The Federal Government’s Thriving Suburbs program is set to deliver $11.7 million across six projects in Brisbane to boost liveability.
The Thriving Suburbs Program is designed to build better cities and more liveable suburbs, targeting projects – such as sporting and cultural hubs, libraries and parks – that increase community cohesion, liveability and accessibility.
$1.4 million is being invested into the Graceville Riverside Parkland in Graceville to revitalise the park’s existing infrastructure, providing a tranquil space for the community to gather less than half an hour from the CBD.
It will transform the area with activated open green space, a children’s nature-play area, picnic facilities, and riverbank and fauna habitat stabilisation with widened land intersecting with Oxley Creek and Brisbane River.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, visited the parkland to announce the funding.
Other projects receiving funding in greater Brisbane include over $2.2 million for a new Village Green in the heart of Samford Parklands, right next to the community centre.
With a large lawn for big gatherings, BBQ and picnic facilities, play equipment for children and landscaped gardens with shade trees, it’ll be the perfect meeting point for visitors and locals alike.
Over $2.4 million will also go towards the Talobilla Park Softball Clubhouse in Kippa-Ring for a new fit-for-purpose and accessible softball clubhouse, as well as over $3.6 million for a health and wellness Gateway centre in Toogoolawah, $500,000 for upgrading and expanding The Family Place in Woodridge, and over $1.3 million for walking trails at Esk’s Mount Glen Rock.
These investments are intended to transform and connect local communities, enrich quality of life at a local level, and enhance social inclusion.
Thriving Suburbs is an open and competitive program, with funding awarded on a merit basis, supported by a two-stage assessment process.
Minister King said that councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets.
“We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem – to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs,” Minister King said.
“Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies – and they’re becoming increasingly important.”
Federal Member for Moreton, Graham Perrett, said that this announcement is a demonstration of how the government recognises the importance of elevating urban areas, because that is where most Australians live.
“I’m thrilled to see this funding flowing to a range of local priorities, such as the long called-for Graceville Riverside Parkland, to take them off the drawing board and make them a reality,” Mr Perrett said.
“This project will create a sanctuary less than half an hour from the bustling city, transforming our beautiful parkland by the river with amenities for all to enjoy.”
