salt of the earth people but they love where they live, they're
proud of where they live. The footpath they have to get to the shops on or to the
bus stop is constantly coated in litter and rubbish.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, can you just explain to me what part of Program 5—
Councillor JOHNSTON:
5.1.2.2, local laws enforcement, suburban litter. I appreciate it's complicated,
Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Okay. I beg your pardon? Yes, I can see it.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Good, may I continue?
Chairman:
Waste collection is really—
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 244 Councillor JOHNSTON:
I'm not talking about waste collection, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
I'm not sure what you are referring to.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I'm not referring to waste collection, Madam Chairman, let me make it clear. I
am talking about Council officers attending, rapid response gangs, Council
waste teams, picking up rubbish that is all over our streets, the breaches of the
local laws by major businesses in that area that are going unenforced and the
amenity issues that should be enforced when it comes to litter in our suburbs,
Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, it was Program 1 that had—that would have been the
appropriate place to raise these issues, not Program 5.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman—
Chairman:
Yes?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Well, Madam Chairman, I'll be more specific then. In my view, the Brisbane
Markets have fallen down on their responsibility to keep Sherwood Road in
Rocklea clean, Madam Chairman. Now I wasn't going to be as specific as that,
but the markets are a significant rubbish generator in the middle of my ward and
week after week I lodge complaints about the waste that comes from their
premises and is strewn up and down Sherwood Road.
Now this is a local laws matter and this is something that I think this Council
can do more to enforce. I've been told that we've upped the collections and the
checking to twice a week, but every single day this area is filthy. I don't think
that is good enough and I don't think the officers in the rapid response gangs
should be called out repeatedly to deal with the situation. We need to do more
from an enforcement point of view to ensure that the local laws are being
enforced. That is what I'm talking about here.
I simply am identifying a problem. I know where the problem is,
Madam Chairman—
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order against you, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Yes, Councillor SIMMONDS.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
You've given plenty of latitude; Program 5 can't be an excuse to raise every
Compliance and Regulatory Services issue. This program doesn't involve
littering at all.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor SIMMONDS, I believe it's Program 1. However, there is a
section here that Councillor JOHNSTON is using which is page 106, City
Amenity and Food Safety. But—that's under the Suburban Amenity and Litter
Team project that she's referring to.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman, and to put on the record.
Chairman:
But I still think it's Program 1 what she's talking about.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Let me be clear, I'm going to quote from the budget book now. This is service
5.1.2.2, and this is the purpose of the program about which I am speaking:
“Response for amenity, litter and safety issues across Brisbane's suburbs.” Then
there is a line item that says, Suburban Amenity and Litter Team. There is
$904,000 of expenditure that is allocated to, presumably, responding to amenity
and litter issues in the city.
Now I don't know how on earth you can say I'm not talking to the relevant part
of the budget based on what's in the budget book before us today. I see
Councillor ADAMS shaking her head and all the rest of it. But,
Madam Chairman, I think I've made it pretty clear as to what I think the problem
is. My point here is that this Council needs to do more, the source of this
problem is well known to Council. I've called for additional rubbish bins, I've
done pretty much everything that I can do over the past eight years and it is clear
that this Council is not prepared to use its existing powers to take action.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 245 I think that more needs to be done and I am calling on the Councillor to do that
as part of the program in 2015-16.
Chairman:
Councillor MURPHY.
ADJOURNMENT:
697/2014-15
At that time, 3.14pm, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor MURPHY, seconded by Councillor Kim
MARX, that the meeting adjourn for a period of 15 minutes, to commence only when all Councillors had
vacated the Chamber and the doors have been locked.
Council stood adjourned at 3.15pm.
UPON RESUMPTION:
Chairman:
Is there any further debate on Program 5?
Councillor ADAMS, if you would like to sum up.
Councillor ADAMS:
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm happy to sum up and I realise that we are into the
last session for the afternoon, so I'll make it brief. But there were few things that
I did want to answer, some of the questions, some of the comments that were
made from those in the Chamber. First of all, I just would like to speak about
AWL and the euthanasia rates, yes, and thank you Councillor NEWTON for
your support of AWL, they are doing a wonderful job. But they have only been
in situ for 10 months, so we are looking forward to greater outcomes in the next
12 months.
I just wanted to get some of the numbers right down on the page, because there
wasn't a full amount of numbers given out in the session the other day, so there
was
some
misconception
from
Councillor
NEWTON
and
Councillor GRIFFITHS about the numbers of animals that we actually see
euthanised and what type of animals are euthanised as well. So yes, we do have
1,091 adopted of our 4,200 plus animals, we do have 2,350 plus reunited. I note
there was a comment from Councillor GRIFFITHS that we should be doing
more to reunite animals and their owners, but if owners don't want to be
reunited, which is many reasons why we end up with the animals being in the
shelter, there is nothing we can do about it. So we make sure we do everything
we can to reunite pets and their owners, but sometimes, unfortunately, the case
is that the owners don't want to be reunited with their pets as well. So our
adoption rates are definitely increasing.
We do have 55 per cent reunited of the animals that come into the shelter. Now
then, Councillor GRIFFITHS came up with the number of 793 for euthanised.
Well that's not the case. The actual euthanasia numbers are more around the
550 mark and I have to correct a statement made by Councillor NEWTON that
they are not suitable dogs and cats that are euthanised. No suitable dogs and cats
are euthanised. We still have over 550 dogs and cats that are not suitable. Now
I'm not talking about our feral cats, that is a separate number. This doesn't
include feral cats, but this is about dogs and cats that may be too old or diseased
or injured or may not have the right nature because they've been out too long to
actually be rehabilitated.
The one thing AWL does very, very well is to try and rehabilitate animals, but
sometimes that cannot be the case. We do know that training cats is a bit like
trying to herd cats; once they have their nature, they have that nature. So
unfortunately there is a certain amount of animals, dogs and cats, that get
euthanised, but they are not suitable animals for rehoming.
That leaves us with a number of just over 230 animals that are still in the shelter
that are not accounted for and they're the ones that are there, if you come along
to a Game of Bones weekend or get your lucky charm for St Patricks, that you
can adopt. They also have a fostering program, so there's a program where
people will take the animals temporarily, to look after them while they're
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 246 waiting for that special owner to come along as well. So there is a lot of
conjecture around the numbers there, but can I just make that very, very clear,
that it is not 793 for euthanised. The percentage is down to 14.25 per cent for
dogs, 20 per cent for cats. That is an outstanding improvement on what did see
in the last contract and I commend AWL for the work that they're doing.
Mosquitoes and pest services, Councillor NEWTON mentioned about the work
with Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. Yes, it was very disappointing
to see Ross River Virus increase last season, but unfortunately it is not a blame
game. It is what it is; it was a perfect ideal season for freshwater and saltwater
mosquito breeding conditions. It was warm, it was wet and it kept raining. So I
am quite a competent Chair, but I can't change the weather unfortunately.
But we do look at a lot of ways to try and mitigate the risk of Ross River Virus.
We will continue the land and aerial spraying, as said. We have extensive
fogging programs after rainfall, which deals with a lot of that as well. We work
very closely with QH around early detection testing for mosquito borne viruses
as well. So it is a really integral part that we work with QH. We monitor virus
detection traps, so we trap the mosquitoes to check if they are carrying the virus.
So we have very, very early warning points if there is going to be an outbreak
and what area they may be in. If they do carry, they become positive for the
infections, we make sure that with QH we get out and tell those local residents
quick-smart that they should really be taking proactive steps to minimise their
exposure to mosquito bites.
We do a lot of public education plans. I'm sure all of you heard it in the
programs last year around tipping out the water in your back yards, making sure
that you're covered up, making sure that you're using repellents and all of that
type of thing. So we are doing as much as we possibly can in this space. As I
said in my opening, this year was the most work we'd done in this space since
1998. We had those many, many years of drought and we're back to having to
deal with many, many months of wet weather and we are very proactively
working on trying to keep that down for Ross River virus.
Councillor GRIFFITHS mentioned the crime prevention planning services and
the safety audits and that I had no clue about what audits we were going to be
doing in the next 12 months. Well the reason is, is because there is very different
priorities for safety audits. There's definitely some audits on the list that could
be done, but if somebody calls in, if the police request an audit, or if there is a
reported incidence, or there is an ongoing concern that leads to significant
damaged to Council assets, we will prioritise that audit.
So again, no crystal ball to actually say what audits will be done in the next
12 months; we aim to get 25 done if that is what is requested. If there is more,
we will get more done. But it is about information gathering and making sure we
work with all our stakeholders to make sure we get those priority hotspots as
well. I would hope that we have less priority hotspots or incidents reported that
we have to go out and do audits for, but we are prepared and ready and ready on
this side to deal with it if we need to.
Councillor GRIFFITHS mentioned also the cemeteries. He was surprised that
there was only 60 complaints. We do work very hard in cemeteries,
Madam Chair, to deal with complaints instantly, but also proactively work on
maintaining our cemeteries as well. Yes, those issues that were called in were
around maintenance, memorabilia, sunken or damaged plaques and we respond
to them very quickly.
But we do have an issue and it is an issue that Councillor GRIFFITHS is very
aware of at Mt Gravatt Cemetery. It is a big cemetery on a big slope, so there is
always going to be a lot of sinking, there is always going to be difficulties if it's
too boggy to get into a grave. Again, I can't stop it raining. If it rains, the ground
gets wet. If it is too boggy, we can't brace a grave for a casket to go in. There is
also workplace health and safety for our officers and our staff that work at
cemeteries as well.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 247 What we are trying to do, as I explained on Monday as well, is make sure that
we get out there and we are working on beaming a lot of our plaques, which will
reduce the cracking on the plaques, that will increase our ability to maintain the
cemeteries around the mowing in between the beams so that they are looking
tidier, that it doesn't matter if it's a bit wet because it's a lot easier area to
maintain as well. But we have a rapid service response across all of our
12 cemeteries to make sure we can look at that prompt maintenance as well.
Last but not least, Madam Chair, the SALT. I just wanted to clarify because
there were some issues around what they could and could go out and do and fix
and it's not about rubbish on the side of the road; that is Program 1 and the work
that Asset Services do around tidying them up. The SALT is about the amenity
and the safety of Brisbane residents. It is about enforcement, but it can only be
enforcement if they see the people that actually flick the rubbish out the window
and that actually is the responsibility of probably all our different RRG officers.
Our SALT response to advertising material on Council assets, that may not be
placed in letterboxes properly, unsightly and overgrown land, amenity issues
such as car shells, rubbish resulting in unsightly streetscapes where it's
obviously been dumped, so an issue where somebody decides they're going to
call it a kerbside collection if it really isn't a kerbside collection, that's something
that the SALT guys can go and look at. Rubbish bins, containers, shopping
trolleys left on footways, things that they can track and investigate and maintain,
not just your rubbish that's on the road. If there is litter hotspots where
somebody is doing significant dumping, absolutely, SALT team to come in. But
general untidiness along roadsides and around specific areas is something that's
dealt with in Program 1.
Madam Chair, I have to say, I'm very proud of Program 5 and its commitment to
making sure public health risks are reducing in Brisbane and that Brisbane is a
place where everyone feels safe, without fear for their personal safety or their
property security and I recommend the program to the Chamber.
Chairman:
I will put the motion for the adoption of the Public Health and Safety program.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Public Health and Safety program
and it was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Ryan MURPHY and Kim MARX immediately rose and called for a division, which
resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 25 -
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Steve GRIFFITHS,
Victoria NEWTON, Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
6. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM:
698/2014-15
Councillor Julian SIMMONDS, Chairman of the Finance, Economic Development and Administration
Committee moved, seconded by Councillor Angela OWEN-TAYLOR, that for the services of the Council, the
allocations for the Operations and the Projects for the year 2015-16 and the Rolling Recurrent Operations
Contracts and the Rolling Projects for the Economic Development program as contained on pages 111 to 121 so
far as they relate to Program 6, be adopted.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 248 Chairman:
Is there any debate?
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I will try and get through a vast array
of material as quickly as I possibly can because I realise that we're coming up to
five o'clock and I want to give people as much time to participate in this debate
as possible because it's a very important program.
