Scenic Rim lifts Gallery Walk car park budget by $1.6 million to $6 million

Scenic Rim Regional Council has approved an extra $1.6 million for the Gallery Walk Stage 1 Off-Street Carparking project, taking the total budget for the works to $6 million.

The funding change was endorsed unanimously at a special meeting in Beaudesert on 4 February. The adopted motion approved a one-off reallocation from general revenue through the Quarter Two Budget Review 2025-2026 and added a requirement for monthly reporting to council on project progress.

The meeting agenda identified the item as a project update covering a delivery change and budget increase. Attachments listed with the item included a confidential cost breakdown and project key milestones.

Part of the discussion was held behind closed doors. Councillors voted to close the meeting to the public under section 254J(3)(g) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, which allows confidential discussion about budgeting in a commercial matter. The meeting later resumed in open session, where the amended motion was put and carried unanimously.

For residents and visitors, the practical change is that council has committed additional general revenue to continue delivery of the Gallery Walk parking project. The minutes do not give further detail on construction timing or the reason for the increased costs beyond noting a delivery change and additional costs.

Council also set a reporting condition as part of the approval. Monthly progress reports are now to be provided to councillors on the project, creating an ongoing check on delivery after the budget increase.

The special meeting began at 8.47am at Council Chambers, 82 Brisbane Street, Beaudesert, and ended at 11.08am. The minutes state they are to be confirmed on 25 February 2026.