Nudgee residents are calling for the immediate reinstatement of the BMX track, dog off-leash area, fitness path, and playground in the Nudgee Recreation Reserve Improvement project plan.
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This comes after Brisbane City Council slashed these items from the plan due to budget constraints. Council stated in a November 29 report that the inclusion of these community assets will be subject to availability of budget funding.
Council highlighted in the report that “the pricing received during tender pricing exceeded expectations, largely attributable to the current inflationary environment including rising input costs.”
The petition reiterates that these simple assets of local community benefit were promised to the residents as an LNP election commitment in 2020 and were already tendered out.
“The decision, with the full support of Cr Adam Allan, to negotiate these out of the current construction contract show poor community priorities while other items in the contract including irrigated sports fields, a leased clubhouse, and a 200 space car park are unchanged,” the petitioner said.
Aside from the scrapped amenities, the project will include shared-use sporting fields that cater for multiple sports including touch football, cricket and soccer; lighting in and around the reserve to extend hours of sporting activity; and a new 223-space car park and pathway connections to Nudgee Train Station and Railway Street for easy access.
The Nudgee Recreation Reserve Improvement project will also include a clubhouse, with change rooms and public toilets. There will also be other amenities for all the community to enjoy such as a playground, picnic settings, and barbecue facilities.
Meanwhile, Council assured residents they are still committed to delivering the project. Construction works are anticipated to commence in March 2022, subject to relevant approvals. Council will also release updates prior to the start of construction.