I do hope that those opposite take their responsibilities a little bit more seriously
than they did during the information session when we saw the farcical situation
where two Councillors on that side of the Chamber teamed up to ask me a
question for the second and third time to make sure that they wasted not only
their time, but everybody else's in the information session. We even went as far
as to see the total irrelevance of the contribution from the independent
Councillor when she fell asleep during the information session.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, you're on a warning, remember?
Councillor SIMMONDS:
Such is the irrelevance of the contribution from that side of the Chamber.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SIMMONDS:
So I rise to speak in strong support of Program 6, Madam Chairman, which
plays an incredibly important role for Brisbane businesses and residents in terms
of promoting investment and creating jobs in this city. It is something that this
Administration has been committed to over the last number of budgets,
Madam Chairman, and we can remain committed to it again this year with a
significant funding increase across the program. It is of course a very broad
program, Program 6; it covers a number of key areas that I want to focus on this
afternoon.
Firstly, the Economic Development team, very ably headed up by Shawn Day
and the rest of the crew who do a fantastic job supporting particularly the small
to medium businesses of our city. We do this through a variety of programs that
are funded throughout the 2015-16 Budget in Program 6. These include the
Lord Mayor's Business Forums, the Lord Mayor's Business Excellence
Workshops, which are both initiatives of this particular Administration, we also
have the Lord Mayor's Business Awards and the Lord Mayor's Multicultural
Business Awards as well.
In particular, the LORD MAYOR's small business forums are a highlight.
They've achieved a satisfaction rating amongst participants of 94 per cent for
small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and have been attended by many hundreds
of SMEs from across our suburbs. It's an opportunity for us to go out into the
suburbs and to take senior Council officers with us and connect directly with
SMEs in their particular locations, wherever they may be, to make sure that we
can address some of their issues in detail.
Of course it's equally important as well as connecting to SMEs and talking with
them, it's increasingly important that we continue our agenda of cutting red tape
and the costs that there are to do business with Council. So we've put significant
emphasis on rolling out our online forms, our SMART forms, of which there are
already 37 available and we're very pleased with the take up of that particularly
initiative. We'll see an accelerated funding in this particular program for this
initiative to continue to bring those forward.
Then of course we have the malls team, headed up by John Dwyer and his,
again, set of very hard working Council officers. You don't get Australia's most
successful mall, Madam Chairman, without a lot of hard work from people,
whether they be involved in the cleaning or the activation or the retail space. So
we do continue to invest in these key precincts, China Town Mall,
Brunswick Street Mall and the Queen Street Mall. We saw a significant program
of that in the last 12 months, so we saw the completion of the Brunswick Street
Mall upgrade and we'll now see as part of the 2015-16 Budget, the ongoing
activation of that space, not just in our ongoing events program, but also through
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 249 the new pods that are being rolled out to activate the daytime economy. The
latest one, we already had the Tuckeria in place, but the latest one is a
community pod which will be leased out for activation, for example, concerts
and displays, there's also a mini Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in there as
well, Councillor HOWARD tells me.
Then in the Queen Street Mall, well again, that's been a hive of activity for the
last 12 months as well. We've seen the brand new tenancy, the brand new
Jimmy's on the Mall being constructed and we've seen the removal of the old the
old tenancy as well as the old VIC, which is currently ongoing. We've seen the
VIC move into a brand new location, the old Regent Theatre, which
incorporates a fantastic bit of local Brisbane heritage, with a welcoming mat,
what is essentially a welcoming mat for visitors to our city. It's now twice the
size, it has much better facilities particularly for our volunteers, such as the
volunteer staff who man the VIC, but also the greeters as well, and they'll have
much better facilities.
I'm particularly pleased that the 2015-16 Budget contains a brand new initiative
to provide free city-wide Wi-Fi. So the free Wi-Fi that we've currently provided
that goes across Queen Street Mall and across the bridge and into Southbank has
been the most successful Wi-Fi location of all our hotspots. We also have it in
our parks and our libraries. But since its introduction, the Queen Street Mall has
overtaken all of those and been incredibly popular, not just with visitors to our
city but also the people working in the CBD who are using the mall to check
their emails and do things at lunchtime as well. So we'll see significant
investment by this budget to roll it out to the broader CBD peninsula so we can
join other cities, other very successful cities, both in Australia and across the
world, in having a free Wi-Fi network available to visitors and residents to our
city, particularly in our CBD heart.
The budget also contains $7.3 million to continue to fund the Queen Street Mall
operations which, as I mentioned, are very significant and very diverse. So that
includes seven staff, landscaping including nine changeovers of garden beds,
management of the City Safe sites, which includes 24/7 security via two security
guards and the maintenance of 53 cameras. They also manage vehicle access
onto the mall, hoarding activities, outdoor dining permits, restaurant leases, the
24/7 cleaning of the Queen Street Mall, which again is a 24/7 operation. They
also manage things like the activation, the farmer's markets, the maintenance
and also the Wi-Fi service as I pointed out as well. So that team will continue to
receive the funding that they need to do that.
In terms of the activation, well there'll be a $5.2 million injection thanks to this
particular program, which will see us deliver again more than 1,000 events
across the financial year, in fact closer to, or a little bit over, 1,150 events across
the financial year and almost 3,500 performances in the mall alone. So some of
our favourites will be back, including the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival, our
two-week Christmas program which is a big highlight of the year, things like the
Valentine's Day campaign and also campaigns around Easter and Mother's Day
and also the very successful Show Your Colours program which is around
Origin time as well.
In the Valley, we'll continue to see the events like Chinese Moon Festival, the
Valley Fiesta and Diwali Festival as well, as well as the Chinese Lunar New
Year. These kind of events allow not only the Chinese community but the entire
multicultural community to showcase their diversity and talents and for all
Brisbane residents to enjoy what those communities have to offer. We'll
continue to roll those out in the China and Brunswick Street Malls.
Then of course the other component of Program 6 is Brisbane Marketing and
implementing the Vision 2022 New World City Report which has just been
received by the LORD MAYOR. This is headed up by the Chairman for
Brisbane Marketing, Ian Klug and their CEO, John Aitken, who lead a very able
team who are kicking a lot of goals over there in Brisbane Marketing. In fact, in
this financial year 2014-15, the efforts that they've undertaken throughout the
financial year are trending towards a total economic growth, adding a total
economic growth for our city of $854 million for a total return on investment of
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 250 $49 for every $1 this city invests, which is a fantastic return on investment and a
fantastic investment for our ratepayers to continue to make.
I hear them making comments on the other side of the Chamber,
Madam Chairman, so if you don’t believe me that it's an investment that we
need to make, maybe they will believe one of their trusted colleagues, the
Honourable Kate Jones, Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Small
Business, when she says this, just on 21 June, here's what she said: “TEQ and
our RTOs have been working to build the sector and should be proud of the
positive data but they also need support and certainty to continue to grow. Now
is not the time to cut their funding.” She's talking about Tourism Events
Queensland, obviously; they're the State Government's marketing arm.
She goes on to say: “The Palaszczuk Government is determined to grow tourism
in our state because we know it supports more than 200,000 Queensland jobs.
During the election campaign we committed to boosting tourism funding and I
will continue to lobby my Cabinet colleagues to support the tourism industry.”
Well here, here, Madam Chairman. I mean, it does support jobs in our city; the
tourism jobs that make up this incredibly important industry, not only service
that industry but also the flow-on retail and restaurant jobs that it provides as
well. It is important—just like the Labor State Government recognises—it is
important that we, as the Council, recognise that the city has a role to play in
supporting those jobs, supporting that investment, Madam Chairman.
Because it is—sure it's the easy political road to have a go at the marketing
spend, Madam Chairman, and the investment that we make into Brisbane
industry and I hope, I sincerely hope, that rather than that, the Councillors on the
opposite side of the Chamber, will support us in promoting investment and jobs
in our city and not take the politically expedient line the same way that their
state colleagues have rejected it and are supporting these kind of activities.
So, as part of the rollout for the Vision 2022 action plan provided for in Program
6, remember that this blueprint was brought together by over 1,000 leaders of
the Brisbane community from 500 organisations. They are their
recommendations for how we continue to grow our city and we are very pleased
to see a significant injection of funds in the LORD MAYOR's 2015-16 Budget
in order to implement some of those things.
They include a significant package to support some of the growth sectors in our
city, including energy and resources, higher and international education, creative
and digital, food and agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing,
Madam Chairman, as well as the significant package for SMEs. We'll continue
to position ourselves in the Asia Pacific as we need to do. We'll have a very
stark example of that with the Asia Pacific cities summit that's coming up in
early July, but we also have events like the Asia Pacific Screen Awards,
Madam Chairman, which we are growing into one of the premier events for the
region. So that's continuing to be funded in this budget as well.
Some of our favourite programs, like the CoderDojo program, we'll see that
expanded from 600 graduates every year to 1,200 graduates every year. That
might ramp up over a couple of financial years, but that is our aim. It's very
heavily reliant on getting the volunteer mentors that we need, Madam Chairman,
but the success of this program, in terms of the success, we are booking out the
sessions somewhere in between a One Direction concert and the Story Bridge
event pretty much; were in the middle, Madam Chairman. The Story Bridge is a
little bit faster than us, but we're still better than some of those fantastic events
such as how popular it is to kids aged seven to 17 that they learn how to code.
We've also got our Visiting Entrepreneurs program as well, which will continue
to see local businesses and local entrepreneurs provided with the opportunity to
speak with some world leaders right here in our own backyard. We'll also see a
brand new program come called Brisbane Entrepreneurship 101 which will be a
training program, which again we can add to the skills of Brisbane.
At the end of the day, Madam Chairman, that's what we want to focus on. An
entrepreneur will have 1,000 different business ideas. He or she will have
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 251 business ideas, some of them work, some of them will fail, that is the nature of
being an entrepreneur. But if we, as a city, continue to invest in that person's
skills and knowledge, then, Madam Chairman, we will always see a return on
that investment.
We'll also continue the very successful Study Brisbane program which involves
not only attracting students and working with our educational institutions, but
also welcoming them, making sure they have a very friendly environment in
Brisbane and they know that when they come here to study that they leave with
a friend for life in our city and they become, in turn, our advocates back in their
home country and to their friends and family. There is nothing like a
word-of-mouth recommendation, Madam Chairman, for anything, whether it be
for a restaurant or whether it be in support of the city. So that is what we're
trying to achieve.
Madam Chairman, I'd like to finish up my opening remarks by again thanking
all the officers involved in Program 6. They do a tremendous job and they've
had some fantastic achievements this financial year. I know they will put the
additional funding provided by the LORD MAYOR in the 2015-16 Budget to
very, very good use and I would urge the entire Chamber to support Program 6.
Thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate on Program 6?
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Well it goes side to side, is there anyone—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
No, Councillor SIMMONDS has just presented it.
Councillor SUTTON—I know it's getting late in the day, Councillor DICK,
but—
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
Look, Madam Chair, I'm happy to rise and enter the debate on Program 6,
Economic Development. I guess there is a bit in here, a significant part of the
budget information sessions focused on the Brisbane 2022 New World City
Action Plan and some of the achievements or some of the goals and objectives
that this Administration wants to see out of that. I guess from the Labor
administration's point of view, we will be tracking the performance of delivery
against these goals and whether or not this Vision 2020 project delivers on all
the promises that the LORD MAYOR and Councillor SIMMONDS are
asserting it will.
Because time and time again we see this LORD MAYOR stand up and
announce glossy brochures that quickly go nowhere and gather dust on a shelf.
We know that this Vision 2020 document cost more than $50,000 to produce, so
we want to make sure it goes somewhere and we want to make sure that we're
actually delivering on the promises that they are saying it will deliver.
Certainly we have concerns in this portfolio that yet again Brisbane Marketing's
budget continues to increase this year to more than $25.6 million across a whole
range of things and I guess the thing about Brisbane Marketing, that when we
talk about Brisbane Marketing in here, our concern has always been that there is
an over-focus on the CBD and CBD activities. The Christmas program, it's a
very good Christmas program, but what do we do to bring alive our suburban
villages? There are many great parts of Brisbane, not just the CBD.
