{"id":259642,"date":"2020-06-15T16:41:37","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T06:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=259642"},"modified":"2020-07-10T12:20:01","modified_gmt":"2020-07-10T02:20:01","slug":"trc-rates-charges-rise-2-95pc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/06\/15\/trc-rates-charges-rise-2-95pc\/","title":{"rendered":"TRC Rates, Charges Rise 2.95pc"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Toowoomba Regional Council has approved a $567 million Budget that includes a $50 million Pandemic Response program designed to help revive the Toowoomba region’s economy
(Photo: Wikipedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 15, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toowoomba Regional Council ratepayers will face an average 2.95 per cent increase in rates and charges after the Council handed down its 2020-21 Budget on Monday morning.<\/p>\n

This will include a 2.5 per cent increase in general rates; the natural resources, park and bushland and environmental levies; wastewater charges and waste collection costs, along with a 4.1 per cent increase in water access and water usage charges.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mayor Paul Antonio said the $567 million budget would maintain and upgrade existing services and facilities, while planning a brighter future for current and successive generations.<\/p>\n

“The Budget reflects the priorities outlined in the Operational Plan and Council\u2019s Corporate Plan,” Mayor Antonio said.<\/p>\n

“Council remains committed to implementing a responsible and calculated financial approach in its Budget planning and delivery.”<\/p>\n

The Mayor said the Budget was designed to complement State and Federal government pandemic relief measures.<\/p>\n

“The coronavirus pandemic forced Council to reshape our Budget plans to focus sharply on how we can directly support communities across our region,” Mayor Antonio said. <\/strong><\/p>\n

“Fortunately, Council\u2019s solid financial footing has allowed us to develop a $215 million capital program, along with an operating Budget component of $352 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis includes a $165 million regular 12-month calendar of capital works.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, Council has devised a dedicated $50 million Pandemic Response Investment program comprising 64 projects that are being accelerated to stimulate economic activity across the Toowoomba Region.”<\/p>\n

The Mayor said stimulating local employment was one of the most constructive and immediate ways the Council could help revive Toowoomba’s regional economy.<\/p>\n