June 19, 2015
Toowoomba ratepayers will face a 3 per cent rate rise – but no increase in water charges – after Toowoomba Regional Council handed down its 2015-16 Budget today.
This year’s Budget follows rises of 4.5 per cent in 2013-14 and 4.0 per cent in 2014-15, and is the lowest general rate rise since amalgamation.
Mayor Paul Antonio said the year ahead would be characterised by responsible spending to meet the community’s critical needs.
$213 million of the Council’s $495 million Budget will be spent on capital works, while the remaining $282 million will go on operational expenditure.
Mayor projects include:
- $14 million to build stage 1 of the new sports precinct in Highfields
- $17 million to complete stage 1 of Toowoomba’s civic precinct and library.
- $60 million of capital funding to local roads .
- $54 million to fund water and wastewater capital works projects
- $22 million on the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility in O’Mara’s Road, Charlton
- $18 million on maintaining and enhancing parks and open spaces
The Council will also aggressively pursue business and investment opportunities for the region in China through its wholly-owned company Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Pty Ltd.
Yarraman residents will see upgrades to the town’s library and post office buildings in the year ahead.
Video: Toowoomba 2015-16 Budget Highlights
Budget Statement from
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio
It’s an exciting time to be part of the Toowoomba Region and Council continues to deliver on our 2014-2019 Corporate Plan.
The financial year ahead will be characterised by responsible spending in order to meet the critical needs of our community.
This is a budget that uses our strong financial position to enhance services to our residents and seize the opportunities before us.
This budget can best be described as:
- Fiscally responsible
- Responsive to the needs of the community and
- Positive about our future
Traditionally, local governments were always about the Three Rs… rates, rubbish and roads… and even though these still form a major part of our core business, the contemporary business of Council is much, much broader than it ever has been before.
The formation of Toowoomba Regional Council in 2008 ushered in an era of massive change which is still shaping the way in which our modern, progressive organisation delivers products and services to our community.
Our task, as a local government, is to provide the community’s essential services in an economically responsible manner.
Today Council hands down a $495 million budget with a capital works program of $213 million and an operational expenditure of $282 million.
1. A responsible fiscal approach
This means striking a balance between sound financial management and further encouraging the significant growth the region is experiencing at present.
We are keenly aware of the cost of living pressures faced by our residents. Council has been working very hard on getting the balance right, and more telling – has delivered – consecutive years of lower General Rate increases during the three years of my administration.
From 4.5% in 2013/14 to 4.0% in 2014/15 and today… we announce a conservative 3.0% in the General Rate for the financial year ahead – indeed, today’s increase being the lowest General rise since amalgamation.
And I am pleased to announce that there will be no increase to water charges in the year ahead.
2. Respond to the needs of the community
We are listening to our community, understanding what is being said and responding to what is needed in a timely manner. No clearer examples of this is the $14 million sports precinct in Highfields or the $17 million allocation to complete stage 1 of our civic precinct and library.
3. Planning ahead
We have balanced our immediate service needs with keeping an eye to the future… and planning for the type of region we want 10 and 20 years from now.
And, in relation to our future sustainability – we are pleased to announce the Queensland Treasury Corporation, our banker, has revised upwards Council’s Credit Rating to Sound with a Neutral Outlook to reflect our current financial strength and just as importantly Councils effectiveness and commitment to long-term financial planning – an undeniable hallmark of this Administration.
This Budget showcases how Toowoomba Regional Council embraces change with prudent and responsible financial management.
After a number of years undertaking flood recovery works across the region it is time to get back to basics in our Infrastructure portfolio, however, this still means a significant spend to the tune of $82 million on capital funding.
This will include $60 million of capital funding to local roads across our expansive region.
Despite previous long-term historical trends, major project funding continues to be provided by the State and Federal government which can only be seen as a tremendous vote of confidence in our region.
We are working with Projects Queensland to plan the infrastructure and interconnections needed to ensure the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing integrates seamlessly with our local road network.
This is a project we as a Council are looking towards with tremendous anticipation as it will not only take the trucks out of the city, but will when combined with the inland rail network position the greater city area as a major national logistics hub.
The $1.6 billion project will be realised by an 80% contribution by the Federal Government and a 20% State Government contribution. We would like to thank both levels of government for their continued support of this region-changing project.
We are looking to build a smarter, better supported community as education is a critical factor in driving the Council’s long-term strategies to build a stronger regional economy.
Our major investment in this area is the new library which will become ground central for community learning. The Library and Stage 1 of the Civic Square project with a budget of $17 million will be completed in the next financial year.
Just under $54 million will fund water and wastewater capital works projects and a further $40.5 million will fund operations and maintenance of water and sewerage across the region.
By the end of December this year residents will see the completion of the new state of the art Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility in O’Mara’s Road Charlton at a project cost of around $22m.
Parks and Recreation has $18 million allocated to maintain and enhance our parks and open space, while $9.5 million is being spent to complete Stage 1 of the new Sports Precinct in Highfields.
Council investment in its own workforce is also an investment in its community. During 2015-16 Council will adopt the most efficient work systems and practices to create a better, more contemporary organisation and therefore improve on service delivery outcomes for the community.
Further, Council continues its focus on creating an environment conducive to “Doing Business” and attracting more investment to the region.
We are doing this on multiple fronts.
Council is offering incentive programs to encourage development while preserving our city’s past.
We are encouraging better links with Asia through our support and investment in our wholly owned company – Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Pty Ltd – with an eye to developing links with the massive economic power of China.
We believe that driving jobs is fundamental to the continuing success of this community which already leads the nation as one of the three most diverse regional economies in Australia.
We know that current cost of living is high…and that there are some in our community who are doing it tough…
While Council can’t control all the costs of living, we can control our own spending and debt levels and we have been mindful of this in preparing this budget.
There has been 6 months of hard work and meetings in the lead up to today…but importantly…throughout the whole year, Councillors are putting forward priorities for their portfolios to be considered by Council. I am proud that this Council has reached a budget process over the past 3 years that provides an opportunity for all Councillors to have a significant input on behalf of their community.
This budget belongs to all Councillors and I thank each and every one of you for your dedication and commitment to our community.
I also want to thank our very dedicated staff across all areas of the organisation and particularly General Manager Arun Pratap, Mike Stalley and the Finance Team for their work in delivering today’s budget.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a budget that aims to have minimal impact on the hip pocket whilst continuing to build and strengthen our community.
Treading the line between fiscal responsibility, supporting the community, and providing economic stimulus is a significant challenge, but I believe we have the balance right… and this budget delivers for all in the Toowoomba Region.
- External link: Toowoomba Regional Council 2015-16 Budget Statements