Council, through the Future Brisbane portfolio, invests money in Suburban
Centre Improvement Schemes. We have many vibrant villages across our city.
I'm privileged to represent one of them, being Oxford Street, Bulimba, but in our
experience and my experience in talking to traders and people who were
members of Brisbane Marketing, they have not remained members of Brisbane
Marketing because they felt that membership to Brisbane Marketing offered
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 252 them no benefits and they are conversations that I have had with a number of
Bulimba retailers who decided to give Brisbane Marketing a try and join the
membership and felt that it did not deliver in terms of their expectations and did
not deliver in terms of assisting Bulimba as a precinct go ahead.
Where the opposition would like to see Brisbane Marketing or what the
opposition would like to see Brisbane Marketing do is actually let's focus on and
revive a number of these suburban villages. They are also a part of the unique
Brisbane experience. I don't recall seeing Brisbane Greeters taking tourists over
to Bulimba for a day out. I don’t recall the Brisbane Greeters program taking
them or have not heard of any discussion about Bulimba Greeters taking any
tourist groups out to any of our suburban villages. It may be that there is one or
two around the place, but certainly it's a scattered gun approach and not a
strategically planned exercise that really aims to position all of our villages.
Rather, it is this over-focus on the CBD and what can be done here.
These are retailers that are paying; for those centres that have got skips, they are
paying their levy to Brisbane City Council every year for the skip and still they
do not feel that there is benefit in it. It costs $375 for businesses to join
Brisbane Marketing, so in addition to the $25.6 million that Brisbane Marketing
gets from this Council, their membership, it costs $375 for our small businesses
to become members of this and that's a lot of money for small businesses to pay
if Brisbane Marketing isn't giving back. I would be really interested to see the
turnover figures and the figures in terms of once you become a member of
Brisbane Marketing, how long do you stay a member of Brisbane Marketing,
particularly for suburban businesses that may join up and trial it. I would be
really interested to see that.
It may not bear out, but I would think that based on the conversations I've had
with my local retailers, that you would find a pretty rapid drop off rate.
Likewise, Brisbane Marketing, despite the millions of dollars it gets from this
City Council, it doesn't go out and do all of this stuff for the goodness of its
heart to support all these retailers; they actually pay for membership. I've noted
the $375 just to become a networking member, but to be become a leisure
tourism member, it costs $1,320, to become a convention member, it costs
$1,995 and to become a Study Brisbane member, it costs $1,025. This is a lot of
money to pay if you're a small business trying to get in or a business trying to
get into this space if Brisbane Marketing doesn't decide to pay some attention to
you and your business in terms of what it's trying to achieve.
So really, there is not a lot of opportunities for members of the community to
actually interrogate down these facts. We get piecemeal presentations on
different aspects of what we're doing, but in terms of being able to say, question
and interrogate on some of those real key performance indicators, the
opportunities for us are quite limited.
So we will be watching, we will be watching the rollout of this program. As I
said, there was a lot of focus on the Vision 2022 program and in terms of Wi-Fi,
the rollout of Wi-Fi, well that is expected. I mean I know that the LNP
Administration like to say that the Labor Councillors are against Wi-Fi, that has
never, ever been the case.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor SUTTON:
That has never ever been the case. That has never, ever been the case.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor SUTTON:
What we questioned was the rollout of Wi-Fi in the budget immediately
following the 2011 floods where we still had parks that still had to be repaired
and rehabilitated and we questioned the priority of rolling out a new Wi-Fi
program in our parks—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 253 Councillor SUTTON:
—when there were still parks that were severely flood damaged that had not
been fixed. So I take the opportunity to set the record straight on that and
actually—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor KING.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well Councillor KING, I know that you don’t like playing with your kids, okay?
You said that in your budget debate—
Chairman:
No.
Councillor MURPHY:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Point of order against you. Order.
Councillor MURPHY:
That is extremely offensive and I ask the Councillor withdraw that immediately.
Councillor SUTTON:
Well she said it, she said it in here.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON—Councillor KING—
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor KING.
Councillor interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor KING, I'm speaking to you.
Councillor SUTTON:
You want to talk about what mothers say to other mothers in this place?
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Do you want to go there?
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor SUTTON:
Let's do that on Councillor KNAPP's final day in this place, shall we?
Chairman:
Councillor SUTTON. Listen to me. When I speak, you stop. Whatever context
that was said in, I don't think it's relevant or appropriate in this debate and I
would ask you to withdraw it. Thank you.
Councillor SUTTON:
I will withdraw it and apologise for Councillor KING for any offence that the
statement caused.
Chairman:
Thank you, Councillor SUTTON.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: I also find Councillor SUTTON's comments about Councillor KNAPP to be
offensive and I ask her to withdraw those.
Councillor SUTTON:
I'm not withdrawing those. Sorry, I'm not.
Chairman:
Look, let's just get on with it. Thank you, Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor SUTTON:
So where was I? I've lost track. Wi-Fi in parks, so certainly we support the
rollout of the Wi-Fi strategy, that is something that all modern cities should be
doing. In fact I know the LNP Administration like to get up and pat themselves
on the back about it, but in a modern technology savvy city, this is something
that we absolutely should be doing.
But what we want to do and what we want to make sure doesn't happen in this
Vision 2022 strategy is that these initiatives like Championing Brisbane,
$3.5 million doesn't just become an opportunity to roll LORD MAYOR
Graham QUIRK's face out among the entire Brisbane community in the lead up
to the next Council election. Because if that starts happening, we will really
have to start looking at misuse of ratepayers funds—yes, giant light shows and
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 254 all the rest of it, certainly this is an opportunity for Brisbane, but it should not be
an opportunity for Councillor Graham QUIRK's re-election strategy and that is
our real concern about this. These glossy brochures, you see it in the Living in
Brisbane where every month it comes out, Graham QUIRK's picture is, sorry
LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK—
Chairman:
Councillor—thank you.
Councillor SUTTON:
LORD MAYOR, sorry, I caught myself, LORD MAYOR Graham QUIRK's
picture just keeps on getting bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger. So I really
think that we need to be careful and guard against that in terms of the delivery of
this program.
Chairman:
Further debate?
DEPUTY MAYOR.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
Yes, Madam Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to rise in support of Program
6, Economic Development. I think I might have said this last year about the
program, but this program is all about growing the pie and by growing the pie, I
mean growing the economy of our city so that there's more wealth, jobs and
opportunity to go round for all Brisbane residents. Labor and their approach has
generally been about carving up the pie, we're about growing the pie and carving
up the pie is a very short term solution because you eventually run out of pie.
That's why we see their magic pudding policies that are unfunded and un-costed.
We want to grow the pie and grow the economy of Brisbane.
That economy is not just based here in the CBD, it's based right across the
suburbs of Brisbane in the small business areas, in the industrial areas and we
want to work with those people and those business owners to make sure that
we're delivering for them and assisting them where we can. There are certain
levers that we can pull as a Council that can help, but there are other levers that
are beyond our control and are controlled at the State and Federal level. So it's
about targeting what we can actually achieve to assist business in a practical
way.
We want to create a supportive business environment and we have introduced a
number of initiatives in this budget program, particularly as part of Vision 2022
to achieve that outcome.
I would say that Vision 2022 has some great initiatives in it. Those initiatives
were developed not by this Council, but through extensive consultation with the
business community, including the small business community; over 1,000
different businesses and business people were involved in putting input into that
strategy, so it wasn't our strategy, it was a strategy developed which we
facilitated but developed by the business sector of this city.
That is a great thing and it's a positive thing because strategies that are cooked
up by governments, without consultation, often fall flat, they don't work, they
don't hit the right notes. But when you get a strategy like this and a vision like
this that is developed intensively and facilitated with the business people of the
city and as I said, including the small business operators out there, then it has a
greater chance of being effective and successful.
I know that this program supports the digital agenda that we've had for a number
of years now and that is a very positive thing. The rollout of Wi-Fi in the CBD
is part of that agenda and a great outcome. I'm glad to hear that Labor is now on
board with Wi-Fi. It is a big policy change on their part and look, in the end, I
won't blame them for the time they took to come around but at least they've
come around, and I say thank you, because it is a positive thing. It's positive not
only for the residents of Brisbane that make use of it, but it is particularly
positive for visitors to our city.
If you're out and about in the CBD, you'll often see visitors logging onto their
Facebook or Instagram and uploading photos of our city, spreading the message
around the world about this great city. So we're going to make it easier for them
to communicate that message, they can do it for free through our free Wi-Fi
network.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 255 The multiplier effect that that has on the city's reputation and image is
important. So it's not just something that's free for Brisbane residents, it's also
providing a free service for visitors that will help enhance their experience of the
city and help them communicate the message of our great city further afield to
their friends and relatives back home.
I'm also particularly keen to see the funding in here for—on page 118 for a
regional approach. That is really important because we live at the centre of a
South-East Queensland region which is home to one in seven Australians and
has some of the largest and most influential councils in Australia, in this region.
Through the leadership of LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk, all of the mayors of
the region have come together and are cooperating to develop strategies in a
whole range of different areas.
One of the most exciting strategies for me is the fact that we're now working on
a new model of infrastructure funding. I mentioned this in Council just recently
when the Vision 2022 report came out and that new model of funding,
potentially if we could get State Government support for it, will free up a whole
range of new funding for infrastructure projects that will boost the economy of
this city.
It's about an earn-back scheme whereby councils that invest in infrastructure can
help earn back some of the returns in terms of economic growth and growth in
revenues and taxes, so that that money can be reinvested into infrastructure.
Then it starts a cycle of investment that is so positive for the economy. So I'm
particularly keen to see that progressing.
We obviously had the operation of the Queen Street and Valley Malls, including
the China Town Mall and the Brunswick Street Mall, funded in this program.
These malls are really a great asset for our city. When you go to other cities, it is
quite clear that these malls are extremely popular and extremely successful. The
Queens Street Mall in particular is one of the world's most successful pedestrian
malls. It was only recently that the investors in the NEXT Hotel, who are based
in Singapore, when they launched that hotel, claimed that their research
internationally put our mall right up there in the top 10 most successful malls in
the world.
That's their own research and they obviously research before they make an
investment like buying a hotel right on the mall. So that is really good to hear.
But there's not all good news in this program. Because there is a cloud coming.
That cloud is the fact that this program will be scrapped if Labor gets into office.
This program will be scrapped, Brisbane Marketing will be scrapped and the
money will be spent, they'll be dividing up the pie, like I said. The money will
be spent on other things and that will be a very short-sighted decision for the
city.
We know they want to do a smash and grab job on Brisbane Marketing, just like
they want to do a smash and grab job on CBIC. So they want to kill the golden
geese of Council that are generating wealth and returns for the city. But the
interesting thing is, and Councillor SIMMONDS also touched on that, is that
their position is inconsistent with Labor's positions on these type of matters at
different levels of government.
So when the State Labor Government got into office, were they—did they say
they were going to scrap Tourism and Events Queensland because it was a waste
of money? No, they promised to spend $40 million extra boosting funding for
Tourism and Events Queensland.
Councillors interjecting.
DEPUTY MAYOR:
I don't know, you tell me, it's a Labor promise. The ABC can't be wrong, except
when it comes to Q&A. But the Labor Government is all about jobs, that's what
they've told us. They're focusing on creating jobs, and I commend them for that
approach, and that's what we're about as well. But we stand united in our focus
on creating jobs. Now, Labor at the state level promised to create 32,000 new
jobs, you don't do that by scrapping the economic development agency of the
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 256 city, you don't do that by scrapping or reducing funding for agencies like
Tourism and Events Queensland.
They've also promised something similar to what we're trying to do with start-up
businesses as well. We want to support start-up businesses, particularly in the
tech space, and at the state level Labor's announced that they will promise to
build a new start-up fund that co-invests with new businesses. So essentially, the
Labor Government wants to put in money to help businesses start up on a
50-50 basis. So they'll become investors in those new businesses.
