June 28, 2012
Rates in Gympie will rise by 3.5 per cent after the Gympie Regional Council adopted its 2012-13 Budget yesterday.
The general rate increase is the lowest since the Council was amalgamated and comes after rises of 9.8 per cent (2008), 5.95 per cent (2009), 5.8 per cent (2010) and 4.7 per cent (2011).
But water rates will rise by 5 per cent and sewerage rates by 7.9 per cent “due to the need to comply with State Government requirements relating to full cost pricing”.
And in an attempt to equalise waste disposal costs across the Shire, the Council will also introduce a new fixed charge for those residents in the former Kilkivan and Tiaro Shires who aren’t receiving a kerbside waste collection service. The new charge will be phased in over two years.
However, the Council’s pensioner rebate will increase by $20 to $160 per annum.
Good news for South Burnett residents, Kilkivan will be one of the first two villages in the Shire to be streetscaped, and a new SES facility will be built at Booubyjan.
The 2012/2013 Budget projects a total expenditure of approximately $125 million, with almost $36 million of this to be spent of roadworks (including flood repair works and capital projects, such as repairing the Amamoor Bridge).
The full text of Gympie Mayor Ron Dyne’s 2012-13 Budget Speech:
Gympie Regional Council 2012-13 Budget Statement
presented by Mayor Ron Dyne
It is fair to say that the result of this year’s Council elections for Gympie Regional Council as compared to other regional centres, reflected a view from the community that the first Gympie Regional Council had served the community well and there was no need for drastic change.
It is against this backdrop that I am pleased to say that Council has been able to table today a responsible Budget which reflects the economic mood of the community but also continues to plan for the future.
The Budget reflects the ongoing effort to restore the Region’s roads from the floods of the last two years and other projects relating to key responsibilities including waste management and recreational facilities. It also features some important economic development initiatives.
One of the challenges for Council is to establish a firm footing for developing the region’s long-term sustainability with an appropriate and yet modest increase in the general rate whilst at the same time delivering infrastructure and services which reflect the diverse needs of the community and which would meet the expectations of the residents of any regional centre and its surrounds.
Council’s Corporate Plan states its goals as:
- A Vibrant Community
- A Sustainable Economy
- A Responsibly Managed Environment
- Strong Council Leadership
This budget is built around the objectives and strategies which support these goals and is one of the mechanisms which contributes towards achieving our vision: “Gympie is the region that people are proud to call home.”
Major Considerations
The 2012/2013 Budget, which has now been adopted by Council, projects a total expenditure of approximately $125 million.
The following considerations have impacted on the formulation of this Budget:
- The ever-increasing expectations of our community in all areas of services provided by Council
- The flood damage works required on Council’s infrastructure systems affected by the 2011/12 floods, together with the unexpected Council expenditure which occurred as a result of this event
- Construction and maintenance costs of local government infrastructure continue to increase markedly due to ongoing flood reconstruction as well as pressure due to the mining boom
- The continued slowdown in development resulting in significantly reduced income from fees.
General Rate
To summarise, the general rate for the whole Gympie region will increase by 3.5 per cent. This rate increase will be the lowest for many years. The discount where applicable, will be 5 per cent.
Most significantly, Council’s rebate for eligible pensioners will be increased to $160 per annum, an increase of $20.
Regional tourism is an important element of any regional economy with this being reflected in the effort Councils across Australia put into promoting their regions. In this Budget it has been allocated a total of $343,000 which includes a contribution to Gympie Cooloola Tourism.
As an initiative in this area, Council will also be auspicing the provision of marketing expertise to the value of $40,000 to be utilised on key local events which are volunteer driven.
Events are very important economically for the region and providing this support will assist in ensuring the sustainability and growth of key local events. Council recognises the vital role of Gympie Cooloola Tourism and the part it plays, as well as the large economic contribution that tourism makes to the Gympie region.
Economic Development
Council continues to emphasise its role in economic development with the creation of the Economic Development Reference Group.
This advisory group will join the activities of the Economic Development Unit which include working with the business community, actively seeking, promoting and assisting businesses and industry expansion within the region.
This Budget has an allocation of $273,800 which includes State Government grants of $198,800 which will assist in achieving the goal of developing a strong and diverse community.
A major focus of this Unit presently is to work with existing industry and businesses within our region to assist with continual growth and profitability, which will facilitate opportunities for employment creation.
A key economic development initiative will be an emphasis on the future sustainability of town centres and how they can be assisted.
Council has provided funding for the commencement of a project aimed at achieving future economic sustainability of Mary St. It is timely for Council to look at the various elements of Mary St which determine its success and sustainability including urban design, retail trends, parking and planning provisions.
Such a project requires careful planning and research and will be developed over a period of time. Mary St is the true heart of Gympie City and Council has a responsibility to play an active part in ensuring its ongoing viability. This project has even more focus with the recent approval of seven-day trading.
Similarly Council will undertake streetscape planning for its small towns commencing with Kilkivan and Kandanga. These projects have proven successful elsewhere and play an important role in not only economic sustainability but in also building community pride.
Road Works
The damage to infrastructure from the February 2011 flood event across the whole region placed an enormous burden on staff and finances.
Whilst much work has been undertaken to repair these roads, it is ongoing and compounded by the lesser, but still damaging floods earlier this year. Many roads have had temporary repairs put in place which will remain for some time yet, while the backlog of work is completed.
Works to the value of $2.7M will be undertaken on the Amamoor Bridge to help repair this vital piece of transport infrastructure which was severely damaged during the flooding in March 2012.
