Message from the Mayor

For an average residential ratepayer this is an annual increase of $28.50, about 55 cents extra per week after the 5% prompt payment discount.

Increases for sewerage services next year will be 6% which is also under the CPI inflation rate. This increase is required to ensure the maintenance, provision and replacement of the sewerage network without relying on support from general rates. For an average residential ratepayer, this will mean an annual increase of $44.65, which is about an extra 86 cents per week after the discount.

As we work to ensure the provision of secure water service delivery across the region, particularly to our smaller towns, council has increased water access charges by 9% and water consumption charges by 10% for next year. This is the same increase that was forecast in council’s long term financial plan. Because of the vast geographical network across the Highlands, water supply is one of the costliest services for council to provide, often relying on support from general rates.

Council also has an obligation to comply with local government legislation in relation to the National Competition Policy, which guides our annual price increases through a full-cost pricing model and ensures we raise sufficient revenue to limit the reliance on general rates. If this did not occur residents would see much higher increases in their general rates bills in order to subsidise the supply of water.

Depending on water usage, an average residential ratepayer will see an annual increase of $119, about an extra $2.29 per week in their total water bill after the discount

Total rates and charges, including remissions

When general rates are combined with utility charges, the majority of residential ratepayers on the minimum general rate will see an increase of around 6% in their total bill after the discount, or $4.44 per week.

Council continues to support the pensioners who live in our region and own their own homes by offering a 50% remission on all charges except for water consumption and the QLD State Government Emergency Management levy. This equates to just under a $1 million investment in the elderly of our region.

Council also recognises the value of not-for profit community and sporting groups in the region and supports their objectives by offering up to a 100% general rate rebate to eligible organisations.

Operating budget

For 2023-2024, council has budgeted an operating surplus of $5.1 million. The forward estimates of our long term financial plan also forecast a surplus position for the next 10 years.

It is important to understand that when we forecast our long-term financial position, we assume certain future economic conditions that don’t always become a reality. This is one of the main challenges in setting a budget, particularly in the volatile economic conditions that now prevail.

As reported last year in my budget overview, council has been impacted by the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission’s decision to reduce council’s financial assistance grant by 30% over a three year period. These grants, funded by the federal government and managed by the state government, are a primary source of income for council.

The repercussions of the reduced financial assistance grant funding combined with the current volatile state of the economy, has left council with a financial gap that must be recovered in order to maintain our core service levels and infrastructure, and ensure we stay sustainable in the long term.

Capital budget

This year we are also investing $81 million in new capital works projects plus $17 million in projects continuing from 2022-2023.