BUDGET SET TO UPGRADE ROADS ACROSS THE SHIRE

Balonne Shire Council has handed down its largest budget in recent years with a total revenue of $108.67M and expenditure of $90.17M for a broad range of projects and programs across the Shire with over $65M allocated for road maintenance and upgrades.

This achievement is the culmination of many years working towards financial sustainability and lobbying for change in the distribution of the Federal Assistance Grants.

Council has maintained a good position to increase revenue through contract works with the achievement of ISO accreditation for its quality, environmental and safety systems for transport and infrastructure along with maintaining Transport & Main Roads accreditation.

Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole said Council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility has put us in a position to be able to deliver over-and-above for the residents of Balonne.

“Obviously, the delivery of road works is crucial to our Shire and it takes up the lion’s share of our forecast expenditure for the coming financial year. 

“As a Shire with a small population spread over a large geographical area that relies on heavy transport haulage, Council is focussed on doing what it can to continue improving our road network. 

“Having the budget in such a strong position allows us to continue delivering road projects that allow, businesses, residents and visitors to travel safely throughout our region.”

Below is a list of our key road projects for Balonne Shire for the 2023/2024 financial year:

- $50M in Flood recovery road works throughout the Shire (Queensland Reconstruction Authority - QRA)

- Jakelwar-Goodooga Road Upgrade (Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement – Local Recovery and Resilience Grants DRFA-LRRG)

- Jakelwar Goodooga Road South (Balonne Shire Council and Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme and Roads to Recovery Program (TIDS/R2R)) 

- Betterment Project - Jakelwar Goodooga Rd South (BSC and QRA) 

- Betterment Project - Jakelwar Goodooga Rd North (QRA) 

- Bollon-Mitchell Road Upgrade (Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program -RRUPP)

- Whyenbah Road (BSC and TIDS / R2R) 

- Betterment Project - Whyenbah Road (BSC and QRA) 

- Drainage Kerb Replacement / Upgrade Main Street, Dirranbandi ($100,000)

- Rural Grading Water Points ($95,000)

- Local Roads Reseal Programme ($500,000)

- Local Roads Re-sheet Programme ($500,000)

- Local Roads Sealed Road Rehabilitation ($375,000)

- Local Unsealed Road Rehabilitation ($375,000)

- Local Roads (Town) Programme ($250,000)

- Detail Design for Victoria Street between Scott and Henry Streets ($121,000)

- Road Condition Assessment ($148,000)

ENDS