Driving every dollar further

Clever ideas to combat rising costs

Innovation in roads maintenance is one of the cornerstones of Logan City Council’s 2023/24 Budget.

The budget includes a $265 million spend on roads, drainage and engineering services, including $121 million in upgrades across the 2400km road network.

Ongoing and proposed works have been significantly impacted by the soaring cost of bitumen, concrete, steel and other road construction materials.

Mayor Darren Power said Council was committed to exploring new and more efficient practices to offset these rising costs and deliver as many kilometres of new and upgraded roads as possible for the funding allocated.

“The prices of concrete, steel and bitumen have soared up to 30 per cent in the last year and there have also been increases in fuel, skill shortages and supply chain issues,” Councillor Power said.

“To address this, we have worked with some of the best and brightest engineers to deliver solutions.”

This includes trialling innovative ways to monitor and repair roads with high-tech cameras and artificial intelligence-based computer programs.

“This technology is being harnessed to map hundreds of kilometres of the city’s roads so minor repairs can be done before they become major projects,” Cr Power said.

Council’s road crews have also trialled a specially equipped truck, known as a Jet Patcher, which allows for faster, safer and more efficient repair of potholes.

Since January last year, more than 30,000 potholes have been repaired across the city and works will continue as needed.

To further offset rising costs, and to allow roads and drainage projects to continue as scheduled, Council has bought a year’s supply of concrete pipes, and used recycled crushed concrete and alternative bitumen combinations.

Council’s $1.089 billion Budget will boost the delivery of essential services to the community while also upgrading existing facilities and constructing new ones.

Key projects and funding allocations include:

• the continuation of the Mayor’s Local Job and Skills Taskforce which has already delivered more than 300 local employment opportunities to jobseekers of all ages.
• funding to build on the 53 general community spaces and 17 community centres already provided by Council, including money to start construction of the Wilbur St youth centre in Logan Central.
• $63 million for the management and maintenance of the city’s 962 parks and reserves over the next 12 months, including $13.4 million for capital works.
• Improving the Logan and Albert Rivers through a deep clean to remove larger items washed into local waterways during last year’s floods.
• the expansion and upgrade of the citywide safety camera network, which is already one of the largest in Australia.
• the installation of more solar panels on Council buildings and facilities to help reduce soaring electricity bills.
• investing in more solar-powered speed advisory signs and safe parking campaigns, particularly around schools.
• a standalone rapid response crew to target illegal dumping of abandoned and burnt-out vehicles, unlawful signage and shopping trolleys.

For more information about Council’s Budget, go to logan.qld.gov.au/reports-and-publications/budget-fees-and-charges