07 4661 9800
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or ONLINE at
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www. freetimes .com.au
1126625-HM13-14
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*UDIWRQ 6WUHHW :DUZLFN Week commencing Thursday, 2 July | 2015 | Edition 786
Death rates down
Keys for young drivers
Magic cup crowd
Local sports wrap
PAGE 2
PAGE 5
PAGE 7
PAGES 18-19
Rates through roof? By SONJA KOREMANS
39 Locke Street, Warwick 07 4661 1799 Rose City Shopping World 07 4661 4616 King Street, Yangan 07 4664 8206
1178093-LB13-15
Warwick Specialising in Commercial, Industrial and Domestic Sheds. Made from Bluescope Australian Steel Full service - Slab, Erection & Councils
QBCC1197750 NSW237076c
Phone Neal Simpson and Lou Ots on
07 4661 9835
1125178-FA12-14
BALLANDEAN winemaker Tony Hassall, whose daughter was one of two killed in a car accident at one of the region’s crash black spots, says the intersection has become even more dangerous. For the full story, turn to page 3.
CA$H FOR $CRAP
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AQUA RURAL SUPPLIES
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$130
CAR BODIES REMOVED
Also available a large range of other Supercharge Batteries
Also Buying Old Farm Machinery
Warwick Scrap Metal & Recycling 43 PROGRESS STREET - WARWICK
BUSINESS 4661 7922 MOBILE 0412 116 897
Bellingham & Co 1 Freestone Road, Warwick, Cnr Cunningham Highway
Phone 4667 0263 www.bellingham.com.au
5090508 EP41699
OLSENS
2kg Buy Mince $ 9.00
1183680-LN19-15
Alan
Locally owned and operated
1110144-HM49-13
4661 3900
1189938-HM27-15
2kg Buy Sausages $ 9.50kg
RATEPAYERS are expected to shoulder the burden of council’s multi-million dollar debt when it hands down its budget this week. Council is holding a closed meeting at 4pm today (Thursday, 2 July) to table the 2015/16 budget, which will include a rate hike but little evidence council is making cutbacks to expenses. A number of hints have already been passed as to what the budget could contain, including a large rate increase, the possible addition of levies to cover disasters, tourism and bridges and a cut in the plant and equipment budget. But insiders said council was unwilling to reduce expenditure on big-ticket items such as employment where there was room for deployment and staff reductions without impacting on ratepayer services. “The budget will show a few hours here or there reduced on part-time council jobs, but that is not the cut backs needed when you have nine engineers and at least four community development officers on your books,” a council insider said. “No one wants job cuts on essential services like roads, libraries, swimming pools, road gangs, parks and the front counter staff, but major cuts can be made in upper level administration.” The financial plan’s architects - Mayor Peter Blundell and CEO David Keenan - this week declined to give any insight into what the budget contained ahead of today’s meeting. But previously, Cr Blundell said the SDRC was crunching the numbers on all service and program costings for possible savings and ratepayers should be prepared for an above CPI rate increase. Last year, council increased rates by 5 per cent. The SDRC’s annual budget is a political hot potato, with councillors anxious about escalating debt levels, currently at $31 million. This week, councillors told Southern Free Times they would not give the budget the green light unless there was evidence of major purse tightening. Continued on page 2
48 Fitzroy St Warwick
Marinated Chicken Legs $ 4.50kg
GRANITE BELT DENTAL Medibank Members Choice and HCF preferred providers Get your regular check up and clean for low or no out of pocket expenses, plus a range of other benefits. 9 BAKER STREET STANTHORPE 96 PERCY STREET WARWICK
4681 1238 4661 4188 1125183-CA12-14