HALF-YEARLY UPDATE | ISSUE 12 | AUGUST 2014
Message from the Mayor Cr Ray Brown
Welcome to the special 2014/15 Budget Edition of Council’s Half-Yearly Update Newsletter.
Council has delivered its third Budget of the 2012–16 term and continues its good work to balance its commitment to deliver quality services to all communities with financial accountability and sustainability, whilst dealing with the opportunities and challenges directly and indirectly associated with Where does theWhere moneydoes comethe from? money come from? resource sector development. Rates and utility charges Rates are and less utility thancharges are less than
This Budget is about sustainability, recovery 34% of the income Council 34% ofrelies the income on Council relies on and growth. It enables Council to continue its Rates and Utility Charges Rates and 33.83% Utility Charges 33.83% recovery from the most recent floodingCapital events Grants and Subsides Capital Grants 24.93% and Subsides 24.93% Sales of Sales of Major 12.92% Services 12.92% and deliver essential projects and services toMajor Services Operating Grants, Subsidies Operating Grants, Subsidies our communities, ensuring the prosperity of and Contributions and Contributions 12.71% 12.71% our region into the future. Fees and Charges Fees and Charges 8.03% 8.03% Contributions Contributions 3.19% I believe Council has delivered a balanced Rentaland and Levies Rental and1.61% Levies responsible budget that predicts an overall Developer Contributions Developer1.44% Contributions Interest Revenue Interest Revenue 1.15% operating surplus of $7 million – continuing Other Income Other Income 0.21%
the trend established in 2013/14.
As part of this process, Council has focused on better assessing future growth forecasts by undertaking population modelling. Council is confident that it’s now in a sustainable position to effectively deliver infrastructure for essential services like water, sewerage and waste, to benefit current and future generations. Further evidence of Council’s commitment to responsible financial management is reflected in the Queensland Treasury Corporation’s most recent Credit Review where Council has moved from a ‘Weak with a Negative’ outlook to a ‘Moderate with a Neutral’ outlook. In essence, the moderate rating reflects Council’s forecast operating surpluses, Phone 1300 COUNCIL
3.19% 1.61% 1.44% 1.15% 0.21%
adequate debt servicing capacity, and improved capacity to manage risks associated with resource development in the region. Council has focused hard on creating a
Where does theWhere moneydoes go? the money go?
By Councillor Portfolio By- Councillor PercentagePortfolio of Overall - Percentage Budget of Overall B Works and Engineering Works (footpaths, and Engineering roads, (footpaths, roads, bridges, stormwater, parks bridges, andstormwater, gardens, parks and gardens, street lighting, technical street services, lighting, technical services, aerodromes, quarry) aerodromes, quarry) 60.48% Utilities (water, wastewater, Utilitieshousehold (water, wastewater, gas) 15.56% household gas) Environmental HealthEnvironmental (waste, pests, Health (waste, pests, stock routes, local lawstock enforcement, routes, local law enforcement, natural resource management) natural resource management) 8.16% Community Facilities, Community Sport and Recreation Facilities, Sport and Recreation (public toilets, showgrounds, (public toilets, caravan showgrounds, parks, caravan parks, swimming/fitness centres, swimming/fitness sport and centres, sport and recreation grounds, halls, recreation housing, grounds, halls, housing, cemeteries) cemeteries) 5.58% Community and Cultural Community Development and Cultural and Development and Health Services (libraries, Health health Services services, (libraries, health services, cultural, events, grants) cultural, events, grants) 5.08% Planning Planning 2.05% Economic Development Economic and Tourism Development and Tourism (including Saleyards) (including Saleyards) 1.58% Corporate Support Corporate Support 0.93% Executive Services, Emergency Executive Services, Management Emergency Management and Major Projects and Major Projects 0.58%
communities. Importantly, this budget demonstrates Council’s commitment to the community to be a financially sustainable organisation, now and into the future.
budget that it can deliver, one that balances the demands of regional development while maintaining our infrastructure assets and delivering essential services to local Email info@wdrc.qld.gov.au
Cr Ray Brown, Mayor Western Downs Regional Council
Internet www.wdrc.qld.gov.au
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