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Rockhampton Regional Council has adopted its first balanced budget in 5 years with a projected surplus position of $43,000 in 2024-25.

The focus of the 2024-25 Budget will continue to be Council’s program of critical infrastructure renewal with investments in the region’s water network, water and sewage treatment plants as well as investments in important community services and support.

The Budget also continues to balance the challenges of inflation and cost escalations to Council projects, products, and services with the need to limit the impact on ratepayers as much as possible.

In recognition of that, Council will continue to provide a range of discounts and concessions including the prompt payment discount, pensioner discount and concessions for charitable organisations and sporting groups.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams, acknowledged that this year’s Budget had been a difficult process as Councillors sought to meet the costs of the “must dos” while limiting the impact on local residents and businesses.

“We are continuing to see significant cost escalations across all of Council’s services, activities and projects,” Mayor Williams said.

“There have been considerable increases in costs of construction materials, such as concrete, bitumen products, steel and gravel and aggregate materials, which Council has had to absorb to deliver consistent levels of service.

“The reality is that the Rockhampton region has a significant infrastructure renewal program ahead which needs to be delivered. Infrastructure renewal across services like our water, roads and sewage systems which are critical to how our region functions and the liveability of our residents.

“We are conscious however that beside that we need to continue to support the community with the programs and services people rely on. Programs like the Community Assistance Program which saw grants awarded to over 50 local community groups or sporting organisations in 2023-24.

“I think it is also important to acknowledge that we will continue to provide a range of discounts and concessions, including the Pensioner Discount and concessions for charities and sporting groups, to help those in the community who are most exposed to cost pressures and inflation.

“Finally, where we have had scope to invest in new initiatives, we have focused on those areas which mean tangible improvements in liveability or growth.

Investments made in our public spaces, community facilities and economic development to support future growth and a large, more robust economy.

“That is important for our future and a recognition that while we are all feeling the impact of inflation and cost pressures, we can still do things that make a material improvement to people and the community. That is what we have tried to achieve in this Budget.

“I want to thank all Councillors and staff for their efforts and acknowledge the hard work ahead of us as we focus in on delivering over the coming 12 months.”

Rockhampton Council’s 2024-25 Budget breakdown: