Budget focuses on service delivery and planning for growth

Fraser Coast Regional Council’s 2023/24 budget focuses on efficiently delivering essential services while planning for growth, Mayor George Seymour said today.

Cr Seymour said that with inflation above seven per cent in Queensland and government grants to Council being reduced by $5 million, this year’s budget had been very challenging.

“As every household or business knows, everything is costing more. This year Council’s electricity costs increased by almost $3.5 million while the cost of building a kilometre of road has almost doubled,” he said.

“We also have less money coming in with both the Financial Assistance Grant and the waste levy rebate we receive from governments being reduced.

“Despite these challenges, Council remains focused on delivering essential services like water, waste and roads as efficiently as possible, while also planning for the future to meet the unique needs of our growing community.

“For the past five years, Council has kept general rate rises below inflation, and this year the rate rise will again be below inflation.

“Council has worked hard to deliver a financially sustainable budget that keeps the general rates increase to 4.9 per cent, which is 2.5 per cent below the Queensland inflation rate (7.4 per cent).

“The $75 infrastructure levy has been removed and added to the general rate, and we have made changes to ensure multi-residential properties now pay their fair share.

“For residential homeowners on the minimum general rate, the average increase to their total bill – including water and wastewater charges - will be about $4.41 per week.”

Cr Seymour said Council’s total budget would be $430 million in 2023/24, which included $179 million in capital works to stimulate the local economy and provide high-quality public infrastructure.

“We’re delivering new and improved roads, upgrading the water and sewerage networks and treatment plants, and investing in recreational facilities like parks, pools and sporting fields to maintain and enhance our region’s lifestyle,” he said.

Key highlights of the Council’s 2023/24 capital works budget include:

• $39.1 million for roads, bridges and drainage;
• $56.9 million for water, waste and sewerage;
• $40.5 million for major projects, including caravan park upgrades, the Hervey Bay City Centre revitalisation and a new basketball facility;
• $8.1 million for parks, pools and playgrounds;
• $3.3 million for arts, cultural and community venues; and
• $1.3 million for footpaths and bikeways.

Cr Seymour said Council was forecasting a $7.4 million deficit in 2023/24.

“Council has sought to limit rate rises by examining how we can be more efficient in our operations through a range and level of services review,” he said.

“We’re spreading the cost of new infrastructure, such as new and upgraded water and sewage treatment plants, over several years through strategically timed borrowings while deferring projects where we can.

“Council will continue to support our local community groups and those in need through our grants programs, and pensioner and other concessions, valued at about $4 million.”

Individual project highlights in the 2023/24 Council capital budget include:

• $27 million towards the Hervey Bay City Centre revitalisation, which includes undergrounding powerlines and starting construction of the new Library and Administration Centre incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre;
• $20 million to complete the new Material Resource Recovery Facility (recycling centre);
• $11.5 million to complete the Boundary Road extension;
• $10.2 million to redevelop the Scarness, Burrum Heads and Pialba Caravan Parks;
• $9 million to upgrade the Maryborough landfill;
• $6 million for the Teddington Water Treatment Plant sludge dewatering project;
• $5 million in recovery and repair works following the 2022 floods;
• $4.6 million to upgrade the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre;
• $3 million for the new Howard Sewage Treatment Plant; and
• $2.8 million for the new basketball facility at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct.
   

“While there are multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects, there are also smaller works that make a big difference. There are replacement bridges at Gundiah and North Aramara, and new equipment for the Tiaro Water Treatment Plant, to name just a few examples,” Cr Seymour said.

More information about the Fraser Coast Regional Council budget is available on Council’s website at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/budget