So that is probably going one step further than what we're going here, but it
shows that we're on the right track. Labor is not only doing what we want to do
here, they're going to the next step at the State level by investing in new
businesses. So that says that Labor Party policy supports what we're trying to do
here. It's a pity that the Labor team in Council is not on board with this program
and the absolute importance of this program.
It's interesting, when I was looking for other Labor commitments on economic
development, I noticed that there was an article in the Brisbane Times which
listed all of the policy initiatives. This was dated 30 January and Brisbane Times
compared LNP policies with Labor policies. I was looking down the list to see
what policies were relevant, and this one came out.
Quote, there were no public transport policies announced by Labor during the
election campaign.
Chairman:
DEPUTY MAYOR, your time has expired.
Thank you, Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Well thank you, Madam Chair, and I rise to speak on Program 6, Economic
Development. There has been a lot of discussion about what the State
Labor Government has done to justify the expenditure in this program item, and
I do need to set the record straight. The DEPUTY MAYOR was correct that
there was an injection in Events Queensland and tourism funding. I'll tell the
Chamber why that was, because the LNP ripped out $50 million in funding.
I found this surprising because Councillor SCHRINNER was reading from a
press release and the press release which he was reading from was entitled, LNP
plan to cut tourism budget in half. Could you be honest—and he's nodding, and
he's agreeing with it now. He said, well technically that's right.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
No, your whole justification of spending this money is because State Labor was
injecting money and that's your justification for spending money. That's your
logic. Because the state Labor government was injecting all of this money, we're
entitled to spend it here as well.
Well you can't even get your stories right when it comes to justification of a
huge amount of money. This year alone, $25 million of ratepayers' funds. You
say it is money well spent, we say on behalf of the ratepayers, there should be
better results and better outcomes for the expenditure of that fund.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
We know during the budget information sessions we simply cannot get any
straight answers from the Brisbane Marketing. Over the years that I've sat
through that, no Brisbane Marketing executive will ever be allowed to be
questioned or challenged. There is no huge breakdown of what the expenditure
is. We know that year in, year out that most of the information is hidden from
the public and we simply say there should be more accountability and an open
and transparent process when it comes to ratepayers' funds.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
I want to come back to a couple of items, now that we've dispelled this nonsense
that somehow the State Labor Government is investing. They are, and I tell you
why they have to invest in this program, is because the LNP at a state level that
they're so happy to quote from cut funding by 50 per cent. So once again, Labor
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 257 is cleaning up the mess of the LNP. Once again, we're seeing that, time and time
again.
So let's just deal with the facts in this budget as well. So now we're looking at
page 115 of the budget and I want to talk about 6.4, delivering world class
economic precincts on page—as I said, page 115, delivering world class
economic precincts. We heard a lot about it, in last year's budget, and not a lot in
this year's budget—remember the big fanfare about the CBD Economic
Development Board and the Fortitude Valley Economic Development Board.
Remember the great geniuses of appointing Phil Di Bella as the chairman and
what a debacle that was during the last budget?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
That's right, and another—that other LNP hack John Cotter, who was
appointed—
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, I think that's going a bit too far.
Councillor DICK:
Sorry, Madam Chair, I'll correct it and say, that well known LNP former
pre-selection candidate and office bearer within the LNP. Okay. So he's not a
hack but he holds significant positions and has attempted to run for the LNP.
So we know that and—sorry, I should correct the record as well, Mr Di Bella is
a well-known LNP fundraiser—donor to the LNP.
Chairman:
Just remember we don't have any parliamentary privilege in this place,
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Well if I'm wrong, the—well I'm only going from Electoral Commission
records. So that's fine, and he's entitled to do that. He's a private citizen and
that's declared and it's all for the world to see and people are entitled to donate to
political parties any way they see fit, and I respect that. However, we haven't
heard a lot of information or a lot of outcomes as a result of the CBD Economic
Development Board, in the LORD MAYOR's speech last year; big
announcements, big fanfare, may have unravelled through the media as a result
of their appointments. However, we have yet to see what the direct benefit from
those.
Now we also still have the Valley Mall advisory committees and the Queens
Street Mall advisory committees. Remember those? They're actually statutory
bodies which in my eight years inside Council, since I've been on them, has met
I think once. Once.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Since I was appointed and twice in Councillor ABRAHAMS', since she's been
appointed to those boards. They obviously have been scrapped or inactive by the
LNP—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Well I'm not sure but there has not been—they have not been functioning, put it
that way, in my opinion. So once again we see big announcements, big huge
fanfares and then year after year, quietly rolled around until the lead up to the
budget and then new glossy reports presented and provided by the LNP, great
media opportunities for the LNP inside this Council, great media opportunities
for the LORD MAYOR, absolutely, sure.
But our point is, the work and the outcomes, particularly in Brisbane Marketing,
should be more than just media announcement and media stunts. That's all
Brisbane Marketing has become, disappointingly—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Well disappointingly, we're seeing more and more announcements but less and
less outcomes. We've seen the budget increase dramatically over the years, since
my time in Council, $13 million then right up until over $25 million. Now you
only need to go out into the community and ask what do people think they are
getting in return. People genuinely, genuinely, particularly small businesses
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 258 across the city, are genuinely concerned about that level of funding being poured
into one organisation, very well-paid directors, very well-paid officials, and we
know, from over the years when you look at some of the outcomes and you look
at some of what the decisions were—remember it was only a couple of years
ago where we exposed the fact $100,000 was written for a Brisbane Marketing
handbook about how to answer the phone.
We know that, we remember that when it’s front page of the MX. We know that
there are examples time and time again where we're—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
That's right, and that great marketing exercise where we did a huge research
analysis of what the Council should call the city, spent about $100,000 on that
and the great result out of that was we were going to end up calling the city, the
city. That's what we ended up with.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
So talk about tackling the tough issues. So we simply say on this side of the
Chamber, when it comes to delivery and when it comes to outcomes, it is simply
found wanting when it comes to such a huge amount of funding of $25 million.
So I don't want any more lectures from the LNP about what state Labor
Government is doing. They could take a good leaf out of what the state Labor
Government is doing and is providing that leadership, because they're doing a
lot to clean up the mess that the LNP delivered upon not only this state but also
we of course know the architect of that began here in City Hall. But thanks
heavens the people of Brisbane and the people of Queensland saw through that
just like they're going to see through at next March 2016 election.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor COOPER.
Councillor COOPER:
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I rise to speak to Program
6. I particularly want to, of course, first of all congratulate the LORD MAYOR
and Councillor SIMMONDS and all of the officers who worked so very hard to
prepare this particular program for the budget process. So congratulations to all
of them.
Because of course this program is about something very important to our city.
It's about a commitment, it's about ensuring that as our city continues to grow,
that we invest in our city's economic prosperity and future. Because if we were
to just leave it to market forces, things would happen, absolutely. But we want
to make sure that things happen in a way that really does facilitate a city that
will absolutely deliver on that new-world city commitment that we have for
Brisbane.
So of course, we have a whole range of different items within Program 6. We
particularly have got some excellent outcomes with continuing to see our city
centre be a tourism mecca. I know that it seems that there's a lot of debate from
the Australian Labor Party, they don't seem to want to encourage tourism
opportunities in our city. But of course for those of us who are sensible and
practical people, we know that it's a great opportunity to show case Brisbane.
Of course, the standard of cleanliness in our city has been—and maintenance, of
course—has been the subject of some debate. But I think we should be
incredibly proud of what we see now. Certainly with the appointment of the city
centre place manager, that was an initiative of this Administration, to make sure
that we have people who are personally responsible for ensuring that our city
looks fantastic seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
In particular, this program service 6.4.4.1 talks about the city centre place
management. So of course I think that's something that we should all be
incredibly happy to see in our city.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 259 Now we know that the Australian Labor Party likes to describe parking costs as
a tax. They think it's terrible that people should pay to park in our city centre and
they say the impact on retailers is a terrible thing. But, however, they don't seem
to support the LORD MAYOR's investment in our city's premier retail precinct.
So of course they have two different fundamentally opposing views in relation
to this matter.
So we have a vision for our city centre and our vision for our city is absolutely
embodied in the 2022 New World City Action Plan. Now this wasn't something
that was created by Brisbane City Council officers. This was a creation of over
1,000 participants. So all of these people from business sectors, from
community sectors, a whole range of people gave up their free time—they freely
gave of their time to participate in this process to make sure that we continue to
look at opportunities to grow employment and economic investment
opportunities in our city.
We hear scorn poured upon those people, those people who gave so generously
of their time to prepare this document, we hear scornful remarks from the
Australian Labor Party. But perhaps they have no respect for people who
genuinely have a commitment towards our beautiful city. Now there were
significant outcomes of this document with specific industries being identified
to ensure that our city continues to be a globally-facing economy. Of course
those are all outlined in the report.
Particularly, I'd like to focus on things that I think are important to understand.
That is absolutely about ensuring excellent collaboration between industry
sectors. To make sure that we capitalise on our proximity to Asia and of course
our opportunity to be seen as a gateway city to this rapidly expanding economic
growth tiger.
In particular, Brisbane has very much a point of difference than other Australian
cities and I think we should absolutely seize that opportunity. We of course want
our city to be a city that is an exciting and dynamic destination for residents and
tourists alike. There's a whole range of events that we are seeing that are being
delivered, such as Brisbane International, Brisbane Open House, something
that's particularly close to my heart. This is a relatively new event, I think it first
commenced on October 2010.
So in five short years, an initiative that was a one-day event in the first week of
October, which showcased 20 buildings to the general public for free, has now
become a two-day event, also continuing to be in October, where we are now
seeing up to 90 buildings at last year's event, showcasing to the community free
of charge. Certainly, we're seeing even more people drawn to our city to take
advantage of this opportunity.
So this is something that we want to continue to facilitate and we want to see
these sorts of events continue to expand in our city. Of course, every major
event brings economic value to our city. It also brings significant media
coverage and makes our city even more prevalent on the world stage. We think
there's great opportunities of course to win more conventions and business
events, we think that this certainly is a great way to showcase our city. We
believe that there's a whole range of opportunities that we have got all sorts of
opportunities to be able to bid for. This is certainly a process that does take time
and does take significant investment.
When we look at what happens, there is an International Congress and
Convention Association (ICCA) ranking of cities across the world. So with our
hosting of the G20 World Leaders' Summit, Brisbane actually has really, I think,
made its mark and delivered an outcome that was outstanding and demonstrated
quite clearly that we can host significant events on the world stage.
So our current ICCA ranking is 67, so that was 2014, that was a significant—a
huge jump from what it was only the year before where it was placed at 97. So
we think, as part of our—following on from G20, we think our new target by
2022 is to grow our international conventions and business markets to be in the
top 50 of the ICCA rankings.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 260 This would deliver, in visitation terms, we would see our current average of
31,000 delegate days per month over the last five years, to over 50,000 delegate
days per month by 2022, representing a huge 38 per cent increase. Of course, to
do this we have to work with industry to make sure that we increase our efforts
both domestically and internationally, and we have to focus on our eight key
growth sectors to secure more wins over the next seven years.
This side of the Chamber, Madam Chair, is absolutely committed to seeing our
city continue to grow and expand and to take its place on the world stage. Those
opposite have a very negative, narrow view of what our city is and what it can
be. We support our city, we want to be a New World City, and we want to be a
city that can be proud of its future and the courage, prosperity and investment
and not be this absolutely negative and, I think, quite short-sighted perspective
put forward by the Australian Labor Party, thank you.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, Madam Chairman. I rise to speak on Program 6, Economic Development.
This is going to shock everybody but I actually agree with some of the
statements that Councillor COOPER has just made. Madam Chairman—no, I
know, it's late. Yes, it's true. I'll be clear as to what I'm referring to,
Madam Chairman. I think probably the best part of this program does relate to
our city's approach to attracting conventions to our cities and the economic
growth that is generated from that activity. I do think that is a very positive and
productive activity for our Council to be involved in. Certainly we can see the
benefits of that in both economic terms, in recognition terms and so on.
