June 21, 2023
Western Downs Regional Council handed down an average general rates increase of 3.8 per cent at their Budget meeting on Wednesday.
Mayor Paul McVeigh said the Budget would target “the fundamentals of Council delivery while continuing to invest in initiatives to drive the region forward”.
“I am proud to say that this Council will continue to have a strong financial position with a budgeted surplus of $2.7 million this year, with a total operating expenditure of more than $168.5 million, plus a total capital investment of $180.8 million,” he said.
“Our ongoing commitment to responsible financial management has meant Council is able to keep rates low, while ensuring we are able to deliver high-quality services for our growing region.
“It’s important to note our region has recently undergone a land revaluation by the Queensland Government, which comes into effect on June 30, 2023.
“This revaluation has seen significant increases in the value of Western Downs land, and has seen rural land valuations increase by an average of 66 per cent and some valuations as much as 104 per cent.”
Mayor McVeigh said a cornerstone of the Budget was its $180.8 million capital works program.
“Our road network was lashed by several consecutive flooding events in the past two years, which has created a massive repair effort for Council,” he said.
“On top of this record program, we will invest more than $43.6 million into local road upgrades and maintenance projects across the Western Downs.
“Council will also undertake a region-wide flood gauge improvement program to help ensure accurate and timely information for the community in disaster events, with $940,000 committed.
“In the coming months, we will celebrate the completion of several intergenerational projects which drive our liveability and create new recreational experiences for the region, including the new Bunya Mountains Mountain Bike Trails.”
The WDRC has set aside $50,000 for a sculpture trail and public art.
