June 22, 2018
Toowoomba Regional Council residents will face an average 3 per cent rate rise after the Council handed down its 2018-19 Budget on Friday.
This is the Council’s fourth consecutive 3 per cent rate rise, following rises of between 4.38 per cent and 8.45 per cent every year between 2010 and 2015.
Mayor Paul Antonio said the Council’s $491 million financial plan would maintain and upgrade existing services and facilities.
“Council remains committed to implementing a responsible and calculated financial approach in its Budget planning and delivery,” Mayor Antonio said.
“I thank my colleagues and staff for their deliberations over many months to develop a manageable capital program valued at $175.13 million, along with an operating Budget component of $316 million.
“We have a responsibility to plan for maintenance and upgrades to our existing infrastructure to guarantee the long-term viability of essential services to residents.
“We are mindful that every new asset comes with its own ongoing maintenance costs.”
The Council is projecting an operating surplus of $735,000 for the year and currently has more than $92 million in cash reserves.
Total debt stands at $166 million, which was incurred for major capital projects and is planned to be repaid within 20 years.
Queensland Treasury Corporation has maintained the council’s credit rating as sound with a neutral outlook.
Key spending areas in the coming financial year are:
Water and Waste
- $2.8 million to connect Hodgson Vale to the Toowoomba water supply
- $3.9 million on the design and construction of a new 8.2ML reservoir at Charlton
- $3.9 million for sewerage infrastructure at Wirraglen in Highfields
- Construction will begin on the Kleinton waste transfer station
In total, the TRC has allocated $17.8 million for water infrastructure capital projects and $10.6 million for the provision of wastewater infrastructure capital projects across the region; $11.6 million for waste capital projects; $800,000 for the upgrade and replacement of water mains across the region; $2 million towards the replacement of the Cressbrook Dam pump station switchboards; and $1.54 million for a new sewage pump station at Lorrimer Street, Oakey.
Infrastructure
- Completing key infrastructure before the opening of the Toowoomba Range Second Crossing, including a $9.2 million upgrade of Griffiths Street
- Partnering with the Federal Government to undertake a $1.04 million blackspot road safety improvements program
- A $1.7 million continuation of the rehabilitation of Pipeline Road in Pittsworth
- More than $22 million in regional road renewal programs, which is an increase of approximately $8 million from the previous year’s Budget
- Partnering with the Federal Government to undertake a $2.1 million Bridge Renewal Program
- Development of a Toowoomba Regional Sustainable Strategy
- Enhancement of traffic control systems and parking facilities
Environment and Community Services
- $19.4 million for the new Nass Road Principal Works Depot
- $3.64 million to complete the Highfields Sport and Recreation Park, part of a $27 million investment by Council
- $731,000 for Community Grants Program – Round 1 opens in July
- $1.475 million for Cathro Park-Railway Parklands linkage project – construction is jointly funded by the State Government
- $2.4 million for Queens Park Stage 5 completion, jointly funded by the State Government
- $4 million for a Stage 2 major refit at the Empire Theatre
- $1.7 million for major upgrades at Milne Bay Aquatic Centre
- $550,000 for a partial redevelopment of the Clifton Museum site
- $400,000 for maintenance of Hodgson Vale and Jondaryan community halls
- $320,000 to replace the floor at Millmerran Community Hall