However, I cannot under any circumstance support the general approach that
Councillor SIMMONDS and the LNP are taking to this Economic Development
portfolio, and the largesse, the gross largess is how I would describe it, of
expenditure that is being used for general marketing activities that feature the
LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk, and feature Councillor SIMMONDS, his
picture's turning up in things too.
But, Madam Chairman, there are increasingly, Madam Chairman, too much
focus being put onto general marketing activities and I note that the budget is
increasing this year from—from last year, from $34.4 million to $38.9 million.
That's an increase of $4.5 million or 13 per cent increase, in the marketing
budget of our city.
Now I just think that's extraordinary, and I want to note that the
DEPUTY MAYOR's way in which he accounts for this process is he says, we're
all about growing the pie. Now if you measure the way the pie is growing in
Queensland—and I just pulled out a few statistics—you would have to say over
the past eight years that they've failed. They've failed.
Because, Madam Chairman, I just looked at Queensland's economic growth, it's
been stagnant or languishing, 0.05, 0.6, 2.9, 2.8. So economic growth's not
working, unemployment's been going up, it's the first time it's dropped in years
just a couple of months ago. The only indicator of a positive has been the March
quarter retail growth figures which went up 1.9 per cent. But in previous years,
again, retail growth figures have been less than the national average.
So if we're talking about growing the pie—and I know he's scurried out of the
room now—but if we're talking about growing the pie, the objective standards
aren't being met, and we're not actually seeing that being reflected in the figures
that are being produced that talk about economic growth, employment and
expenditure in Queensland. That's problematic from my point of view.
But what this budget—so, Madam Chairman, I can't support expenditure on
marketing and advertising when we're not delivering for the basic needs of
residents out in the suburbs. It's just not reasonable that I say to my residents,
we're going to invest $1.13 million in free Wi-Fi in the city when you can get
free Wi-Fi in almost every cafe, every McDonald's, library, everywhere you go,
you can pretty much get free Wi-Fi. But we want you to have free Wi-Fi when
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 261 you're walking across the Victoria Bridge, but we don't care if your house floods
and we're not going to fund the backflow valves that an engineering report that
this Council produced four years ago says are critical for the safety of residents.
I can't justify that kind of expenditure to my residents. I don't believe it is a
relevant, necessary or appropriate expenditure and I won't be supporting this
program. The things that I think would contribute to economic growth in this
city are completely ignored by this Administration. I've raised the precinct
before and it's Rocklea. The Brisbane markets, I believe, is the third-largest
business in Brisbane, it is a huge, huge economic driver of our city. It employs
thousands of people and, Madam Chairman, they can't get a decent footpath to
get the workers from the bus stops into the building.
You can't get the rubbish picked up on the side of the road, Madam Chairman.
This is one of the biggest economic precincts in our city and it is neglected by
this Administration. Not only that, Madam Chairman, for the past seven years,
the LORD MAYOR stood with me and he promised that we would build a new,
dedicated freight link to improve access and economic growth for our businesses
in the Rocklea precinct, between Ipswich Road and Fairfield Road.
In 2007, he told me it'd be five years away. In 2012, his representative went out
and said, yes, yes, we'll do it, we'll do it. Again, he is saying, no he won't. Now
if we want to do something about improving economic growth, let's make sure
that in the key industry hub on the south side of the city, we can get trucks there
without the road that they travel on being flooded every time it rains. Every
time.
Let's make sure that the people who get off the train at Sherwood or get off the
bus at Rocklea, have a footpath so they can walk safely to their place of
employment. They would be positive initiatives that contribute to economic
growth and support a major economic contributor to our city that is otherwise
neglected by this Administration. They're the types of things that I think we
should be doing, not spending money on putting the LORD MAYOR's photo on
more and more publications.
Because that doesn't contribute to a single thing. I don't think he's like, Mary, we
don't have to be handing out little cards and saying pray to the LORD MAYOR
Graham Quirk, he'll increase your economic productivity, we need real changes
that will deliver for the places in our city that are generating jobs, that are
generating growth, and that is absolutely not happening.
I just want to mention one other thing, and I'm going to save the
LORD MAYOR half a million dollars. In Item 6.2.1.1, we've got an item which
is about researching future infrastructure projects that contribute to Brisbane's
long-term growth. We've already done that; we've got a freight study, the
Sherwood-Yeerongpilly Freight Study. LORD MAYOR stood with me in 2009
and together we promised it. I hold the LORD MAYOR to account on that
project. It's a critical safety project in my ward, it's a critical economic project
for our city.
The fact that this LORD MAYOR isn't supporting it is problematic,
Madam Chairman. I will continue to, I'm happy to say that it will be a key part
of my re-election strategy again and I look forward to the LORD MAYOR's
representative jumping up and down in the local paper going, me too, me too,
just like he did last time. That did not go well for him, Councillor DICK, no.
I've got a second suggestion. Recently, Infrastructure Australia prepared an audit
of infrastructure in this city, noting the key congestion points, the economic cost
and, Madam Chairman, I can tell you that the second most congested Council
road is Oxley Road. That's the second most congested road in all of our city all
the time. By 2031, it will be the most congested Council road in all of the city.
You cannot fail to invest or plan for the future of this important corridor that
links all the businesses, that links the residents, that links all our schools. It's just
crazy that this Council wants to hide any plans it's got because it thinks it'll be a
little bit controversial. Infrastructure Australia has already done the hard work
about where economic investment in infrastructure can deliver good outcomes,
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 262 can contribute to productivity in this city. The fact that this Administration is
ignoring is, I can tell you now, I don't think Kingsford Smith Drive makes the
list or if it does, it's a bit low down. I certainly don't think Wynnum Road makes
the list, does it? It's not higher than Oxley Road.
So what I want to understand is, if we are as focused as this budget says, on
investing in infrastructure and programs that are going to deliver in the key areas
that will increase economic growth in our city, why aren't we doing that on the
south side of Brisbane with important projects like the freight bypass that would
deliver a huge benefit for residents and businesses alike? Why aren't we looking
at our most congested corridors and looking at planning for them? Because I've
tried. I've tried.
The Ombudsman's told Council to tell me what's going on, they won't do it, the
residents are pretty cranky about it all. That's fine, Madam Chairman, this
Council's been writing to residents, telling my residents they have a strategic
plan for Oxley Road but they won't tell them what it is and they won't provide
the information to me.
So, Madam Chairman, this is how botched this Administration's actual
contribution to economic growth—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON, your time has expired, thank you.
Further debate?
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I rise in support of this program and a very
important program it is to our city. Not just to our city but all the businesses and
people who live and work in our city. Madam Chairman, Economic
Development is one of the fundamental aspects of this budget. Certainly, what is
contained within this program area are a number of factors that really keep the
wheels turning for our city.
Madam Chairman, I'd just like to reflect on outcome 6.3. In particular, the
international students who are attracted to Brisbane and making sure that they
are supported appropriately with infrastructure, transport accessibility and a high
quality lifestyle. Our international students are a very vital part of our city and I
would just like to take this opportunity to extend a thank you to our international
student ambassadors who take up a voluntary role and do a wonderful job for
our city. They not only promote the city to their fellow students here but
certainly they help the message get across the globe, and particularly for their
family who come to visit, they are strong advocates of our city and we really do
appreciate them.
Having been in that industry prior to being elected to this place, I know how
important it is that these students do have a great time here as well as having the
opportunity to access world-class facilities, which they do in our universities
and other educational institutions.
Madam Chairman, in respect of the Wi-Fi across the city, this is a very
important aspect because how many of us today have been accessing our
internet? It is really important for the residents of our city that they have
accessibility to these types of services across our entire CBD. I know that we
had comments from the former leader of the opposition over that other side
making comments about a councillor on this side. I can say, and put it on the
record, that Councillor KING is very supportive of Wi-Fi across our city, of
Wi-Fi across our parks, but she is also a very staunch advocate of an active and
healthy lifestyle for herself and her family.
So some of the comments that are being made on the other side are completely
inappropriate and are shameful.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Madam Chairman, it also—
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 263 Chairman:
Order. Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: It also goes without saying that half of what is said from members on that side
of the Chamber—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Half of what is said by those on that side of the Chamber can be perceived as
nothing more than insults and personal attacks. What is worse than dragging up
names of board members who voluntarily accept positions to assist this city and
then you go and try to drag their names through the mud. That is inappropriate,
inexcusable and unacceptable.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: These are people who want to see our city grow and benefit. You dragging their
names through the mud, on the other side of this Chamber, is totally, totally
unbelievable the way that you do it, it is insulting. The way that you have
insulted the Council officers that work in this program area is abhorrent. As far
as delivery and outcome—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: As far as delivery and outcome is concerned, the officers that work in this
program have been working extremely hard. We have had a major international
event in this city in November 2014 in the G20. Oh, you've forgotten on that
side of the Chamber about the Global Cafe. You've forgotten on that side of the
Chamber about the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: You've forgotten on that side of the Chamber about the implementation of the
digital strategy, one of the first in the world for a local government to enter into.
You've forgotten, on that side of the Chamber, about all the business forums that
we have had right across this city for small businesses. You have forgotten, on
that side of the Chamber, about all the international events that we host in this
city and the conventions.
So if you want to stand up in this Chamber and start throwing insults and have
personal attacks against individuals that serve on the boards of this city—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order. Councillor GRIFFITHS.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: —think again, because the delivery and outcome is there, plain to see, for
everyone from this program area.
Madam Chairman, I'd also like to reflect on the mall activation forums that we
implemented as well. Certainly there were many people across the CBD area
involved with the malls from a business perspective but also the individual
people who went to the stalls in the mall and gave their feedback. These were
general people on the mall, in the street, that wanted to have a say and whose
point was taken. They have been involved.
Vision 2022, the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan, you want to make
all these comments about the vision, well that's another insult, the way you
reflected on it is another insult to those thousand people who partook in that
process to contribute to the betterment of our city.
Madam Chairman, I would also like to take this opportunity to—
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: —to reflect on service 6.6.1.1. Madam Chairman, this particular service area
holds something that is very close to my heart, which is our sister cities
programs and the nine sister cities relationships that we have with—
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 264 Chairman:
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR, just a moment.
There's a three-way conversation going from one side to the other there. If you
want to have a conversation, take it outside or else be quiet.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR.
Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR: Madam Chairman, I would just like to say that there are a number of people who
serve in a voluntary capacity on the Sister Cities Committee. A number of them
have served on those committees for a significant number of years. They are
local business people who are interested in the relationships between Brisbane
and our sister cities. I would just like to formally record my thanks for their
efforts to engender more harmonious and productive and mutually beneficial
relationships with those sister cities.
They dedicate their time and their energy to making sure that our sister city
relationships flourish and they do an extraordinary amount of work. so I'm not
going to name them all tonight, Madam Chairman, but I know that they know
who they are and I do extend my thanks to them. But also, behind that Sister
Cities Committee are a number of Council officers that work in the International
Relations and Multicultural Affairs unit and they do an extensive job behind the
scenes. They work extraordinarily hard and they work away quietly, they don't
go out there in the front line. They are just working extremely hard and in fact at
the moment they've all got their heads down working on the Asia Pacific Cities
Summit.
I would just like to extend my thanks to them for the work that they do, because
I know how hard they work, I know how much effort they put in and I know
certainly at times there are extended hours involved. They put 1,000 per cent
effort in to make sure the outcome is delivered. So they do a wonderful job and I
personally, on behalf of this Chamber, would like to record that and say thank
you, because it is very important to acknowledge that.
But in particular, the work that they do, those business people and those officers,
in facilitating the growth of export industries for our city, has shown
multimillion dollars worth of results from the interactions that we have had with
our sister cities. This is a tangible outcome that has been proven and has been
documented in this Chamber time and time again. It is without dispute and it is
certainly benefiting our city and I am sure it will continue to do so as our sister
city relationships grow in the years to come. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
EXPIRATION OF PERIOD FOR DEBATE OF BUDGET PROGRAMS (5PM)
At that point, the Chairman advised as the time had reached 5pm, the period allowed for debate of budget
programs had expired.