Council applied to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) for funding assistance to have the current timber bridge replaced with a two lane concrete bridge. QRA have provided exceptional assistance in its timely response to Council’s request for assistance. The design process is underway to have the bridge in place for the 2013 Gympie Music Muster.
Approximately $15 million will be spent in the coming year on flood restoration works.
These funds will be joined by expenditure of almost $6 million in road maintenance and over $15 million in capital works on roads to give a total of almost $36 million being expended on roads in the coming financial year.
Community and Culture
The interests and activities of our community are diverse. A major focus for Council is working with the community to help advance the development of infrastructure and services which in turn contribute to the diversity of our regional community.
Most importantly if Council is to help grow a region where it is attractive to live, work and play and to encourage new residents, then a range of community facilities and services need to be supported.
Focussing on our corporate goal of a vibrant community, Council has funded approximately $2.2 million for operational and capital expenditure for the region’s libraries.
Council’s Regional Art Gallery has been allocated $470,000 for operational expenditure enabling the continuation of high standard exhibitions for our community and visitors.
Council has allocated $270,000 for detailed designs to be undertaken for the construction of the much needed Gympie Aquatic Cntre facility. This project is being given priority during this Gympie Regional Council term.
Council’s parks and reserves have been provided the amount of $1.724 million for ongoing maintenance and $755,000 for capital improvements. Visitors’ first impressions of Gympie and its surrounds are formed by how we present the region with our renowned parks and gardens a key part of this presentation.
Maintaining and upgrading of swimming pools has been allocated $492,800.
Council puts significant resources into disaster management, with this taking on a renewed significance in recent times. In addition to Council’s own activities in this area, it will continue to support the SES to the value of $297,000 which will include a new facility at Booubyjan and Kybong.
The excellent work carried out by our community’s many volunteer organisations will continue to be recognised by Council. With a strong sense of community pride, Council will continue to assist these groups to meet their community service activities. An amount in excess of $367,000 has been provided to organisations in the Gympie region by way of rate rebates, works in kind and cash sponsorship.
Environmental Protection
Council’s ongoing Lands Protection strategy in the areas of environmental, noxious weeds and wild dog control has been allocated just over $1 million.
In order to ensure the effectiveness of this area, Council will be establishing a Weeds and Pest Advisory Group comprising landholders, Council and key stakeholders.
An Environment Levy of $30 per assessed property will partly fund these operations, together with support for a number of environmental activities, including projects co-ordinated by Landcare, Coastcare, Cityfarm, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Mary River Catchment Co-ordinating Committee.
Infrastructure Improvement Charge
Council’s Infrastructure Improvement Charge will remain at $100 per assessed property.
These funds are a contribution toward the cost of maintenance, renewal and depreciation costs of Council’s infrastructure network. Council is focussed on ensuring the sustainable management and replacement of its existing infrastructure.
Council currently administers three planning schemes linked to the former shires of Cooloola, Kilkivan and Tiaro. The new planning scheme which will be adopted in the coming months, will replace these existing schemes with a single, Region-wide document. Council has provided funding of $50,000 to start the development of the next level of detailed structure planning needed to enable development to be undertaken in accordance with the new planning scheme.
Cleansing and Waste Management Charges
Council will be undertaking major initiatives in waste management in the coming years which will reflect the need to manage and dispose of waste in the most environmentally and cost effective manner.
Capital works funded for waste management facilities in the coming year for the amount of $7.75 million will include the construction of a transfer station at Bonnick Road Landfill to remove the need for residents to access the tipping face; the construction of additional capacity at Bonnick Road and further planning for the next landfill site at Toolara, as well as the construction of a Coastal transfer station.
The Budget provides $2.743 million for operational costs for Waste Management facilities in the region. The Waste Management Operation charge will increase to $230 for those properties in the contract service area of the previous Cooloola Shire who opt not to have a wheelie bin service.
Council will introduce a fixed charge for those residents in the former Kilkivan and Tiaro Shires who are not receiving a kerbside service.
Council currently expends significant funds maintaining transfer stations in the western sections of the region and it was considered inequitable for some residents to have free waste disposal whilst others paid the full cost of the service. In recognition of the cost, Council will be phasing in the charge over 2 years with the charge in the first year being $60.
Council’s water and sewerage charges will see a rise due to the need to comply with State Government requirements relating to full cost pricing. Water rates will rise by 5 per cent and sewerage rates by 7.9 per cent.
Water Charges
The Water Access Charge for a residential property will be $342.90. 1st tier consumption charge will be 0.95cents per kilolitre and 2nd tier consumption charge of $1.64 per kilolitre. Capital Works for Water Supply amount to $2.19 million.
Sewerage Charges
The Sewerage Charge for residential use will be $587.04. Total Capital Works for sewerage systems amount to $3.47 million, which includes $1 million for ongoing works on the Southside Sewerage Project.
Summary
The Budget that Council has adopted today will progress the Gympie Regional Council area.
It provides the capacity to continue with capital improvement as well as major restorative infrastructure works due to flood damage and to meet the increasing demands of our growing region as well as our environmental responsibilities for a sustainable future.It takes a dedicated team of strong individuals to make difficult decisions to advance the Gympie region and achieve a financially sustainable Council.
I would sincerely like to thank my fellow Councillors for their serious deliberations and contributions during the Draft Budget debate and staff for their assistance in the formulation of this Budget.
Special recognition needs to be given to the Director of Financial Services Yvonne Oliver and the Chief Executive Officer Bernard Smith for their commitment and guidance. Appreciation is expressed to the Directors and General Managers for their assistance throughout the whole Budget process.
Thank you.
