Roads and bridges will continue to be the major focus for Byron Shire Council in the 2020/21 financial year with $58 million earmarked for capital works.
Councillors resolved to adopt the budget at an extraordinary Council meeting last week (30 July).
“To put this into perspective, our capital works budget last year was $38 million so by this time next year people will see an incredible different to roads across the Shire,” Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said.
The refurbishment of the Brunswick Heads bridge will be finished this year and Council is has started building a new bridge to replace the Repentence Creek Road causeway at Goonengerry.
Other projects earmarked in 2020/21 include:
- $1.2 million for Stuart St, Mullumbimby
- $1.2 million for the Pocket Road
- $2.6 million for Myocum Road
- $1.1 million for Main Arm Road
- $2.1 million for the Sandhills estate activation and skatepark at Byron Bay
- $577,000 for a new boat ramp at the Brunswick Heads boat harbour
- $3.75 million for landfill rehabilitation and leachate management at the Resource Recovery Centre at Myocum
- $544,000 for the refurbishment of the Ocean Shores Community Centre
This year also marks the final year of the Special Rate Variation with Council to raise $4.7 million which will be used for renewing and maintaining infrastructure. Planned projects include:
- Lighting for the Bangalow recreation ground
- Renewal of park furniture across the Shire
- Lighting for the Waterlily Park tennis court
- Renewal of the footbridge at Bangalow Parklands
“To see so much work happening in the Byron Shire is absolutely terrific for the community and for Councillors and staff,” Mayor Richardson said.
“To say that the Shire needed some major work at the start of our term in 2016 is an understatement and finally, it is all coming together and the benefits will flow for our residents and businesses for years to come.
“There will always be more work to do and we will continue to apply for grant funding for projects to help our money go further,” he said.
