The Brisbane City Council Budget was handed down by Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner on Wednesday, which included an average rate rise of 3.87% across Brisbane.
The Lord Mayor also announced Brisbane’s worst kept secret, a city-wide green bin roll out, costing ratepayers $50 more each year. The Labor Opposition has been calling for green bins for all residents for 5 years and unveiled these plans weeks ago.
Leader of the Council Opposition, Cr Jared Cassidy said Wednesday’s Budget is also another step closer to a toll on the Story Bridge – with just $6million allocated for urgent repairs.
“The Lord Mayor said one footpath could be open by the end of the year, if they keep to their timeline. But we know the Story Bridge will not be fixed with this tokenistic cash splash,” Cr Cassidy said.
“We know this iconic landmark has been left to rot under Adrian Schrinner’s watch and now he’s desperate to look like the one to save it.”
The Opposition also slammed the LNP Administration’s lack of support for the homeless and ongoing cuts to basic maintenance and services in the suburbs.
“Adrian Schrinner is splashing cash on glitzing up Mount Coo-tha, while kicking the vulnerable out of tents in public parks across our city,” Cr Cassidy said.
“We are also two weeks away from a chaotic bus network update which leaves 12-million passengers worse off and cuts routes and bus stops from the suburbs.”
“We also know the cost of living will only get harder for Brisbane residents with this rates rise above inflation and extra waste charges,” Cr Cassidy said.
The Leader of the Opposition was due to hand down his budget reply this morning, but instead tabled is speech and delivered a brief statement:
Chair, over the past 12 months it’s clear that the LNP Council has become an LNP regime. Wednesday’s budget reflects that fact.
This year, we’ve been blocked FIVE TIMES from acting on homelessness, rates relief, footpaths, bushland preservation, and supporting at-risk women and girls.
Good ideas have been placed on ice for almost TWO YEARS because this regime is too cowardly to reject them outright.
We’ve started to expose the Story Bridge cover up, but it shouldn’t be this hard.
Councillors have LESS time to ask questions, LESS time to speak for their community and LESS time to scrutinise this LNP regime.
Don’t just take our word for it. The Courier Mail revealed this week, 85% of all RTI refusals across QLD Councils come from Brisbane City Council.
Brisbane cannot afford ANOTHER MINUTE of this LNP regime.
So now, we’re going to do what you’re scared of doing – going out and listening to the residents of Brisbane.
We’ll see you next week for debate and share what people really think about your budget.
I table my budget reply speech. Thank you Chair.
The Labor Opposition Councillor’s then left City Hall for a full day of meeting community members and campaigning against a potential toll on the Story Bridge.
The Labor team in Council have vowed to return for the Budget debate next week in City Hall with feedback from the community on Adrian Schrinner’s budget.
