BRISBANE’S Bayside suburbs are set to benefit from a range of road, park and sporting infrastructure projects under Brisbane City Council’s $3.9 billion 2026-27 Budget.
The budget includes upgrades across Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Belmont and surrounding suburbs, alongside a citywide $76.5 million cost-of-living package and record investment in roads, public transport and local infrastructure.
Council says minimum general rates for owner-occupied households will increase by 3.97 per cent, or around 70 cents a week, despite inflation forecast to reach 4.8 per cent.
The Budget also forecasts a $196 million operating surplus and no new borrowings for the first time in nearly a decade, with Council expecting to save ratepayers $202 million in interest payments over the life of existing borrowings.
Among the local projects funded are footpath and bikeway improvements on Wynnum Esp, Gordon Pde at Carbethon St, Preston Road Park Bikeway and Amoria St.
The next stage of the Wynnum Safer School Precinct plan will also progress, including the development of designs for consultation.
Road upgrades are planned for Ernest St and Pine Mountain Rd, while resurfacing works will be carried out on a range of local roads including Tingal Rd, Manly Rd, Oceana Tce and Belmont Rd.
Parks and sporting facilities will also receive funding, including a new carpark at Elanora Park, new changerooms at Kitchener Park for Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League, lighting upgrades at Kianawah Oval for Wynnum Vikings AFL Club, and improvements to playing fields used by the Warehouse Cricket Association.
Council will also finalise and release the Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshore Master Plan before undertaking further consultation.
Additional works include upgrades to Don Randall Park at Lota, lighting at Ed Devenport Rotary Park, dog park improvements at Preston Road Park and new basketball court upgrades at Regent Park in Carina.
The Budget includes a record $110 million for road improvements across Brisbane and more than $213 million for bus, ferry and Brisbane Metro services.
More than $29 million has also been allocated to creek and foreshore management projects, including the Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshore areas.
Wynnum Manly Ward councillor Alex Givney said the budget would help support growth.
“I will continue to work with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to ensure residents are getting more on the Bayside, while paying hundreds of dollars less than other councils.”
Doboy Ward councillor Lisa Atwood said the Budget continued the Council’s ongoing focus on investment.
“This Budget supports the residents, clubs and organisations that make our city so special,” she said.
The Budget also includes a range of cost-of-living measures, including a $60 annual on-time rates discount, increased pensioner rebates, removal of credit and debit card surcharges, free waste vouchers, free native plants and the continuation of free annual kerbside collection services.
Council says more than 80 per cent of the total budget will be spent in suburban Brisbane through its Suburbs First Guarantee.
