Rockhampton Regional Council has today delivered its 2023/24 budget.
The Budget responds to growing cost pressures faced by Council while investing in key capital projects and economic development initiatives across the region.
The Budget includes a $150 million capital works program – focusing on essential projects like water and sewage treatment plant upgrades, road upgrades and maintenance and community facilities and assets – as well as over $7 million in economic development, tourism and events to support future job growth and investment in the economy.
Council will also continue to deliver a range of important concessions, discounts and rate rebates for pensioners and community and sporting groups in recognition of the cost-of-living pressures being faced by many.
Mayor Tony Williams said the Budget strikes a balance between delivering essential projects and services with the very real impact of cost-of-living pressures in the community.
“We expect to see substantial cost pressures impacting Council over the coming 12 months,” Mayor Williams said.
“Electricity, insurance, construction and fuel costs are all seeing significant rises and Council is unfortunately disproportionately exposed to these cost rises.
“We are expecting Council’s electricity and insurance costs to increase in 2023/24 by over $2 million alone.
“This is on top of significant rises in construction costs, fuel and many other products Council relies on to deliver its services across the community.
“We have had to balance those costs by containing our own internal budgets wherever possible, while continuing to invest where we can in essential projects and economic development.”
Mayor Williams said that where Council had scope to invest in new projects, it would focus on those projects and services that deliver important community benefit and which set the region up for the future.
“We’re focusing on the projects we know residents and business rely on and which are essential for our region to operate and grow in the future.
“Investments in road renewal, upgrades, and rehabilitation as well as water and sewage treatment plant upgrades because we know they are the essential services that make our region work.
“We are also continuing to invest in our parks, gardens and community facilities because it’s important that local residents have the places and spaces they need and love to meet family and friends across the region.
“We are also investing in economic development, tourism and events because we know they are integral to securing new jobs, industry and growing our economy.
“This is a Budget that finely balances those competing pressures with targeted and high-value investments in the areas that will mean the most for our community.
“We have done all of this while keeping the rate rise below CPI (Consumer Price Index).
“This has not been an easy task which is why we have sought to limit our own budgets and investments to those which are a priority and necessary and contained as best we can rate rises in the community.”
Budget overview:
- Operating deficit of $1.47 million, reflecting Council’s determination to balance financial obligations with essential services.
- Residential rate increases below the Consumer Price Index, with the typical Rockhampton ratepayer experiencing a rise of 6.74% which equates to around $5 a week.
- Over $1.95 million in generous rating concessions to pensioners, community groups, and sporting clubs, alleviating the burden on those most affected by cost pressures.
- Maintaining the 10% discount applicable to Rates and Charges, demonstrating our commitment to supporting ratepayers.
- A robust capital program with a total expenditure of $150.6 million, $62.3 million of which is funded by capital grants and income.
- Strategic investments in infrastructure projects, including upgrades to sewage treatment plants, water treatment plant enhancements, and the implementation of a solar energy installation for future energy savings and cost reductions.
Capital Works Program highlights:
- $21.94 million in road renewal, upgrades, and rehabilitation
- Additional $1 million in traffic facilities improvements
- $15 million capital program at Fitzroy River Water
- Over $29 million in this year’s Budget to continue water and sewage treatment plant projects
- $25 million for the Mount Morgan Pipeline project in this year’s Budget, subject to final consideration of tenders
- Over $5 million to complete Mount Morgan Pool replacement
- $4 million to complete solar installation at Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, delivering future energy savings and cost reductions
- $3.7 million for facilities new works and renewals and $2 million for Parks new works and renewals
- $1.1 million in cemetery extensions and improvements
Other Budget measures include:
- $7 million investment in securing new jobs, industry and growing our economy with:
- Over $2 million to support economic development initiatives and activities in 2023/24
- $65,000 to continue to engage and advocate for new defence jobs and industries following the release of the Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review
- Over $4.9 million to support tourism and events, bringing people and economic activity to the region
- $3.7 million to continue to provide Library services
- $298,000 in 2023/24 for a minimum of two rounds of the Community Assistance Program
