PETITION – REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL UPGRADE THE ESPLANADE FROM WYNNUM TO LOTA TO
THE SAME STANDARD AS REDCLIFFE, TOWNSVILLE OR CAIRNS, INCORPORATING FEATURES SUCH AS A
SWIMMING LAGOON AND IMPROVED WATER PLAY AREA
CA14/153663
25. An ePetition requesting that Council upgrade the esplanade from Wynnum to Lota to the same standard as Redcliffe,
Townsville or Cairns, incorporating features such as a swimming lagoon and improved water play area, was presented to
the meeting of Council held on 25 February 2014, by Councillor Peter Cumming, and received.
26. The Divisional Manager, City Planning and Sustainability, supplied the following information.
27. Between 2004 and 2008, Council undertook a capital park upgrade project known as the Brisbane Foreshore Parklands Project.
A concept plan was prepared for the esplanades at Wynnum, Manly, Sandgate and Shorncliffe with a budget of $24 million allocated.
Of that, $14 million was spent on the Wynnum, Manly and Lota esplanade upgrades.4
28. Through community consultation, Council undertook a prioritisation exercise and as a result the following upgrades
were completed along the eastern esplanade:
– Wynnum Wading Pool precinct, Wynnum
– Breakwater Park, Wynnum
– George Clayton Park, Wynnum
– Bayside Park, Manly.
29. Further funding of $2 million was allocated to the Brisbane Foreshore Parklands Project in 2011 to upgrade the Lota Camping Reserve parkland at Lota.
30. At the time of the Brisbane Foreshore Parkland Project upgrades, the eastern foreshore already had a range of
interactive natural and man-made water facilities including:
– the Wynnum wading pool
– Whales water play area at Wynnum
– Manly public pool
– accessible beaches at Wynnum and Manly
31. In relation to the foreshore improvements at Cairns and Townsville, the Australian Government provided a substantial grant to boost funding, enabling these cities to create larger spaces through land reclamation.
32. Council continues to purchase new land for future park establishments each year, while managing its existing parks, of which there are more than 2,000. Given the substantial investment along Brisbane’s eastern esplanade in recent years, it is not considered a high citywide priority. However, further upgrades will be considered for foreshore parklands in Wynnum and Lota when funding becomes available.
33. It is recommended that the petitioners be advised that given the substantial investment along Brisbane’s eastern esplanade in recent years, funding for further development is not considered a high citywide priority. Council will consider further upgrades of the precinct as part of the annual citywide budget process.
Consultation
34. Councillor Peter Cumming, Councillor for Wynnum Manly Ward, was consulted on 19 May 2014 and does not support the recommendation below.
35. The Divisional Manager recommends as follows and the Committee agrees, with Councillors Peter Cumming and Kim Flesser dissenting.
36. RECOMMENDATION:
THAT THE PETITIONERS BE ADVISED THAT, given the substantial investment along Brisbane’s eastern esplanade in recent years, funding for further development is not considered a high citywide priority. COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER FURTHER UPGRADES OF THE PRECINCT AS PART OF THE ANNUAL CITYWIDE BUDGET PROCESS.