General News
3 July, 2022
Cassowary Coast Regional Council 2022-2023 Budget Summary
BUDGET GETS BACK TO BASICS
Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s 2022-2023 Budget was handed down at a Special (Budget) Meeting on Wednesday 29 June 2022.
Mayor Mark Nolan presented the budget and associated Operational Plan noting that this had been the toughest budget in his seventeen years as a Councillor.
“We have deliberated hard on minimising the impacts of recent land valuation changes, whilst ensuring we can raise sufficient revenue to deliver essential services and fund critical capital works and renewal of infrastructure,” Cr Nolan said.
“We acknowledge that our community is hurting, the impacts of the housing crisis and the rising cost of living cannot be underestimated and we understand that times are tough for many of our residents. This Council has a responsibility to share the burden where we can.”
Cr Nolan said Council has focused on “getting back to basics” for the 2022-2023 budget.
“This focus whilst not able to reduce the impact of external factors, has allowed Council to prepare a responsible budget, based on providing a sustainable level of essential services to the community and getting the basics right through funding of maintenance and renewal of critical infrastructure.
The budget sees a number of changes to Council’s rating strategies, aimed at sharing the burden of cost of living pressures that are being experienced across the region and reducing the impact of Queensland Government’s land valuations. The gross general rates will not be increased, with the minimum residential rate remaining at $1,171.
By having a 0% gross general rates increase, those property owners unable or struggling to pay their rates on time will see no change to their general rates beyond the impact of the new valuations.
“What has changed is the General Rates Discount which has been reduced from 10% to 5%. This change equates to an additional $1.53 per week on average, for ratepayers who continue to pay their rates on time,” Cr Nolan said.
Cr Nolan said for those in hardship or just looking to manage household budgets, a wide range of payment arrangements remain available.
“Through this budget Council continues to support the most vulnerable members of our community and will retain the $300 Pensioner Rebate, Rating Concession of 100% for eligible community organisations as well as providing our community the option of interest free payment arrangements.
These concessions allow our community, sporting groups and not-for-profits to reinvest back into the great work they do for our community.
The Budget will see Council invest in the future of the region with a $34.8M Capital Program.
Highlights of the budget include:
• WATER - $6.6 million continued investment to further develop water security within the Cassowary Coast.
• TRANSPORT - $8.43 million toward transport including renewal and upgrades of sealed and unsealed roads to improve road conditions across our region.
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- $150k committed to working with our community to establish a roadmap through development of an Economic Development Strategy.
• WASTE MANAGEMENT- $315k investment continuing Council’s commitment to improve infrastructure and meet our target of a 35% reduction in waste to landfill by 2025.
• RECREATION AND NATURAL AREAS - $1.1 million investment toward recreational and natural areas across the region.
• SEWERAGE - $11.2 million continued investment to help cater for population growth and renewal of aging assets.
Cr Nolan said he was excited to advise that this year Council will be doing something it hasn’t done before - visiting localities across the region to bring the budget to the community.
“It is my hope that these meetings will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and better understand our budget decisions and priorities. I look forward to personally communicating how this budget will benefit our community.
“Leading our region is a significant responsibility. It’s not one this Council takes lightly. We recognise that every cent of ratepayer funds must represent an investment in a better future.
This is a budget that gets ‘back to basics’ with funding allocated to areas where it is needed and rationalised based on community priorities to ensure the greatest benefit to you, our community.” Cr Nolan said.
For more information about the 2022-2023 Budget visit www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/budget
