July 27, 2023
Gympie Regional Council ratepayers will face an average 5.5 per cent increase in rates over the coming year after the Council handed down its 2023-24 Budget on Tuesday (July 25).
The rate rise is the highest in the Wide Bay-Burnett, outstripping similar increases in the North Burnett (5.1 per cent), Bundaberg (0 per cent), Fraser Coast (4.9 per cent) and the South Burnett (3.65 per cent).
However, the Council estimates the rise will cost three-quarters of ratepayers no more than $1.95 per week, or roughly $100 a year.
In return, the Council will deliver a record $234.35 million in services and public works as the region struggles to recover from three significant floods over the past year.
Slightly more than one-fifth of this will come from the State Government, which is contributing $50.9 million for flood recovery works.
Gympie Regional Council will spend the money on delivering a wide range of projects and hopes to finish the year with a $750,000 surplus.
Manumbar residents will be pleased to hear that one of these projects is the construction of a $100,000 amenities facility at Manumbar Hall.
And Goomeri residents can expect a $430,000 upgrade to the town’s water treatment plant to begin tackling some of the area’s long-standing water issues.
Other key points of the $234.35 million budget include:
- $119.96 million capital works program
- $17.9 million roads budget
- $50,940,327 million flood recovery works (roads, bridges, council facilities and parks)
- Retention of the $180 pensioner rate rebate
- $1 million on the Planning Scheme
- $5.8 million for parks and sporting facilities
- $14.41 million for waste management and recycling
The Council also reported that it has now reduced its debt to $20.31 million, which is supported by cash reserves of $74.66 million.
- Gympie’s 2023-24 Budget documents can be obtained by clicking here (4784Kb PDF)
