June 20, 2016
Gympie Regional Council (GRC) ratepayers who pay their rates promptly to secure the 10 per cent discount will face a 2.1 per cent rate rise this year … but this will turn into a 5.1 per cent rate rise if they don’t.
The Council handed down its 2016-17 Budget last Thursday.
Apart from the rate rise – which Mayor Mick Curran said would amount to about $1.05 per week for properties in town areas and 59c a week for rural properties – Gympie Region residents will also face a three per cent increase in water supply access, water consumption and sewerage charges.
The Council will retain its $160 per year pensioner discount, and will raise developer infrastructure charges to bring them closer to a full “user pays” situation in order to hold rates down for ordinary residents.
This year GRC will also scrap its $85 per year Waste Management Levy, but will introduce a new $65 Economic Development Levy in its place.
Money raised by this new levy will go towards funding the recommencement of the Mary Valley Rattler, which the Council proposes to turn into a major regional tourist attraction.
The Council will also continue to tip $150,000 a year into the Gympie Music Muster; $50,000 into the Rush Festival; $24,500 into the Gympie Show; and $195,000 into community grants.
The Budget sets out a $48 million capital works program, and sets aside $10 million for the completion of the Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre.
The Council is aiming for a surplus of $1.47 million this year.
For residents in the south-western portion of Gympie Region, this year’s Budget also offers a few extra sweeteners.
Lower Wonga Hall will get a $37,500 playground; Booubyjan Hall will get some minor upgrades; Kilkivan’s landfill will have $462,000 spent on its rehabilitation; and Goomeri will get a minor makeover as part of the Council’s “Our Towns” sustainable centres program.
The full text of Gympie Mayor Mick Curran’s 2016-17 Budget speech appears below:
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Gympie Mayor’s 2016-17 Budget Speech
Today I present the 2016-17 Budget to the Gympie regional community.
This Budget continues to deliver a broad range of services, infrastructure and key major projects to work towards the vision of the Gympie region being the natural choice to live, work and play.
Council has again worked hard to deliver a financially responsible and balanced Budget, which keeps rates rises low while continuing to deliver quality services, maintaining vital infrastructure and completing major projects. We have worked cohesively as a team to find innovative ways to contain and reduce Council costs – through efficiencies, new technology and strategic planning.
Effectively, this Budget sees a ‘bottom line’ rate rise that is no more than 2.1 per cent for most ratepayers with the continuation of the 10 per cent early payment discount.
To help reduce the impact on pensioners, Council will continue its pensioner rebate of $160, which they receive in addition to the Queensland Government pensioner rebate.
Council has an operational Budget and a $48 million capital program.
Some of the highlights of this Budget include:
- A Budget which includes a positive operating result of $1.47 million
- $10 million for the completion of the Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre
- $4.3 million for Asphalt Overlays of Langton Road and Hall Road, Louisa Street, Red Hill Road, Reef Street and the Gunalda Township
- $3.5 million investment for the upgrading of the Goomong Road Bridge and Kandanga Creek Road Bridges
- Funds of $250,000 for the Mary Valley Rattler operational start-up costs and a further $3.8 million of capital funds towards the recommencement of the ‘Rattler’ activities
- $1.4 million for continuation of the annual road reseal program
- $1 million for the continued roll out of the Southside sewerage scheme
- Continued support for community events including a $150,000 contribution to the Gympie Music Muster, $50,000 for the Rush Festival and $24,500 to the Gympie District Show
- $150,000 for the G150 Gympie Sesquicentenary program development over two financial years
- $195,000 in financial support by way of community grants
- Review and redraft Council’s Environmental Policy
- Review and redraft Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan
- Planning and implementation for the CBD Revitalisation project
Rates and Charges
The rates notices issued in 2016/17 will see the early payment discount of 10 per cent continued.
In 2016/17 we will deliver a minimal bottom line rise of 2.1 per cent, after taking the discount into account. This equates to $1.05 a week for properties in townships and 59 cents for rural properties.
We have worked very hard to increase efficiencies and keep a cap on Council costs.
The pensioner rebate will remain at $160, continuing our practical recognition of the financial challenges faced by those in our region on fixed and limited incomes.
The former Waste Management Levy of $85 has been scrapped while an Economic Development Levy of $65 has been introduced. This levy will go towards funding the recommencement of the Mary Valley Rattler.