Chairman:
As it is five o'clock, under the provisions of section 74(6) of the Meetings Local
Law, on the expiration of the period allowed for debate of budget programs (or
the extended period allowed by council resolution), I shall now put the motions
to the meeting for the adoption of the following without further amendment or
debate:
(a) every budget program not yet debated; and
(b) every budget program debated but not yet voted upon; and
(c) every budget program partially debated and voted upon.
Chairman:
So I will put the motion for Program 6, Economic Development.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Economic Development program
and it was declared carried on the voices.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 265 -
Thereupon, Councillors Julian SIMMONDS and Ryan MURPHY immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 19 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM.
NOES: 8 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS,
Victoria NEWTON Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
7. CUSTOMER FOCUS PROGRAM:
699/2014-15
Chairman:
I will put the motion—when you're ready—I will put the motion for Program 7,
the Customer Focus program; the motion for the adoption of the Customer
Focus program.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the Customer Focus program and it was
declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Krista ADAMS and Julian SIMMONDS immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 27 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER,
Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON, Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
8. CITY GOVERNACE PROGRAM:
700/2014-15
Chairman:
I will put the motion of the adoption of the City Governance program which is
Program 8.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted to the Chamber the motion for the adoption of the City Governance program and it was
declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Ryan MURPHY and Julian SIMMONDS immediately rose and called for a division,
which resulted in the motion being declared carried.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 266 The voting was as follows:
AYES: 19 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM.
NOES: 7 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS,
Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.
ABSTENTIONS: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
BUSINESSES AND COUNCIL PROVIDERS:
701/2014-15
Chairman:
I will put the motion for the program for the Businesses and Providers of
Council.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted the motion for the Businesses and Council Providers of to the Chamber without debate
and it was declared carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Ryan MURPHY and Krista ADAMS immediately rose and called for a division, which
resulted in the motion being carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 27 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Krista ADAMS,
Matthew BOURKE,
Amanda COOPER,
Margaret de WIT,
Vicki HOWARD, Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX,
Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE,
David McLACHLAN,
Ryan MURPHY,
Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS,
Andrew WINES
and
Norm WYNDHAM, and the Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK,
and Councillors Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER,
Steve GRIFFITHS, Victoria NEWTON, Shayne SUTTON and Nicole JOHNSTON.
That concluded the consideration of the Businesses and Council Providers, and the Chairman therefore called
on the LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham QUIRK) to move a motion for the adoption of the budget.
ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2015-16
File No. 134/135/86/197
702/2014-15
The LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK, moved, seconded by the Councillor Julian SIMMONDS,
that:
The Council adopt the 2015-16 Budget comprising:“(a)
the Budgeted Financial Statements, including the Budgeted Summary of Recommendations, the
Budgeted Statement of Comprehensive Income (income and expenditure), the Budgeted Statement of
Financial Position, the Budgeted Statement of Cash Flows, the Budgeted Statement of Changes in
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 267 Equity, the Budgeted Summary of Recommendations – Long Term Financial Forecast and the Budgeted
Statement of Financial Ratios and the Revenue Policy and Revenue Statement outlined on pages 7 to 14
of the Annual Plan and Budget Document.
“(b)
the adopted Budget Programs for Programs 1 to 8 and the Businesses and Providers.
“(c)
the rates and charges as set out in the Resolution of Rates and Charges on pages 216 to 263 of the Annual
Plan and Budget Document.
“(d)
the Fees and Charges as specified in the document entitled Schedule of Fees and Charges tabled.”
Chairman:
Is there any debate?
LORD MAYOR:
Yes, thanks very much LORD MAYOR—Madam Chairman. It has been a long
couple of days.
Councillors interjecting.
LORD MAYOR:
There's only one certainty about politics, it's uncertainty, Madam Chairman.
Madam Chairman, firstly can I commence by thanking all Councillors for their
contributions over the last two days. I was reminding all Councillors earlier the
fact that this, some years ago, used to go for five full days. So don't feel sad for
yourselves it's as simple as that. But can I thank everybody for their
contribution. In particular I want to thank Councillor SIMMONDS as the
Finance Chair, carrying the lion's share of the work in terms of development of
the budget along with myself, obviously.
But also the staff, the CEO Col Jenson, to Greg Evans, to Paul Oberle and his
team, we thank you very, very much indeed and to all officers that have been
involved in the development of the budget.
Madam Chairman, I guess what we have heard over the course of this last
couple of days and, indeed, the Friday before in the Opposition Leader's speech
and reply, is a response. I note within that there were issues regarding grass in
King George Square, there was issues regarding removing of residential parking
fee, there was issues regarding the building of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, issues
regarding the setting up of a reserve for disasters.
Madam Chairman, what I was rather hoping for in this budget response was
something a bit fresh. Something that, sure, was not a list of anounceables in
terms of policy or initiatives for the election period, but this is, in its reality, the
last budget prior to an election. I would have hoped that as part of that that there
may have been from the Opposition at least a flavour of direction, a flavour of
response in terms of what are the key drivers, what will be the key principles
that will be a setting, if you like, a setting for the policy and initiative rollout
come election time.
Madam Chairman, I was, to that extent somewhat disappointed that there was no
flavour presented, there was rather a recasting of things that we already knew,
things that had been stated previously. Madam Chairman, this budget, I believe,
is a good budget for Brisbane. It's one which advances it even further. It's a
budget, Madam Chairman, which I described on the day as one which consisted
of five key areas. It was about mobility, it was about liveability, it was about
accessibility, it was about job availability and it was also, Madam Chairman,
about financial responsibility.
I want to capture in the next few minutes, Madam Chairman, a quick summary
in relation to that. It was about making sure that our city kept moving. It was
about, Madam Chairman, the additional funds for Kingsford Smith Drive, for
Wynnum Road Stage 1, about additional moneys in this budget for the Inner
City Bypass four-laning, Madam Chairman, between the Kelvin Grove portal of
Legacy Way and that of the Bowen Bridge Road area.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 268 Madam Chairman, it was also about that $100 million that will be spent over
this financial year in terms of road resurfacing. It was about many multi-million
dollar suburban road projects ranging from the Glen Road upgrade signalisation
project through to $37 million for stage 4 of Progress Road. Madam Chairman,
it's about 60 new buses, it's about the completion of the refurbishment over a
couple of years of the CityCats, the 1996 and 1998 Cats generation 1.
$28 million for new bikeways, $29 million for footpaths, and as I indicated,
Madam Chairman, in this budget we felt in terms of priorities that the
Kangaroo Point Bridge ought to go on hold and we will have discussions with
the State around that.
Madam Chairman, liveability, it was about the Botanic Gardens Visitor
Information Centre, about the creation of free Wi-Fi within our CBD, about a
refresh of those important SCIPs and bringing back the fountains,
Madam Chairman, in four locations in the city. Importantly, it was about also
enlivening our city, creating a sense of energy through street artworks and
through art on infrastructure.
But importantly also, Madam Chairman, the development, the start of a program
creating Brisbane as a city of lights. Madam Chairman, the 78 suburban park
improvement projects, and $21 million towards maintaining and enhancing our
bushland and nature reserves together with the completion of the
Karawatha Forest Environment Centre, the performing arts complex and,
indeed, the completion of those two new pools at Bracken Ridge and Parkinson.
Accessibility, Madam Chairman, was about the 2,700 bus stops that will be
undertaken over that three year period with a $7.7 million spend this year on that
program. As well as the $45 million over four years to make further
improvements to our ferry terminals and make them disability compliant. But on
top of that are the $5.9 million towards people with disability toilets, ramps,
facilities for vision and hearing impaired residents and making sure that our
Council facilities are even more friendly for people; either our own residents or
those visiting those facilities.
Madam Chairman, on job availability, Brisbane 2022 which has been discussed
here this afternoon is very much the hallmark of that program. It's about making
sure that we do what we can as a city government to refocus the key industries
in our city. Not just being resource and energy based but making sure that we do
what we can to broaden the opportunities for our young people into the future.
Programs like CoderDojo are very important in that process. Taking the number
of young people being trained each year from 600 to 1,200.
But also, even within this organisation, Madam Chairman, the opportunity for
further traineeships, cadetships, internships and importantly apprenticeships. We
are committed to making sure that we bolster that and create more opportunities
for our young people.
Finally, Madam Chairman, under the heading of financial responsibility, again,
Madam Chairman, this budget I believe has set a rate which is responsible, one
which continues to drive this city forward, but at the same time,
Madam Chairman, is contained to an average increase of $0.62 per week for the
average owner occupier out there in the suburbs of this city.
Madam Chairman, the indebtedness, has been outlined, goes from $1,411 per
capita down to $1,088. Importantly and in conclusion, Madam Chairman, this
budget also ensures that we maintain as a city government a strong credit rating
with a neutral outlook for our city.
Chairman:
Further debate?
Councillor DICK.
Councillor DICK:
Well thanks very much, Madam Chairman, and I rise to speak on this item
primarily on behalf of the ratepayers that not only I represent but the entire
Labor Council team.
I listened carefully to what the LORD MAYOR had to say and yes, whilst I'm
not directly calling for us to return back to five days of budget, I do believe that
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 269 we should look at some refinery of our system which enables us, as elected
officials, to debate every program. I think that is a sensible approach to
handling—if the LORD MAYOR wants to talk about ideas, he wants to talk
about vision, we need to be very clear that if elected officials don't get the
opportunity to do that, that is not an appropriate way to handle the budget.
We did not—and it's the same now in my eighth and final budget here at the
Brisbane City Council, it has been the same every year; we never get to actually
debating rates. We don't actually get to debating the final program. Whatever the
way you look at it, this decision that we take today, this decision that we take in
terms of adopting the budget, in terms of the expenditure, but also the actual
levy’s and charges and rates that we will be slugging our citizens, I think that is
worthwhile talking about.
In the LORD MAYOR's sum up today, he didn't talk about the rate increases, he
didn't talk about the levy and charges that unfortunately many ratepayers from
across the city are going to suffer. Just as I highlighted on Friday, just as I raised
them on behalf of our lord mayoral candidate, Rod Harding, and also
Labor Councillors, whether it be suburbs of Cannon Hill, which is seeing a
5.64 per cent rise, Coopers Plains on 5.4 per cent, Enoggera on 4.07,
Ferny Grove on 6.07, Kedron on 4.55, MacGregor on 6.94, Mitchelton on 5.18
per cent and even suburbs like Runcorn on 5.65 per cent. Obviously in the
south-west of Brisbane where we've had some of the largest rate rises in the city.
Look, I understand that this is a sensitive issue for the LNP Council because we
have seen successive rate rises year in, year out under their Administration. A
lot of that has to do with the fact that when it comes to rate rises, there is a
pattern under this LNP Council. Low rate rises before the election and then
residents and businesses stung very, very hard after the election. We've seen that
before the 2008 election, before the 2012 election and now before the 2016
election. The Courier-Mail have got it right when they were describing the issue
of rates and charges where they've said it was 2.74 per cent increase before the
election then increases totalling 20.15 per cent over the next three budgets, 1.79
increase before the 2012 election then increases totalling 12.14 per cent over the
next three budgets.
You only need to look at the fact that our revenue targets in 2016-17 and
2017-18 will go from $1 billion up to $1.1 billion. So when it comes to rates,
which is a massive part of the budget, we didn't get to debate it, we didn't get to
discuss it. Very few LNP Councillors want to discuss it. But I can tell you now,
the pain, the difficulties, the cost of living pressures that we see day in, day out,
or certainly on this side of the Chamber, aren't going to be addressed in any way,
shape or form under this LNP Council.
It is simply not good enough to say—and after 12 years of writing budgets, to
say, well that's just the way it is. Well, Madam Chair, I think the people of
Brisbane deserve better than that and we, as the custodians of the city's finances,
ought to be striving to do what we can. I don't think there's been a time in
Brisbane's history where families have not been struggling more. Time and time
again, I hear horrific stories of families with employment difficulties, with cost
of living pressures. Whether it be through their rates, through their utilities bills,
we as the controllers of the levers should be doing more and we should be
fighting more than simply to dismiss them.
