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Key initiatives were a bold new two-year greening program, which would
see
the planting of thousands of trees and shrubs right across the city and
major upgrades to improve the processing of Townsville's waste and
sewerage.
This came on top of a massive $10.8 million maintenance budget for the
city's 165 parks and $2.29 million for Parks Services capital works, and
$1.3 million in funding for conservation and environmental projects.
Cr Bunnell said the main feature was the greening project that would
encourage the same community enthusiasm and involvement as the 100,000
Trees for Townsville and Greening the Capital campaigns.
The budget includes a first-year allocation of $500,000 for the program,
which will comprise street tree planting, urban forestry and community
revegetation projects.
"This is the biggest budget allocation ever for greening projects in
Townsville," Cr Bunnell said.
"The council will be encouraging all sections of the community to be
involved in a range of projects that will see the planting of thousands
more shade trees right across the city.
The council will also continue to work closely with Government and
community groups on a range of environmental management initiatives which
include $100,000 for repairs to the Goat Track on Castle Hill.
Additional budget funding has been provided for conservation measures,
flora and fauna projects, programs to reduce and monitor pollution in
drains and waterways, coastal protection, including $100,000 for beach
nourishment at Rowes Bay, and landcare and catchment management.
This year the council will complete the state-of-the-art sewerage
treatment plant on Magnetic Island, and spend $2.75 million on an upgrade
at the Mt St John Treatment Plant, and $775,000 on the Cleveland Bay
purification plant.
The budget includes $500,000 for stage one of a waste reception facility
at the Vantassel Street refuse tip, and $145,850 to upgrade irrigation
control systems in parks to reduce Council's water usage.
Media information: Cr Ann Bunnell 4727 9205.
Other Environmental Services budget points
$ 1.21million Strand maintenance
Playground softfall, topsoil, playground fencing, repainting, development
of gardens at Howitt Street approach, reline Water Park water tank and
servicing of pumps..
$2.29 million Parks Services capital works includes
$100,000 Hanran Park stage 2 - construction of pathways and landscaping
in
park along Ross Creek fronting proposed Honeycombes project
$50,000 development of Serissa Crescent playground
$45,000 development of Campbell Street playground within Lou Lister Park.
$30,000 Marabou Park - footbridge and path
$100,000 Mount Louisa Park upgrade - bins, seats, pathway, lighting,
irrigation and landscaping
$18,000 Half basketball court at Mindham Park
$10,000 shade cover Heatley State School park playground
$145,850 Irrigation control and water management
Program to reduce the amount of water that council uses but at the same
time maintain the city's green environment. Council will automate control
systems on a number of irrigation systems that are currently operated
manually. Also includes upgrade of council's computerised irrigation
control system.
$50,000 Anzac Park fountain repair
Re-tile heritage listed fountain in accordance with heritage guidelines
$80,000 Palmetum. Tumbetin Lodge airconditioning and
new entry
Environmental Services Management includes
$163,641 Flora and Fauna for Council and Natural Area Trainee sun-programs
($34,526 from National Heritage Trust/sponsors and $72,000 in State's
Community Jobs Plan funding)
$21,000 Land For Wildlife
$60,000 Sustainable Townsville Project. Raising of awareness in council
and community ways of achieving energy reduction measures.
$45,000 (includes NHT funds) Community Coastcare program will continue
with acitvities at Pallarenda, Cungulla, and will be expanded to include
West Point and Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island.
$328,000 Landcare and Catchment Management - for support for bushcare
projects and revegetation of banks of Ross River in conjunction with
community members and groups. Includes $162,000 in Natural Heritage Trust
funds.
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