Shock Hinchinbrook Shire Rates Increase"Costs That Has Come at Us from Left Field"

SARI RUSSO

HINCHINBROOK Council had an unexpected turn of events that resulted in the most significant rate increase for Mayor Ramon Jayo in the time that he has represented Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

The council had the choice between no longer providing services or increasing the rates to accommodate for the shortfall and to continue providing services precisely as they are. The current Hinchinbrook Shire Council are not in the business of reducing its services and is continually trying to improve its services to become more efficient.

The surprise costs incurred are predominately for essential services, so they needed to be accommodated.

So, the general rates increase will be by 5.48% due to aging infrastructure and the Warren's Hill landfill failure.

"We need to maintain and replace our infrastructure," said Mayor Ramon Jayo, "We have never been over 2% previously, but the problems that we had this year and inflationary costs has resulted in a need to increase rates."

"A big issue that came in from left field that really affected us was Warren's Hill landfill; because under our licence and terms of licence conditions with the department of environment, we have to cap the historic waste, so that it is encapsulated, so that water doesn't get to it,"

"We have been doing that, and it has all failed.

"We are in court at the moment with contractors in relation to the failure, but obviously, court proceedings take a long time.

Areas accommodated for in the 2023 – 2024 Budget; With a lot of new capital work replacing and renewing essential assets; Roads, bridges, water pipes and sewerage lines:

1. Continuation of works on the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre Cell One Capping $1,050,000

2. Replacement of Waterfall

Creek Bridge $682,839

3. Rehabilitation of the footpath along Herbert Street $678,323

4. Improvements to Forrest Beach Drainage $520,000

5. Rehabilitation of the Ingham, Forrest Beach and Macknade Pumphouses $500,000

6. Reconstruction of Hawkins Street $500,000

7. Replacement of Copley's Road Bridge $400,000

8. Drainage works at the Ingham Airport $305,000

9. Roof Top Solar installation on various Council buildings $300,000

10. Replacement of the Kerb and Channel along Cockrell Street $300,000

11. Road profile improvements to Macrossan Street $265,668

12. Rehabilitation works on the Water Tower at Forrest Beach $250,000

13. Rehabilitation of the water mains along Lannercost Street and Davidson Street $240,000

14. Rehabilitation of the pavement along Pappins Road $218,225

15. Widening works along Cooks Lane $207,874

16. Relining of the stormwater drainage along Scott Street $200,000

When discussing the Warren's Hill surprise issues and the immediate concern the Hinchinbrook Shire faced, Mayor Ramon Jayo responded, "We have to fix it! We can't wait for the court proceedings to be determined. We have got to fund that. So that cost has come at us from left field."

Mayor Jayo also raised concerns over another surprise expense the Hinchinbrook Shire Council has needed to accommodate in the 2023 –2024 Budget, "And another big cost is the need to replace our telemetry system; a telemetry system is an electronic digital system that monitors our water and sewage installations.

"That is an essential part of our community. They are probably around 20-25 years old and function well, but we have now been told that that system is obsolete. We run the risk if a failure occurs, we may not be able to fix that failure in a quick time, as we won't be able to replace parts.

Adamant that the Hinchinbrook Shire must maintain their services to the community, the Hinchinbrook Council, under Mayor Jayo, the 2023 - 2024 Budget accommodated for another million and a half.

"There is essentially nearly four Million worth of funding that we weren't planning for, that we weren't expecting. That we have to pick up and that is the difference between the 2% and your 5% rate increase," said Mayor Jayo,

"It is a 40 million Dollar Budget. That is what it costs to run the council and that includes 10 million Dollars' worth of new capital works."

"It has been a very difficult decision as the community is struggling due to the high cost of living but unfortunately, we are not immune to that and we need to maintain and replace our infrastructure."

Weather

Tomorrow - Saturday

Scattered showers 17 - 25 Cardwell Scattered showers 19 - 24 Tully Showers 18 - 25

Beef Teriyaki Balls

Serves: 8 (makes 24 meatballs)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Meatballs:

500g lean beef mince

1 onion, very finely chopped

1 carrot, very finely chopped

1 cup breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons sake

2 tablespoon potato flour or corn flour

Cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons peanut oil

Teriyaki sauce: ⅓ cup soy sauce

⅓ cup sake

⅓ cup sugar

⅓ cup mirin

⅓ cup water

OUR TEAM

Managing Editor/ Director Sari Russo management@ wettropictimes.com.au

Advertising

Debra Mc Ateer ads @wettropictimes.com.au

Production Clare Watson designs@ wettropictimes.com.au

Reception/ Administration

Katriina Hyytinen info@ wettropictimes.com.au

1 serve per portion

Garden salad:

½ head lettuce, shredded

1 medium cucumber, sliced

½ punnet cherry tomatoes, halved

½ small Spanish onion, sliced thinly

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Extra virgin olive oil

Beef Teriyaki Balls

Method

COMBINE all meatball ingredients except the peanut oil in large bowl and mix well.

ROLL mixture into evenly sized balls (roughly golf ball sized).

HEAT oil in frypan over medium heat and add meatballs. Fry until golden brown, remove and set aside. Repeat until all meatballs are cooked.

COMBINE teriyaki sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and cook until sauce thickens slightly (5-10 minutes).

PLACE meatballs in a bowl and coat with teriyaki sauce.

ADD salad vegetables to a large bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle over balsamic vinegar and olive oil just before serving.

SERVE salad together with the meatballs.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Office: 22 Lannercost Street Ingham, QLD 4850

Phone: (07) 4776 0485

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