Labor’s Lord Mayor hopeful, Tracey Price has detailed her plan to boost mosquito eradication across Brisbane’s suburbs.
Mozzies have swarmed Brisbane in this summer and health concerns are building following the Chief Health Officer’s recent warnings over the spread of Ross River Fever.
Tracey Price has slammed Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his LNP Council for their $1million underspend of the mosquito spraying budget over the past two years.
“It’s not good enough. Mosquito spraying is a health and safety measure and should be a top priority for Council, particularly with current health warnings in place,” said Mrs Price.
“What’s really disappointing is that Adrian Schrinner and the LNP do a lot of talking when it comes to managing mosquitoes but seem to have dropped the ball this summer.”
A Labor Council will commit an additional $2million over the next four years to mozzie spraying.
The funding will purchase additional equipment and add five more staff to the ground crew, meaning more sprays can take place.
There’s currently just 21 mozzie spraying staff to tackle 2500 potential freshwater breeding sites across the city.
It’s been revealed that in addition to the mosquito spray underspend, Brisbane City Council completely skipped spray in the northern suburbs in October after they announced a $400million cut to the budget.
Leader of the Opposition, Jared Cassidy has expressed his disappointment, saying missing a spray is a good enough reason to show the Schrinner administration the door this election.
“Brisbane residents are being eaten alive by mosquitoes at the hands of Adrian Schrinner,” Cr Cassidy said.
“It’s one of the biggest issues my office gets contacted about and is a serious health and safety concern.”
“Council’s underspend on mozzie spraying has been happening for years, but what’s worse is Queensland Health have now sent out warnings about mosquito-borne diseases and there’s still not enough being done.”
Tracey’s website has the full list of measures her Labor team have outlined in their Environmental Policies, as well as more information about Tracey and her plans to deliver more for Brisbane.
