Sunshine Council budget - an overview

Council hands down budget … up go rates

In handing down the $848 million budget for 2019/20 last week, Mayor Mark Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Council had maintained its focus on providing core services and investing in local infrastructure, while continuing to invest in region-shaping projects that would provide opportunities, employment and better access to services for residents into the future.

“Once again, our council has delivered a budget which invests in and builds on what is most important –– our communities, our environment and natural assets and our economy.

“Our communities are our future and this budget focuses on their needs – today, next year and well into the future,” Mr Jamieson said.

But someone has to pay for those investments and that’s the Sunshine Coast ratepayers.

Council rates and levies will go up by an average of 3% next financial year, adding to the financial strain felt by many local residents.

The minimum rate rises by $36.20, residential waste by $8.60, environment levy up $2 to $44, heritage levy up 50 cents to $13 and the transport levy up $1 to $44.

Commercial ratepayers are set to be stung by extra waste charges, with the Queensland Waste Levy also being added to the cost of rubbish collection from commercial premises.

Some of the highlights of the $848 million budget include:

• $225 million for roads and transport infrastructure and services; cycleways and pathways; stormwater assets; and public lighting

• $85 million for managing, maintaining and upgrading our parks and gardens, sporting venues, recreation parks, trails and facilities

• $119 million for the operations and improvements to our community including venues, disaster management services, libraries, cemeteries and public health services

• $174 million for our environment programs and services

• $162 million for economic initiatives.

Council will also continue with a range of initiatives to support community vitality and economic activity in local areas, including investing $763,000 in 2019/20 in the Nambour Heritage Tramway project; $2 million in the Landsborough Placemaking Master Plan project and $1 million to improve the Beerwah Aquatic Centre.

Pensioners will also continue to receive the pensioner rebate, which equates to $3.7 million this year.

“The council budget – the eighth consecutive budget that has delivered an operating surplus ($29.6 million in 2018/19) – puts us in an excellent financial position, enabling council to deliver a wide breadth of services to the community as well as invest in region-shaping projects, which will provide opportunities for the community today and well into the future,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“After all, that is what a healthy, smart, creative region does.”