The South Burnett Regional Council seems likely to deliver a CPI rate increase of 2.75 per cent when it hands down its 2015-2016 Budget in July.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said today he forecast the 2.75 per cent rate rise in last year’s Budget, and so far Council seems on track to deliver as promised.
This would be the second year in a row where rate rises have been capped to ordinary cost of living increases.
It would also be the second year in a row the Council has delivered the lowest rate rise since the 2008 amalgamation.
The Mayor said because the Council had now reached a sustainable financial position, he expected minimal rate rises to become the norm in future, too.
While details of next year’s Budget are still being finalised, the Mayor said he expects Council will spend between $6 and $6.5 million on road maintenance in 2015-2016, along with $2.1 million on its bridge replacement program.
The Council is looking at replacing three bridges next year, but will be calling quotes for both concrete and steel bridges to assess if it might be possible to extend this to four bridges.
Most capital works spending will centre on completing major projects already underway or soon to commence.
These include the new Murgon Aquatic Complex; the completion of Nanango’s CBD streetscaping; and kerbing and drainage work in Blackbutt to end long-standing flooding problems.
However it was likely Council would also be carrying out roof repairs to the Wondai Town Hall and Customer Service Cente; upgrading some of Proston’s footpaths; and refurbishing Kingaroy’s Glendon Street car park.