While there are rises of 3 per cent on the Sewerage Access Charge, Water Access Charge and Water Consumption Charge all other charges have remained the same.
If property owners choose not to take advantage of the early payment discount, the rise on the general rate is 5.1 per cent.
Capital Works
The $48 million Capital Works Budget features a wide range of projects and initiatives to enhance the liveability of our region by providing planned, connected and safe infrastructure.
This is comprised of $25.9 million for new or upgraded assets and $22.9 million on renewal of infrastructure.
The Budget is spread across:
- Roads – $16,156,215
- Infrastructure Services – $6,380,028
- Engineering Services – $262,326
- Water – $2,820,000
- Sewerage – $3,480,000
- Planning and Development – $1,781,000
- Corporate and Community Services – $17,561,477
Major Projects
The Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre (ARC) construction is well under way with several key elements completed or significantly progressed.
This Budget allocates $10 million to complete the ARC, which will see this major drawcard community asset open and operational in this financial year, bringing employment opportunities, boosting the region’s economy and providing health and recreation opportunities to people of all ages and abilities in our community.
The Mary Valley Rattler is the most intact heritage rail system in Queensland and offers a unique tourism product compared to what else is on offer in South East Queensland. It is of vital economic, social and historical importance to the Gympie region.
Council is determined to see the Rattler run again in a financially sustainable manner and we have committed $250,000 for its operational start up costs and a further $3.8 million of capital funds will be raised through the Economic Development Levy to enable the recommencement of the ‘Rattler’ activities.
Roads, Bridges and Footpaths
Gympie Regional Council is responsible for an overall road network of approximately 2180 kilometres. This is made up of major roads, town streets and rural roads.
It is essential that Council maintains the Gympie region’s roads, bridges and footpaths network at an optimum standard to deliver our plans for a vibrant, resilient and connected region. One of the key strategic themes in our Corporate Plan is infrastructure which is planned, connected and safe.
An amount of $16.1 million (including grants) has been allocated in this Budget for roads, footpaths, stormwater drains and bridges.
This is further supplemented by $5.9 million budgeted for the maintenance and upkeep of road infrastructure. Council places a high priority on quality infrastructure in the Gympie region.
Major road, bridge and footpath upgrade works include:
Street Renewals:
- $960,000 for Langton Road and Hall Road
- $820,000 for Louisa Street
- $110,000 for Banks Pocket Road
- $95,000 for the Gunalda Township
Bridge Renewals:
- $1.656 million for Goomong Road Bridge
- $1.841 million for Kandanga Creek Road (Bridge Number 10)
- $324,000 for Little Road Bridge, Glastonbury
Pathways:
- $90,000 for Everson Road, Gympie
- $91,000 for Tin Can Bay Esplanade
- $50,000 for Cogan Street, Gympie
Road Rehabilitation:
- $714,432 for East Deep Creek Road
- $300,000 for Hall Road pavement strengthening
- $40,000 for Gympie Town Centre bus shelters
Road Widenings:
- $1.585 million for Moy Pocket Road
- $465,000 for Old Maryborough Road
- $350,000 for Dawn Road
Sealing of Gravel Roads:
- $465,000 for Noosa Road
- $300,000 for Irvine Road
Infrastructure and Plant
Council provides vital plant, fleet and equipment to enable both a safe working environment for our staff and the equipment necessary for the construction and maintenance of Council’s infrastructure.
The provision of a modern, high quality cost effective fleet, maintained to industry standards is an integral part of Council’s operations.
- $3.273 million for annual fleet replacement program
Community Facilities and Recreation
This Budget enables us to continually improve our region’s parks and public spaces and to provide well maintained community facilities, gardens, playgrounds and other amenities so that both residents and visitors can make the most of our parks and public spaces for a wide range of healthy and active lifestyle options.
Social wellbeing which enables the community to be active, diverse, creative and empowered is a key Corporate Plan theme that the following highlighted projects enhance.
This Budget allocates a total of $3.2 million in capital expenses for parks, community facilities, halls and playgrounds including:
- $615,000 for the Lawrie Hanson Park and Facilities upgrade including pedestrian linkages at Rainbow Beach
- $150,000 for replacement and upgrade of playgrounds and equipment at Les Lee Playground, Tin Can Bay
- $80,000 for shade provisions at Lake Alford All Abilities playground
- $37,500 for provision of a playground at Lower Wonga Hall
- $280,000 for playground and toilets at Curra District Park
- $45,000 for renewal of public amenities at AJ Mitchell Park Gympie, Wes Mitchell Park, Tin Can Bay and Memorial Lane, Gympie
- $45,000 for community halls including Amamoor Hall, Booubyjan Hall, Goomborian Hall, Kandanga Creek Hall and Traveston Hall
Enhancing Liveability
The region’s estimated resident population is almost 50,000. Over the past five years the population of the Gympie region has increased at an average annual rate of 1.35 per cent.
