June 24, 2019
Toowoomba Regional Council ratepayers will pay an extra $92.88 a year on average after Council handed down its 2019-20 Budget on Monday afternoon.
Mayor Paul Antonio said Council’s $548 million financial Budget would maintain and upgrade existing services and facilities while planning for a brighter future.
“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 Council staff for their deliberations over many months to develop a manageable capital (works) program valued at $211 million, along with an operating Budget component of $337 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 latest rise is the lowest handed down since the Council was formed in 2008, and follows four successive years of 3 per cent annual rate rises.
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2019-20 Budget highlights
- A 2.5 per cent increase to the General Rate (net overall increase in rates and charges of 3 per cent for an urban residential property. The majority of urban residential ratepayers will have an increase of $92.88 a year, or $1.79 a week, after discount, which includes all rates and charges).
- Operational (ie service delivery) expenditure of $337 million
- A capital (ie infrastructure) program of $211 million
In the coming year, the major areas of capital expenditure will include:
- $60.1 million for roads, footpaths, bikeways and drainage projects
- $28.2 million for water projects
- $14.7 million for wastewater projects
- $17.8 million for waste services
- $6.8 million for parks and recreation projects
- $67.3 million for community services and facilities
- $15.7 million for business strategy and operations
Major infrastructure projects include:
- $2.9 million for widening Bowenville–Moola Road as part of the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
- $1.48 million on the Federal Government’s Blackspot Program
- $2.7 million for widening the Jondaryan-St Ruth Road through State Government Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme
- $3.9 million on the Wyreema-Cambooya Road upgrade project
- $15.6 million on the Regional Rehabilitation Program
- $14.4 million on the Regional Reseal and Resheet Program
- $4 million on the Regional Asphalt Overlay Program
- $1 million on the Tummaville Road Bridge Renewal
- $28.2 million for water infrastructure capital projects
- $14.7 million for the provision of wastewater infrastructure capital projects
- $13.45 million on the construction phase of upgrading the Kleinton Landfill to a Tier Two Waste Management Facility
- $2.46 million to upgrade and replace trunk and reticulation water mains across the region
- $1.05 million for water treatment and water bore planning and infrastructure works
- $2.18 million for region-wide sewer maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement work programs
Major civic projects include:
- New Charlton Principal Depot – $55.58 million
- Queens Park Upgrades – $2.4 million
- Escarpment Parks and Picnic Point Regional Park Upgrades – $2.17 million
- Finalise design and external roadworks for the new Highfields Library – $1,500,000
- Laneway Creation at 174 Margaret Street, Toowoomba – $1,100,000
- Construction of new Clifton Museum – $720,000
- Community Grants Program – $731,000 for community grants program
Queensland Treasury Corporation has maintained Council’s credit rating as “sound” with a “neutral outlook”.
