At this morning’s Council meeting, the Scenic Rim Regional Council voted to apply for funding in the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) round five, for the Beaudesert Community Hub and Library under the Infrastructure Projects Stream.
The Australian Government announced $200 million in the 2020-2021 budget for BBRF round 5 which will provide $100 million for tourism-related infrastructure projects under the Infrastructure Projects Stream, and a further $100 million for other projects under the Infrastructure Projects Stream and the Community Investments Stream combined.
The objectives of the program are to drive economic growth; and build stronger regional communities into the future.
The intended outcomes of the program are to:
- create jobs
- have a positive impact on economic activity, including Indigenous economic participation
- through employment and supplier-use outcomes
- enhance community facilities
- enhance leadership capacity
- encourage community cohesion and a sense of identity.
Applications opened on 12 January 202,1 and will close on 5 March 2021. Scenic Rim Regional Council meets the eligibility criteria of being a Local Government authority for funding up to 50% of a project.
Cr Derek Swanborough for Division 1 spoke out against the proposal in the meeting, and said it was unfair to expect ratepayers to cop the other 50% of the project’s costs.
Mayor Greg Christensen said it was in the early stages, and so far only an application for funding.
“Accessing grants is the way we expand our capacity to accelerate the opportunity for our community,” Mayor Christensen said.
“Otherwise we’re in danger of having a generation that goes through without proper access to a community hub and library.”
The motion was carried and all of Council was in favour, apart from Cr Swanborough.
The Beaudesert Community Hub and Library Project is to be built in Davidson Park and will connect to Council’s administration building in Beaudesert and is incorporated into the Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages (VATV) works associated with the area.
At this point in time, a general estimated cost of building the Beaudesert Community Hub and Library is in the range of $11 – $13.5 million including 15% contingency. The Quantity Surveyor Report is scheduled to be completed in the first week of March 2021 and will provide more accurate costings.
Detailed drawings will be completed by 30 March 2021, as funded under the Maturing the
Infrastructure Pipeline Program Phase 2 program, in readiness for the project to begin.