Projections for population growth through to 2031 track to a level of approximately 57,632 people.
Strategic town planning and placemaking is vital to ensure that the towns and communities in our region provide for the lifestyle and business needs of future residents.
Projects reflecting this commitment include:
- $50,000 for the first stage development of a walking circuit along the Mary River
- $259,223 for Gunalda Township Redevelopment
- $520,000 for Our Towns implementation at Goomeri, Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay
- $170,000 for toilet and car park design at Victory Heights
- $1.32 million to match State Government funding for the Smithfield Street Revitalisation Project a priority place making project.
Economic Development
The Gympie region is perfectly placed for growth.
A major focus of Council’s economic development activities is working with existing industry and businesses within our region to help facilitate opportunities for growth and profitability.
To help achieve the vision of economic development that is vibrant, strong and resilient, this Budget enables projects and initiatives including:
- Developing strategic partnerships with regional education providers
- Marketing the region as an industry hub for both emerging and established industries including Equine Industry, Health care and social assistance, Transport/logistics/freight and Digital and knowledge based industries
- Developing a business incubator project
- Export opportunity development
- Trade and export opportunity development
Tourism
Council continues to remain committed to developing tourism in the Gympie region.
Since mid 2013, Destination Gympie Region (DGR) has been Council’s tourism entity for the region.
Working in collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland, Sunshine Coast Destination Limited, Fraser Coast Opportunities and Tourism Noosa, DGR has been able to increase the tourism profile of the Gympie region.
Currently there are over 500 tourism businesses within the Gympie Regional Council boundary generating approximately $140 million in direct economic benefit.
The Gympie region is making the transition from an emerging destination to a new tourism region for the drive market from Brisbane and interstate and has been a key partner in an international campaign that has seen an increase in international visitation by 12 per cent.
Greening The Future
Council believes that good environmental management makes good economic sense. The Environmental Levy is forecast to raise $865,025 to fund strategic environmental actions.
The 2016/17 focus for the Environment Planning branch will be:
- Enhancing partnerships with community groups
- Introduction of broader sustainability planning
- Determining organisational energy efficiency
Important Recurrent Activities
- $90,000 allocated to the Green Army
- $151,000 of grants to community
- $30,000 for implementation of the Ibis Management Plan
New Key Operational Projects
- $200,000 to complete the review and redrafting of the Environment Strategy
- $140,000 for an energy audit of Council buildings
Waste Management
Council is committed to reducing waste from both its own operations and the community and to the management of waste in a sustainable manner.
Initiatives in this Budget include:
- $500,000 for the Gympie Waste Transfer Station Facility
- $462,000 for Kilkivan Landfill Rehabilitation
- $100,000 for Bin Banks for 400 properties
Conclusion
The projects outlined in this budget are exciting for Council and the Gympie region.
While Budgets are fundamentally black and white and a collection of numbers, this document is in fact a roadmap to the future of the Gympie region, responsive to our residents’ needs and committed to delivering iconic projects such as ARC and the Rattler.
This Budget exemplifies Council’s vision of the Gympie region being the natural choice to live, work and play. On behalf of Council I am proud to present this year’s Budget to you. I would like to thank the Councillors and council staff for their collaboration and efforts in bringing forward this Budget.
The Councillors’ focus during Budget deliberations so soon after an election is to be commended. Thank you to the CEO, directors and senior management for working with the Councillors to deliver this Budget. All staff continue to work hard to drive efficiencies and cost savings for our ratepayers.
We are the current custodians of an incredible area of Australia and the world and both Councillors and staff strive to deliver for our residents who enjoy well maintained infrastructure, public spaces and facilities and receive timely and efficient services.
This Budget is founded on the correct combination of fiscal restraint mixed with a capital program that will progress our region into the future.
We all have big parts to play in shaping the Gympie region’s future and this Budget provides the drivers for great opportunity for the region.
Thank you.
Cr Mick Curran
Mayor, Gympie Regional Council