After 12 years in office and 30 years of being a Councillor, I can understand
when administration gets tired and run out of ideas. We've seen that within this
budget for the 2015-2016. No great new initiatives, no great announcements,
just mere trinkets sprinkled across the city to try and get through to the next
Council election. Well we aren't simply elected here to be administration, we're
elected to lead. That's what our city requires.
Going through some of the service items and some of the programs that we have
debated, it's a pretty sorry tale at the moment of where we're looking at. The
LORD MAYOR asked for alternative ideas and alternative vision, well we want
to make a commitment to the people of Brisbane that we will, when we honour
and when we say something, those commitments will be made in a budget.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 270 Not like the LNP where we see announcements made on one day and the same
pattern occurring time and time again. Cutbacks and rollovers, money pushed
over to year after year. When it comes to budget time, as I said, a few trinkets to
be sprinkled across the city, as good as it gets. Well we think Brisbane deserves
a whole lot better. Particularly when it comes to some of those key
announcements where we've debated over the week, whether it be through
parking revenue and the issues surrounding city parking which still haven't been
resolved, which still the only solution to city parking is a revenue-based
solution.
Well we say, and Rod Harding, our lord mayoral candidate says, we should be
looking at a planning and public transport solution when it comes to parking.
Disappointingly in this whole budget debate, we've seen no focus and even in
program Future Brisbane today, there was no analysis or no support for the
City Plan. No mention, no discussion at all. We know that that is the key critical
issue facing a number of families and residents right across the city but yet this
budget completely ignores that issue and completely ignores those views.
When it comes to public transport, we know that that will be a focal point at the
next Council election. This addiction that the LNP Council has had to tolled
infrastructure—and I note that the LORD MAYOR will be welcoming the first
cars through Legacy Way tonight—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
That's right, with a throwback just to the past of someone whose name's never
really mentioned around here anymore, of course the former Lord Mayor,
Campbell Newman. All I say about that is, well doesn't that say it all. Talk about
the day of the budget being passed, the day that we are looking towards the
future, we yank right back to the past and enable Campbell Newman, the
architect for most of this that we're cleaning up today and that we're dealing with
the mess and misery that he delivered for the people of Brisbane. Then sadly,
transferred to the people of Queensland.
We saw what the legacy for that will be is a tired and sorry state for the people
of Queensland, but luckily a new government led under Annastacia Palaszczuk
will clean up and leave.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
Well, if Campbell Newman was so good, why isn't he still Premier?
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
That question that will never be answered.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor DICK:
The great saviour, Madam Chair, the great visionary, the great leader, a
disgraceful note in history, that's what he's become, that's what he is.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, I have to say you're getting well off the 2015-16 Budget for
Brisbane City Council.
Councillor DICK:
Sure, Madam Chair.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor DICK:
I'm talking about not only Legacy Way but I'm talking about the legacy of debt
and the legacy of failed projects under his leadership and now under
LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk, has left the people of Brisbane. Whether it be
Clem7, whether it be the Go Between Bridge or now Legacy Way, which we
know has struggled even to the point of delays. We certainly hope that it's a
success for the people of Brisbane, because ultimately we'll be paying that debt
off for years and another generation.
But moving on, Madam Chair, one of the key announcements that came out of
the budget, disappointingly, rejected by the LNP, was of course a new storms
reserve to prepare our city for future natural disasters. Positive, strong
alternatives being put forward to the people of Brisbane because there is a need
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 271 for this. Just as we saw with commentary when we ran out of money, when the
people of Brisbane were left in the lurch, well Labor has a different approach, a
better way to actually start preparing for the future, not looking to the past;
looking to the future.
Just as we saw it written at the time, it was an extraordinary admission of failure
by our civic leaders, a failure to plan for storms that is so comprehensive the
Brisbane City Council coffers were empty less than a month into the storm
season.
Chairman:
Councillor DICK, your time has expired, thank you.
Before we continue, just to put the record straight, I would point out that under
section 74, subsection 6 of the Meetings Local Law, an extension of time on
debate of programs is there. It only has to be a motion moved for an extension.
So it's in the rules, has been for many years. As that concludes the presentation
and consideration of the 2015-16 Annual Plan and Budget—oh sorry, I'd better
put the motion, hadn't I, sorry.
LORD MAYOR, do you wish to close the debate?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
No, no, the speakers, Margaret.
Chairman:
Sorry, further speakers on the—yes, Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, I rise to speak on the adoption of the annual plan and the
budget in the whole. Madam Chairman, I've learnt a couple of things out of this
budget debate today and I'm pleased in some way to find out that that the reason
the LORD MAYOR is starving Tennyson Ward of funds in this budget that are
vitally needed for local projects is not because of me, but as Councillors on the
other side like Councillor OWEN-TAYLOR and Councillor ADAMS have said
in this Chamber, it's because we got all that flood money in 2011 and we got a
windfall from the floods. That I should stop whining because we did really well
out of the floods.
Now, Madam Chairman, that's going to stick with me for a very long time and
I'm certainly going to be letting my residents know that the decision makers in
this Council feel that it's appropriate to say that the floods were a windfall for
my community. They certainly were not and I think it shows the mean spirited
nature of the LORD MAYOR's team when he has Councillors who stand up and
say these things on the public record. It was completely wrong and inappropriate
yesterday and it is now a matter of public record that both of them have said
these things.
So, Madam Chairman, I haven't voted for many of the programs before us today
because they do not deliver for the residents of Tennyson Ward. I note that this
budget is increasing rates in my area by an astronomical amount. Chelmer,
Graceville and Sherwood have the highest rates increases in the city, yet these
residents are not seeing a return on the investment that they make in this city
through their rates.
Last year, this Council raised $31 million from Tennyson Ward residents and
this year it'll be higher again. Yet we're not seeing any spending of significance
out in the suburbs that I represent. Now we know the reason, and I just think
that's
disgraceful.
I
am
bitterly
disappointed—yes,
Councillor
OWEN-TAYLOR, that's very grown up, good work. I think it's very
disappointing that that's the way that they have chosen to go.
I also note the LORD MAYOR, because he's not been in the Chamber—he's
been in the Chamber for maybe an hour of the whole budget debate, and in his
summing up today, he said—
LORD MAYOR:
Point of order, Madam Chairman.
Chairman:
Yes, point of order against you, Councillor JOHNSTON.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 272 LORD MAYOR:
I'm not going to allow the councillor for Tennyson to get away with that. That is
completely inaccurate. She talks about accuracy in here; she ought to correct the
record on that.
Chairman:
Thank you, LORD MAYOR. I uphold the point of order.
Councillor JOHNSTON, do you wish to continue your debate? You were intent
on putting something in the minutes that is not true; the LORD MAYOR has
corrected it. If you want to continue your debate, continue.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Thank you, Madam Chairman. I know there is no such point of order. But the
LORD MAYOR has not been in the Chamber for most of the budget debate, yet
in summing up, he stood here in this Chamber just a few minutes ago and he
said, no one has put up any other ideas about what should happen in this city.
Now let's be clear. Yesterday I moved three amendments to the budget. One was
ruled out of order on a procedural basis, which I certainly did not agree with.
Two were voted down by the LNP without a single word being said in
justification for voting them down. These were important local projects that
would have delivered in my area and LORD MAYOR, it's no wonder you don't
know what's going on in this city because you're not here to listen and then you
stand up in this place and claim no one else has any other ideas.
Well you are wrong and I have tried in this budget to make sure that the
investment that is needed in Tennyson Ward is delivered. The person who is not
delivering is the person who's handed down this budget and has used the power
of their numbers in this place to run roughshod over fairness and equity in the
delivery of services to this city. That is the LORD MAYOR and LNP
Councillors.
LORD MAYOR:
Madam Chairman, would the Councillor take a question?
Chairman:
Point of order, yes, Councillor JOHNSTON, will you take a question from the
LORD MAYOR?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, I will.
LORD MAYOR:
Well if things are so bad, Councillor JOHNSTON, will you give the
commitment to this Chamber today, given that my lord mayoralty is so bad, that
you will run for Lord Mayor?
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I don't think the CEO of Council who's present in the Chamber could cope with
that. I think that there would be a very big problem with that, Madam Chairman.
But LORD MAYOR, I love your thinking.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
If you think that I'm your competitor, LORD MAYOR, that reflects, I think, on
you more than me, Madam Chairman. I have said—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I have said—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
I have said, Madam Chairman, very clearly that I am here to fight for Tennyson
Ward residents.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Madam Chairman, it is true, I'll indulge the LORD MAYOR's comments, it is
true from time to time I have people from all over the city who come along to
me and say, oh Nicole, you should run for LORD MAYOR. Madam Chairman,
it's flattering, but I'm not—
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 273 Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—Madam Chairman—Madam Chairman, I'm here to represent Tennyson Ward
residents, that's why I was elected and my job in this place is to fight for them.
That's what I will do. This budget does not deliver for those residents—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Yes, rips them off, thank you very much, Councillor CUMMING. $31 million
last year, Madam Chairman, in rates and they get maybe a few million dollars in
actual expenditure. That is not on, Madam Chairman. Not only have I been
putting up ideas as to what should be funded on a day to day basis in this city, I
put it up in annual submissions to the LORD MAYOR, I move amendments in
this place, Madam Chairman, and the LORD MAYOR just glosses over it like
he's the only one that's got ideas about what should happen, Madam Chairman.
Clearly that's not the case.
It is not reasonable and it is not fair for the LORD MAYOR to simply take from
the residents of Tennyson Ward and give nothing in return—or give very little, I
apologise, in return. The disgraceful shambles of estimates that we've had, that's
what needs to be fixed up, I can tell you now. Councillor SIMMONDS giving a
15 minute answer and he was such a joke while he was doing it—yes,
Councillor SUTTON and I had a bit of fun and made him repeat it because—
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
—who gives a 15 minute answer—
Chairman:
Order.
Councillor JOHNSTON:
Who gives a 15 minute answer to a question he's just spent an hour talking about
in the same presentation. Councillor ADAMS was so intent on not talking about
the budget this year that she talked about last year's budget, Madam Chairman,
for a whole hour. These people have lost the plot. I really hope that residents
will see through what is a budget that is very low on substance, that fails to
deliver in some parts of our city and that does not act in a fair way in ensuring
that revenue and service delivery is carried out for all people of this city.
The LORD MAYOR has let residents down out my way and I am certain when
we come to the budget—sorry, the election next year that they will remember
that when they come to vote. Because he has personally done this through this
budget process and, Madam Chairman, I will hold him to account.
Chairman:
Further debate on the budget as a whole?
Councillor FLESSER.
Councillor FLESSER:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm sure that you would appreciate
how disappointed I am this is my last budget in this Council Chamber.
Councillors interjecting.
Councillor FLESSER:
Madam Chair, what really disappoints me, I suppose, is that in the previous
years, Councillors have not been given the opportunity to speak in detail to
Program 8, and that of course is where the rates increases are for our
constituents, and the Council's finance as well, Madam Chair, and what a
disappointment it is that ratepayers aren't given the opportunity to listen to what
their elected representatives have got to say about the financial management of
this Council.
Madam Chair, Councillor DICK spoke about those rates increases this year and
how curious it is that the rates increase is lower this year leading up to election
as compared to what it's been in previous year. But, Madam Chair, I think it is
important for ratepayers to understand what is actually in this budget for future
years. While the increase according to the Administration is 2.5 per cent average
rates, you see that in the page 8 of the document, it's always my page in the
Council budget, page 8 clearly shows that the increase in rates, including
growth, is 3.98 per cent between last year and this year. 2.5 per cent average
rates, 1.5 per cent growth, Madam Chair, I can live with that.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 274 But when you look at the—in the future years, we see that the rates increases
proposed for next year and the year after both average 5.5 per cent. So,
Madam Chair, when asked a Chair in the Committee, well what is the
percentage increase in those years for actually the number of rateable properties,
of course Councillor SIMMONDS never provided that because that would have
allowed Councillors to work out what the rates increases are planned for those
future years.
But, Madam Chair, even if growth stays at 1.5 per cent like it has this year,
Madam Chair, ratepayers are looking at a four per cent increase average rates
next year and four per cent the year after that. So that pattern of reduced rates
increases the year just before an election clearly is going to continue under this
LNP Administration. I think ratepayers should be aware of that and they should
consider that when the LNP make the fantastic claims about keeping rates low.
