Councillor Column - Councillor Mark Spina

At the August General meeting council was tabled with a revised package to deliver the Queensland Government's Works for Queensland (W4Q) package for the 2024-20274 period. Among the challenges faced during this period, acknowledging the 2025 flood event, the most significant being a substantial increase in the projected costs to deliver each project. As such, the project list was subsequently reassessed to maximise the delivery of priority works within the available funding and program eligibility guidelines and timeframe.

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The 2024-2027 Queensland Government's W4Q program prioritises investment in projects that enhance essential Council services, contribute to community and regional economic development, and supports the long-term sustainability of Queensland councils. Council over the period of the last few months has reviewed the currently approved W4Q projects.  

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The review has resulted in the need to apply for a change to a number of projects. These changes have resulted for a variety of reasons, some of which are mentioned above.

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Acknowledging the hard work put in by the whole Hinchinbrook Shire Council team in reviewing the projects, Council endorsed the updated list of projects for the Queensland Government's 2024-2027 W4Q Funding totalling $3,230,000 as follows:

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• Taylors Beach Seawalk (Stage 1 Design Only) $61,772.83;

• Taylors Beach Playground Shade Covering and Site Improvements $65,000;

• Extension of Reticulated Sewerage Toobanna Township (Design) $375,500;

• Extension of Reticulated Sewerage along Sir Arthur Fadden Parade (Design) $170,000;

• Revamp Borello Park Lucinda (concept design) $38,727.17;

• Riverview Park enhancement $20,000;

• Half Basketball Court, Merv Wacker Park $141,350.69;

• Pump Track, Merv Wacker Park $606,587.34;

• Ingham Showground car park $211,193.36;

• Merv Wacker Park Improved Car parking $181,193.36;

• Vince Corbett Park Infrastructure Upgrade Forrest Beach $1,255,494.21; and

• Half Basketball Court Leo Park Trebonne $103,181.04.

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This revised package is proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

We look forward to seeing these projects begin and eagerly await their completion.

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In the meantime Hinchinbrook residents, take care, stay safe and be kind.

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