Gympie Regional Council has announced at 3.2 per cent general rate rise in their 2013-2014 Budget.
However the council will also be increasing water supply charges by 5 per cent and sewerage charges by 7.9 per cent.
This will leave many ratepayers facing an overall increase of 6.8 per cent in council charges.
This year’s general rate rise is the lowest in Gympie Shire since the council was formed in the 2008 amalgamations.
It follows last year’s 3.5 per cent increase; a 9.8 per cent hike in 2011; and rises of 5.95 per cent, 5.8 per cent and 4.7 per cent in the three previous years.
Mayor Ron Dyne said the Budget was a responsible one that would see most people paying $2.28 per week more; some paying up to $3.28 a week more; and some paying less than last year.
He said the Budget projected a total expenditure of $125 million, with a capital works program of almost $30 million and no new borrowings.
The prompt payment discount will be 5 per cent and the council rebate for eligible pensioners will remain at $160 a year.
Headline projects for the coming year include:
- $15 million on flood restoration works
- $6.4 million in road maintenance
- $16 million on capital works on roads
- $2.8 million on waste management capital works
- $1.2 million for noxious weed and wild dog control.
- $343,000 for tourism promotion
- $270,000 for economic development projects (including State Government grants of $152,000)
- $100,000 towards Gympie CBD revitalisation
- $140,000 to boost the town centres of Kandanga and Kilkivan
- $60,000 to develop Structure Plans for East Deep Creek, Victory Heights and Southside
- $30,000 to develop landscaping plans for Gunalda and Amamoor
The 3.2 per cent general rate increase exceeds the Consumer Price Index rise for the 12 months ended March this year (2.5 per cent) and also the Australian Bureau of Statistics wage index increase (3.1 per cent).
However, it is in line with the road and construction industry cost increase published by the Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport for the year ended March (3.2 per cent).
It is also slightly less than the Local Government Association of Queensland’s forecast.
Earlier this year the LGAQ estimated that all councils would have to lift rates by 3.3 per cent.