Madam Chair, also on page 8 of course of the budget, I'd like to direct Council's
attention to the interest dividend and tax equivalent payments. Now,
Madam Chair, this year $177 million in there, and I think that ratepayers deserve
to know that of that revenue that Council is getting, that $177 million,
$124 million is a direct payment from Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) to this
Council. Now, Madam Chair, you would have thought that as we've done the
deal to reduce Council's—QUU debt or exchange QUU's debt with Council to
Queensland Treasury Corporation, you would expect that QUU would be paying
less money to Council.
But, Madam Chair, not they're not. $124 million, Madam Chair, the dividends
are up, the tax equivalent payments are up, clearly we're eating into QUU's
profits and probably their reserves as well. but I think that ratepayers deserve to
know that when they pay their rates bill, $275 on average of their rates bill—
sorry, of their water bill—when ratepayers pay their water bill, $275 on average
is actually coming straight back to this Council to pay for debt, for tunnel debts
and for Council projects.
I think that it's interesting that I know that the LNP's philosophical view is that
you should only be paid—or user pays. Well I think that it's a bit hard to
reconcile that view with what's actually happening in this Council. $275 per
ratepayer, per year coming straight from your water bills. It's not going into the
cost of delivering water, new pipes, pumping stations and so on, it's coming
straight to this Council for Council to spend as it sees fit. I think that ratepayers
should be aware of that and maybe that's something that needs to be changed in
the future. Certainly it needs to be more transparent.
Madam Chair, there's one very worrying aspect I found in the budget and that's
in relation to other revenue. Not for the coming year but for the year after. The
other revenue proposed for 2016-17 is $203 million. Madam Chair, I noticed
that that was a bit curious because it was about $100 million higher than last
year, this year and the year after, in 2017-18. Madam Chair, it became apparent
what's happened there, in an answer to one of the questions in the committee
presentation.
Madam Chair, there's a $100 million payment coming from QML that particular
year as part of the Legacy Way deal. Now, Madam Chair, Councillors would
recall in 2013 the LORD MAYOR brought to this Chamber a deal to sell off the
tolling rights to QMH then, which has now been transferred to QML. But in that
arrangement, we would remember there was a lot of debate about how much
Council was actually going to get in return for those tolling rights.
There was a debate and even the Council E&C documents that the
LORD MAYOR brought to the Council Chamber showed a huge discrepancy of
$450 million between what he said Council was going to get for the tolling
rights and what QMH thought they were going to be paying for the tolling
rights. Curiously for the first time this year, one of those figures is starting to
show up in the budget. That's the year two for the Legacy Way payment to
Council.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 275 In the document that came to Council, it showed that QMH thought that they'd
be paying $100 million in 2016-17 year and the document the LORD MAYOR
brought said that—predicted that they would be paying $200 million. So,
Madam Chair, you would have thought that when you drilled down into the
figures and look at that other revenue figure, you would have thought that the
LORD MAYOR and the LNP Administration would have been standing by their
figures.
But when we asked a question about what that $203 million was made of,
Madam Chair, the answer came back that only $100 million has been budgeted
to come from QML. So, Madam Chair, it seems to me that the LORD MAYOR
has given up on his traffic forecast projections for Legacy Way. If he felt so
strongly about it when he brought the document to Council that we would be
paid $200 million in that year yet we see in this budget that he's only budgeting
for $100 million.
Madam Chair, that is a $100 million hit to ratepayers if it's true. So,
Madam Chair, I think that that's something that obviously needs some
explanation, why is this Council only predicting the QMH case for traffic
projections and not the case that came to this Council. A $100 million hit to
ratepayers next year, Madam Chair, is a huge amount of money and there needs
to be an explanation and of course there's been no opportunity to ask for an
explanation during this budget debate.
Madam Chair, I'll just move onto reserves and much has been said, both by the
lord mayoral candidate—the Labor lord mayoral candidate and also those of us
on this side about reserves. Clearly there does need to be a natural disaster
reserve. We remember the awful editorial from The Courier-Mail when the
LORD MAYOR came out and said that the cupboard is bare, saying that
Brisbane's residents should be preparing for storms but clearly this Council was
not preparing for storms.
So I think that it's a grave mistake that there is no specific reserve to look out
for—clearly this Council's going to suffer more storms, more flooding, as
climate change has a greater effect on Brisbane. But, Madam Chair, we just
don't seem to be prepared to look into the future and make sure that there's
money set aside.
Madam Chair, the last couple of items I want to talk about just quickly, CBIC,
City of Brisbane Investment Corporation, Madam Chair, between that and
Brisbane Marketing, I see the two things that have really gone wrong with this
Council in the time that I've been here. Madam Chair, Council—the
Civic Cabinet and Council collectively used to manage all the property
negotiations, the property selling and buying in this city. We used to have a
marketing section that did all the marketing and promotions within Council,
Madam Chair, and they were—those organisations, or those parts of Council
were obviously accountable to us.
What we see today is City of Brisbane Investment Corporation run by a group of
directors, they are managing $236 million worth of ratepayers assets.
Madam Chair, there is—and the LORD MAYOR once a year brings the report,
he always—brings the report to Council, he always makes it clear that he doesn't
really have to. But, Madam Chair, that's not good enough. That the Councillors
here are not getting proper reports of any information at all about the activities
of City of Brisbane Investment Corporation when in the past, all those
operations used to come to Council for full debate and full disclosure.
Likewise for Brisbane Marketing just to hand them over $25 million,
Madam Chair, without the direct control by Councillors, by the senior officers in
this Council, Madam Chair, I think is a disgrace. That's something that clearly
needs to come back under Council control.
Madam Chair, I've seen what's happening in this Council before. It's a bit of—
Chairman:
Councillor FLESSER, your time has expired for the last time.
Councillors interjecting.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 276 Chairman:
Is there any further debate on the budget as a whole?
LORD MAYOR, do you wish to close the debate?
LORD MAYOR:
Well thanks very much, Madam Chairman. Well, Madam Chairman, we've
heard again today a range of issues through this debate. Firstly, it was claimed
that I didn't say anything about rates, well, Madam Chairman, a viewing of the
Hansard will reveal that I absolutely did. I made very clear reference of the
$0.62 on average, Madam Chairman, per week for the owner occupied
residential ratepayers of this city, Madam Chairman, and the 2.5 per cent—all
the numbers are there, they're all public—they're all very public,
Madam Chairman, restating over and over again, Madam Chairman, adds
nothing to the debate.
I would make the point, and it's been raised in this debate about the issue of
some sort of a reserve for disasters. Madam Chairman, we have taken the view,
and I have said this previously, that we would not have a reserve, that we would
gather the funds necessary at the time of an event occurring. We would rather
take that approach than to have a pool of money sitting there which is purely a
reserve which may not be needed, with no certainty. There is no certainty and I
hope you're not going to play God over there today, because there is no certainty
whether we will have a significant storm event of the size and magnitude
requiring significant expenditure by this Council.
Now, Madam Chairman, that's a view they have, this is a—it's a policy
difference. But I'm simply—they have a view, they want to put aside those
millions for the reserve. We say this, Madam Chairman, we already have a
significant reserve, a future fund in the CBIC. In this budget, Madam Chairman,
as I said the other day, there is $20 million coming back from that fund by way
of a dividend return from this city.
Councillor FLESSER, while he calls for more information today, also needs to
acknowledge that we've seen double-digit returns from that fund, I think in
every year since its operating. That's not going to be the case every year,
Madam Chairman, that won't be a sustainable figure, but it has been very, very
significant in terms of building the asset base of that fund.
Now are these same Councillors going to call for the Queensland Government to
abolish the Queensland Investment Corporation? Are they going to do that,
Madam Chairman? Or would that be perhaps seen as assets sales? I don't know.
But I do know, Madam Chairman, that they seem to think it's all right for the
State Government to have a future fund but not all right for this city
government, and, Madam Chairman, it's simply wrong.
There's been talk about employment, Madam Chairman, about hurt out there,
people having trouble finding employment. Madam Chairman, I concur that it is
a tough going for people out there in Brisbane, for a lot of people. Our budget,
Madam Chairman, is about changing that, it is about creating jobs. Not only for
now, but also for the long term. That's why we've invested more around
apprenticeship, cadetship opportunities, Madam Chairman, internship
opportunities to give young people the experience. That's why I mention the
CoderDojo program as well.
But equally, it's about making sure through that Brisbane 2022 document that
we create opportunities for the future. As Councillor SCHRINNER said earlier,
about growing the cake and making sure that we develop for the future.
Madam Chairman, Councillor JOHNSTON today has clearly indicated that she
is all words and no guts when it comes to the opportunity to really stand up—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
LORD MAYOR:
—to really stand up if she truly believes what she says that the lord mayoralty of
this city is so bad your—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Order.
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 277 Councillor JOHNSTON.
LORD MAYOR:
—conscious ought to drive you to have a go. It ought to drive you to have a go,
Madam Chairman, and I lay that challenge on the table and it can sit on that
table, Madam Chairman—
Councillors interjecting.
Chairman:
Councillor JOHNSTON.
LORD MAYOR:
—for Councillor JOHNSTON to revisit every week when we come back in the
next session. Madam Chairman, I thank Councillor FLESSER for a bit of
Flessernomics. I'm going to miss it. I'm going to miss the Flessernomics
exercises that we've had over time. Madam Chairman, and he's trotted out today
again, as he always does, the futures in terms of—and I don't think the futures
have been right once yet, Madam Chairman, I can't remember in 30 years in this
place the futures actually being exact in terms of revenue increases.
But the Labor Party were right about one thing; they seemed to say something
about the—there seems to be higher rate increases in some years and lower ones
in other years. Madam Chairman, they didn't differentiate, they just had high
ones all the time. It was very simple. So, Madam Chairman, I believe this
budget is one which will advance our city. There are always going to be more
needs out there, Madam Chairman, but it is a case of meeting that balance
between affordability and advancement of our city and its suburbs.
Madam Chairman, I have great pleasure in commending the budget to the
Chamber.
Chairman:
As that concludes the presentation and consideration of the 2015-16 Annual
Plan and Budget—no, I haven't done that bit, sorry. I'll go back again. I'm really
keen to get out of this. I will now put the motion.
Motion put:
The Chairman submitted the motion for the adoption of the 2015-16 Budget to the Chamber and it was declared
carried on the voices.
Thereupon, Councillors Milton DICK and Ryan MURPHY immediately rose and called for a division, which
resulted in the motion being declared carried.
The voting was as follows:
AYES: 18 -
The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Councillor Graham QUIRK,
DEPUTY MAYOR,
Councillor
Adrian SCHRINNER,
and
Councillors
Matthew BOURKE, Amanda COOPER, Margaret de WIT, Vicki HOWARD,
Steven HUANG, Fiona KING, Geraldine KNAPP, Kim MARX, Peter MATIC,
Ian McKENZIE, David McLACHLAN, Ryan MURPHY, Angela OWEN-TAYLOR,
Julian SIMMONDS, Andrew WINES and Norm WYNDHAM.
NOES: 7 -
The Leader of the OPPOSITION, Councillor Milton DICK, and Councillors
Helen ABRAHAMS, Peter CUMMING, Kim FLESSER, Steve GRIFFITHS,
Victoria NEWTON and Shayne SUTTON.
ABSTENTIONS: 1 -
Councillor Nicole JOHNSTON.
Chairman:
RISING OF COUNCIL:
As that concludes the presentation and consideration of the 2015-16 Annual
Plan and Budget, I declare the meeting closed.
5.52pm
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]
- 278 PRESENTED:
and CONFIRMED
CHAIRMAN
Council officers in attendance:
Colin Jensen (Chief Executive Officer)
James Withers (Senior Council and Committee Officer)
Shivaji Solao (Council and Committee Officer)
Robert Southwood (Acting Council and Committee Officer)
Jahnee Cannings (Acting Council and Committee Officer and Acting Council Orderly)
[4472 Meeting (Budget) – 17 June 2015]