Budget feedback rolls in

structure” and the feedback invited is open until June 22.

Southern Downs Regional Council’s 2023/24 Draft Budget proposed “a targeted ten-year strategy to address critical ageing infra-

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said the process to prepare the draft budget had “been meticulous” and Council had taken “a responsible approach to tackle important infrastructure issues and minimise the financial impacts of an inevitable rate rise amid a cost of living crisis”.

The Mayor described the budget as a “bold step forward” against a background where shires with small rate payer bases are hit hardest by global economic pressures beyond council control. “We need to make decisions now that will ensure delivery of essential services to future generations,” Mayor Pennisi said.

“Council has a responsibility to deliver services to the community and to do so in the most equitable way,” he continued.

“The cold, hard fact is we can no longer ignore the region’s ageing infrastructure. Previous budgets have focused on delivering a surplus, but that came at a cost to infrastructure maintenance.”

Continued on page 20...