Park splash to end as budget purse strings tighten

As ratepayers brace for what will likely be another record rates hike, Logan City Council is building one of the biggest and most expensive parks in the city’s history.

But mayor Jon Raven says the upcoming budget, only weeks away, will not feature the exciting park funding seen in the previous two budgets, which together dedicated $86 million to maintaining, upgrading and building more than 900 parks across town.

“There will be no new, significant money for new parks,” Cr Raven said.

He praised his colleagues for their discipline while putting together the June budget, as the organisation grapples with soaring prices across essential expenses, including contactors and materials.

Of the service enhancements requested by council departments, Cr Raven said councillors had rejected about 95% of them in an effort to reduce spending.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be new park projects announced or funded over the next year.

Any new projects will instead be funded through other methods, such as grants, which Cr Raven said was the standard funding method anyway.

He said the city’s Major Parks Program, which allocates money for the design of new projects, would continue with zero budget cuts.

There are around 20 park projects across the city that are in the design phase, about to start, or under construction.

Recently, construction began on the first stage of the long-anticipated Waterford West District Park on Chambers Flat Road – which council claims is one of the biggest park endeavours undertaken in the city’s history.

This first stage will cost more than $27 million (funded mostly by council, and the rest by the state and federal governments), and be complete in the second half of 2026.

Construction over the next year – which includes a water play zone, an adventure playground, eating facilities, and a nature trail – is part of a broader three-stage master plan.

Funding for the later stages has not yet been allocated or sourced.

These plans date back to 2017, when Cr Raven was in his first term as councillor.

At that time, during the community consultation process, the project received tens of thousands of responses from the community.

“It has been one of those projects that everyone can see is a no-brainer. It is deeply wanted by the community, so it is easy for governments to lean in on,” Cr Raven said.

“Which is why it’s so exciting. It will be the biggest water play facility we’ve got in the city.”

In the last year or so, parks across Logan – including at Beenleigh, Loganholme, Greenbank, Springwood, Boronia Heights, Hillcrest and more – have undergone upgrades.

Upcoming or in-progress (this includes projects already under construction or in design):  

• • Carrick Park, Carrick St, Rochedale South – Construction underway. 
  • Evergreen Park, Evergreen Ave, Loganlea – Construction underway. 
  • Lyrebird Park, Lyrebird St, Loganlea – Construction underway. 
  • Sutton Park, Basie Court, Browns Plains – Playground to be renewed along with the installation of a shade sail and park furniture. 
  • Magellan Park, Raleigh St, Springwood – Construction underway. 
  • Forestglen Park, Parkland Ave, Browns Plains – Construction of a basketball and netball half court to commence in the new financial year. 
  • Koolan Park, Koolan Cres, Shailer Park – The playground is being upgraded under Council’s asset replacement program. Consultation has closed and submissions are under review.   
  • Walkabout Park, Grey Gum Rd, Chambers Flat – Installation of solar lights. 
  • Kingston Skate Park – Following community feedback Council is assessing two sites – Anzac Park and Gould Adams Park as potential sites for a future skate park. Further assessments will now be carried out. 
  • East Beaumont Park, Mount Archer Rd, Park Ridge – Installation of solar lights. 
  • Woodlands District Park, Jarvis Rd, Waterford – expansion of the dog off-leash area and the replacement of the toddler play area. Construction is currently underway. 
  • Echo Park, Echo Court, Marsden – The playground has been replaced. 
  • Sturdee Park, Sturdee St, Loganlea – A project to install cricket nets is underway. 
  • Baroona Park, Brompton St, Rochedale South – it is proposed that two play areas be consolidated into a single playground. Consultation has closed, currently reviewing submissions.  
  • Concorde Park, Concorde Drive, Loganholme – Playground currently being replaced. 
  • Crystal Brook Park, Loch Ness Circuit, New Beith – Existing playground to be extended. 
  • Wearing Park, Greenhill Rd, Munruben – New skate park to be installed. 
  • Danyenah Park, Danyenah St, Loganholme – New shelter and picnic setting to be installed. 
  • McKinnon Sport Park, Maynor Court, Yarrabilba – Design and construction of a skate park. 
  • Belivah Sport Park, Belivah Rd, Belivah – Design and construction of a new playground. 
  • Compton Park, Compton Rd, Woodridge – Existing playground to be replaced in the new financial year.