South-east Queensland's new $30 million interstate rail freight centre begins to unload trains in January 2017, courtesy of a $9.6 million state government grant in Thursday's Scenic Rim Regional Council budget.
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That grant allows the much talked-about Bromelton interstate rail freight rail depot to begin unloading rail freight near Beaudesert.
The Scenic Rim Regional Council – and successive Queensland governments – hope the rail freight hub on 15,000 hectares will be a new lease of life for the "dormitory" Scenic Rim region.
The first freight train arrives at Bromelton from Melbourne on January 17 at 3.19am. The freight site saves the costs of unloading at Acacia Ridge for rural Queensland.
The Scenic Rim Regional Council voted to begin 15-year master plans for Boonah, Beaudesert and Tamborine Mountain – where new town centres will be built – as it handed down a 2.5 per cent average residential rates increase for the 38,000 residents of the rural shire.
Scenic Rim's new mayor Greg Christensen said the council hoped to design "signature town centres" as part of the master planning of Boonah, Beaudesert and Tamborine Village, as part of the $96 million budget.
"I believe we are on the threshold of a period of great opportunity," Cr Christensen said.
"The Bromelton development is just the start. There are many other things that are coming up behind it."
Cr Christensen said the Bromelton rail freight developers had already told him they need 100 new employees to begin operating on January 17.
"Getting jobs in the region is one thing. Getting people to live here for those jobs is really where we are heading," he said.
"We have earmarked funds for the delivery of a signature town square or gateway project which reflects the unique characteristics and personality of these three towns," Cr Christensen said.
He said the Scenic Rim had a problem with "escaping revenue".
"So we have a lot of people who use us as a dormitory state and commute," he said.
"If we can create an engine room of jobs out here, and let's face it, we have a way better lifestyle than Brisbane out here.
"We have larger blocks out here and people can really experience the Australian dream out here."
Major road projects
The major road project is Kilmoylar Road, between Undullah Road and Edward O'Neill Bridge, which will be upgraded to bitumen, Cr Christensen said.
"It reflects the long-term importance of this road as a north-south connection between Scenic Rim and Logan City and complements the replacement of Edward O'Neill Bridge in partnership with Logan in 2015."
What ratepayers pay?
On average each Scenic Rim household faces a $22.35 a year rates increase over 2016-17, however individual households face higher or lower rates depending on the value of their property.
General rates a week will rise from an average of $21.85 a week, to $22.35 a week; up 54 cents a week, with the minimum rate rising from $1134 last year to $1162 a year.
"The vast majority of Scenic Rim owner-occupiers, some 92 per cent, will receive a rate increase of 2.5 per cent," Cr Christensen said.
The average residential rate in rural areas is slightly higher at $1274 a year.
Where is Scenic Rim?
Scenic Rim Regional Council is west of Ipswich and includes the towns of Beaudesert, Boonah, Rathdowney, Kooralbyn, Kalbar, Tamborine Mountain and Aratula.
The budget shows a threefold increase in grants and subsidies to the council in 2016-17; jumping from $3.5 million in 2015-16 to $12.93 million in 2016-17. About $9 million is for Bromelton.
Key budget facts
- $3.5 million for new town squares for Boonah, Beaudesert and Tamborine Mountain
- $31.4 million on roads and bridges; a 38 per cent increase on 2015-16
- $2.15 million to rebuild Munbilla Road, a connection to Logan City
Other road projects
- Veresdale Scrub Road Stage 3 upgrade at Veresdale ($450,000)
- Barney View Road at Barney View ($630,000)
- Kooralbyn Road at Kooralbyn ($285,000)
Bridge replacements
- $6 million to replace Churchbank Bridge at Mutdapilly and Adams Bridge at Rosevale
- $780,000 for major rehabilitation work to Retschlag Bridge (Mt Barney)
- Tait Bridge (Maroon), Newman Bridge (Maroon), Johnson Bridge (Rathdowney), Mollenhagen Bridge (Illinbah) and Josephville Bridge (Josephville)
Other projects
- $2.5 million over 10 years for new park equipment, with $250,000 this year
- $285,000 to promote the local tourism industry which draws $150 million to the region each year
- The July 2 "Eat Local" Festival drew 23,000 visitors and generated $1.2 million in one weekend
