TOWNSVILLE
LIVING IN THE NORTH
August 2020 -
issue 3
2020/21 BUDGET
MAYOR’S MESSAGE The past 18 months has been a challenging time for Townsville. The monsoon of February 2019 and the COVID-19 global pandemic have impacted the community in different ways. Townsville City Council’s Budget for 2020/21 is about building a resilient future for our city and is one for our whole community. I’m thankful that on 28 March this year the Townsville community voted overwhelmingly for the policies and the proven track record that my Council put forward. We will repay that faith with a commitment to serve our community in the best way we can over the next four years. My Council’s responsible financial management has ensured this $648.8 million Budget is the fourth balanced Budget in as many years, accompanied by a general rates freeze for at least the next six months. We will invest more than $426.8 million into delivering vital services with a major focus on infrastructure maintenance and waste and wastewater services and a further $15 million to the already-committed $30 million COVID-19 response package, launched immediately after the outbreak hit. We will build and renew infrastructure, with much of our $221.9 million capital spend focusing on renewing utilities and services such as water services, wastewater systems, other utilities and drainage from around the CBD to the suburbs. I hope that you and your family keep well during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to continuing to provide the Townsville community with the services, facilities and infrastructure that it expects as we build a resilient future in 2020/21 and beyond.
Jenny Hill