Brisbane Labor Councillor for Forest Lake Ward Charles Strunk has delivered one of his most extensive budget wish‑lists yet, calling on the LNP Lord Mayor and City Treasurer Adrian Schrinner to fund millions of dollars’ worth of upgrades across Forest Lake, Inala, Richlands, Doolandella, Durack and Ellen Grove in the 2026–27 Brisbane City Council budget.
Cr. Strunk’s budget submission for the 2026-27 Financial Year outlines more than 130 individual projects, ranging from new footpaths and road resurfacing to major park redevelopments, traffic signals and sporting facilities.
Safer streets and better transport links
Cr Strunk’s largest collection of requests sits in active transport and road safety. The submission lists over 30 new footpaths, shared paths and link connections, many of them small but critical missing links used by schoolchildren, commuters and residents walking to bus stops.
Several entries highlight safety concerns, including:
- A new footpath or fence extension on High Street, Forest Lake, where “pedestrians including children and grandparents are having to walk on the uneven dirt and grass areas beside the path”.
- A shared‑path upgrade along Acanthus Street, Richlands, to protect cyclists from heavy industrial traffic.
- Multiple new kerb ramps and short connections in Inala and Richlands to improve access to shops, parks and public transport.
Cr Strunk is also seeking new traffic signals at several high‑risk intersections, including Grand Avenue and Woogaroo Street, Government Road and Forest Lake Boulevard, and Woogaroo Street and Johnston Road. One request notes that signals have been “requested constantly by local residents.”
Pedestrian refuge crossings are proposed for Forest Lake Boulevard, Grand Avenue and Woogaroo Street to help families, older residents and people with disabilities cross safely.
Of course, locals are familiar with Cr. Strunk’s ongoing calls for signalling of the Azaela Street, Archerfield Road and Pine Road intersection. While the third design mock-up since 2016 has gone to public consultation, Cr. Strunk is calling on Council to get on with the build.
Road resurfacing dominates infrastructure needs
The submission lists more than 20 roads requiring resurfacing, widening or kerb and channel upgrades. Many of these are in Inala, Richlands and Doolandella, where heavy vehicle traffic and ongoing development have accelerated wear.
The largest resurfacing request is Waterford Road, Ellen Grove, estimated at $500,000, described as carrying “large amounts of traffic including trucks, constant potholes and needing kerb and channelling.”
Parks, playgrounds and lighting upgrades across the ward
Cr Strunk’s budget priorities include a sweeping program of park improvements. These range from small items such as new benches, bubblers, bins and shade sails to major upgrades of playgrounds, sports fields and lighting networks.
Highlights include:
- An estimated $2.5 million upgrade to McEwan Sports Fields in Inala, where “ovals and facilities are extremely old and needing full upgrade.”
- A request for water playground equipment and free Wi‑Fi at Kev Hooper Park, estimated at $5 million.
- Dozens of lighting projects to improve safety along paths, creeks and parklands, including Glasshouse Crescent, Kirribilli Crescent, Pine Village Park and the Forest Lake Sports Fields walkway.
Many parks such as Augusta Crescent, Forbes Park, Desoto Place Park and Jubilee Park, are seeking new or upgraded playgrounds, half‑courts, fitness equipment or BBQ facilities.
Community and sporting projects
The submission also includes several large‑scale proposals:
- A new aquatic complex for Forest Lake, with an $8 million design and planning request.
- Netball courts for Ellen Grove or Forest Lake ($200,000).
- A BMX track for Ellen Grove ($250,000).
- A new multipurpose community facility at Bill Gillespie Park in Richlands.
A call for investment across every suburb
Cr Strunk’s lengthy submission reflects the reality of a rapidly growing region where infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with population growth, school demand and increased traffic. Many requests emphasise safety, accessibility and the need to modernise ageing facilities.
Given the war in Iran driving up energy prices, it is widely expected the Lord Mayor will hand down another austerity budget raising rates, fees and charges from residents while cutting investments into infrastructure and service projects.
With the Lord Mayor’s budget due in June, residents across the Forest Lake Ward will now wait to see which of these projects – large or small, make the final cut.
