Councillors have voted to move forward with a public art and nature play feature at Davidson Park, Beaudesert, which will cost ratepayers $470,000, despite comments alluding to Scenic Rim Regional Council’s dire financial situation.
The project, partially funded to the tune of $430,000 under the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal Public Art Initiatives, was the subject of a Special Meeting held on June 10.
At the Ordinary Meeting held on May 28, 2025, Council resolved in principle to progress with the proposed nature-based water play park in Beaudesert subject to 2026-27 budget deliberations.
However the funding was never approved through the budget process and the project was put out for tender on May 14, one week after the Mayor raised concerns about the process.
The Special Meeting discussed whether to continue with the project funded from the public art budget by $120,000 and a further $350,000 in the capital budget for 2026-27, a total of $470,000.
Cr Amanda Hay had prepared an alternate motion which she was not allowed to put to the meeting due to meeting process.
In the scheme of things…
During the meeting, Mayor Tom Sharp said due to budget considerations all capital items are under review.
Arts portfolio councillor Kerri Cryer spoke passionately in favour of the project, describing it as a “worthwhile, iconic project for the whole region”.
In summing up, she stated the $350,000 was a small sum which would create something people would be proud of.
“The amount of money we’re talking about is very small in the whole scheme of things, in what has been hailed as the crisis of our council, when just moving forward, this is something that people could have pride for their region and want to live here and enjoy being part of the Scenic Rim itself,” she said.
“It can only be bigger and better, as we move forward, for our Scenic Rim, and give people a sense of pride, community, local identity and social cohesion which is very important in this time when people are experiencing economic pressure that they have something they can take their families to at no cost to them.”
“To take this away would be a great disservice to our community.”
Grandstanding
At one stage of the meeting, Cr Jennifer Sanders called a point of order, saying the meeting was not about budget.
“If you continue to pursue this line of questioning I will have to progress a motion that the chairperson is engaging in unsuitable meeting conduct as per the standing orders and model meeting procedures,” she said, referring to the Mayor’s comments.
Later, when Mayor Sharp was responding to a question raised, she and Cr Marshall Chalk urged the Mayor to put the motion and Cr Sanders accused the Mayor of “grandstanding”.
Answers
Tamborine Mountain News asked what council’s projected budget surplus or deficit is for the current financial year.
Council responded by stating they were “unable to provide the information requested at this stage”.
Tamborine Mountain News asked councillors what they would consider to be a ‘lot of money’ and what their priorities are as councillors.
Cr Chalk responded, attacking the integrity of the newspaper.
His response in full is published in the letters to the editor on page 14.
The motion to continue with the project was passed with Councillors Kerri Cryer, Jennifer Sanders, Marshall Chalk and Duncan McInnes voting in favour and Mayor Tom Sharp and Councillors Amanda Hay and Stephen Moriarty voting against.
