Cr Sarroff’s proposition to reduce Divisional allocations to $200,000 per annum is going to hurt the community. This is typical of Eddy who gets the language right – we should cut costs – but the delivery wrong – these are all highly desired projects that benefit local communities!
 
Projects in Division 5 -   2011-12
 
$50,000 – General allocation for small projects in Parks and Reserves                                    
$30,000 – General allocation for Roads and Drainage (eg guardrails, safety fencing)                                                  
$5,000 – Miscellaneous Investigations (design costs)                                                         
$45,000 – Community Grants and Donations (more than 40 groups provided with financial assistance this year)           
$20,000 – Community Concerts and Functions (eg Nerang Youth Festival, tribute to Damien Leeding in Pacific Pines, National skateboarding championship and skate workshops in Nerang)
$12,000 – Parks Alive Activity Program (eg tai-chi, outdoor films)                                         
$30,000 – Active & Healthy Program (eg school holiday activities in pools and parks)          
$15,000 – Nerang Celebrates Christmas                                                                             
$3,000 – Nerang RSL ANZAC Day                                                                                     
$20,000 – Paradise Country, Nerang Improvements and repairs                                          
$50,000 – Contribution towards YourBus home pick up bus service in Pacific Pines            
$17,000 – Community Development Officer Pacific Pines (1 day per week)                         
$34,000 – Community Development Officer Nerang (2 days per week)                                
$30,000 – Nerang Community Garden                                                                                
$50,000 – Improvements to facilities for Nerang Cardinals Baseball Club                            
$40,000 – Improvements and repairs to Bert Swift Hall, Nerang                                           
$75,000 – Replacement of old BBQ shelters Bischof Park Nerang                                      
$50,000 – Street tree program throughout Division                                                             
$15,000 – Contribution to ongoing improvement works at Nerang Cemetery                        
$47,000 – Pathway connecting two parks, Sandalwood Drive Nerang                                  
$25,000 – Play equipment Sandalwood Drive Nerang                                                         
$21,000 – Repairs to vandalised play equipment at Parklake                                               
$40,000 – Exercise equipment in Bert Swift Park Nerang                                                    
$40,000 – Exercise equipment in Central Park Pacific Pines                                                
$60,000 – Upgrades to Nerang BMX track  

I challenge anyone, including Eddy Sarroff, to identify which of these projects should not be funded if his proposed ‘cost-cutting’ measure is to be implemented.
 
There are two salient points that need to be made:
a)   some Divisions (including his) have significant sums available in addition to the Divisional funds from sources such as ‘Tables and Chairs’. This is worth hundreds of thousands per annum in some areas and allows expenditure on events and projects that in other areas must be funded from the Divisional allocation – examples being Christmas events, festivals and other celebrations, street-scaping and improvements to business precincts.
b)    Some of the projects above clearly should be funded from Whole of City eg cemetery upgrades, YourBus, upgrades to Bert Swift Hall and staff. I pay for community development officers (only one actually employed) but in other areas these are funded from Whole of City. There are heaps of inconsistencies like this. I provide the funds because they aren’t available from Whole of City but these are important projects.
 
It may sound good to ‘cut the Councillors funds’ but the reality is these projects are legitimate and through the existing system:
a)    Must comply with strict policies;
b)    Can be funded and completed much more quickly than through the Whole of City budgeting system and project scheduling
c)    If they aren’t funded from Divisions, then they either get funded Whole of City or don’t go ahead at all.