Council delivers Annual Budget for 2021 – 2022 focussed on region’s future growth with no rates increase
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The 2021-22 Livingstone Shire Council budget was officially adopted today, with its primary focus on delivering a responsible budget that ensures there is adequate revenue to fund expenditure that meets the needs of the community.
Council’s budget has been carefully considered and is the combination of nine months’ work by all councillors and key staff, with the support of the wider organisation. It is informed, in part, by various Council decisions over the course of the year as well as previously adopted strategies.
Planning for the 2021-22 Livingstone Shire Council budget commenced in 2020 with pre-budget submissions received in October 2020, with a series of Councillor budget workshops commencing in January 2021.
Councillors considered the feedback provided by the community over the past several months, which has helped to shape Council’s decisions in formulating this year’s budget.
Mayor Andy Ireland said Council is also conscious of cost of living pressures, and this was one of the main reasons Council decided not to increase the general rate or levies for the 2021/2022 financial year.
“Although this constitutes a zero percent rates increase which is not common in local government circles, through a series of service level reviews and cost efficiencies, Council is still delivering a small surplus and continuing to reduce the significant level of debt this Council inherited when it came to office last year,” Mayor Ireland said.
“When this is combined with a $50.3 million capital works program that will deliver important major community and economic infrastructure and a continuation of Council’s investment in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water, sewerage and footpaths, it is a clear demonstration of Council’s commitment to the Shire and what we have articulated in the Livingstone Community Plan: Towards 2050.
“As part of this process, Council has been successful in obtaining State and Federal funding of $28.7 million to deliver key infrastructure projects that are important in supporting the long-term stability and prosperity of our region, and reflective of the community’s future needs.
“The operating budget is under continual pressure, not unlike household budgets, and has been developed acknowledging the importance of a responsible approach to rating movements and the importance of equity.
“Council is proposing to hold, or in some instances reduce, the general rates and separate charges for all ratepayers in the 2021-22 budget.
“These careful measures have resulted in a total budget for 2021-22 at $145.6 million of which $50.3 million is proposed to be invested in delivering infrastructure needed to facilitate future growth and maintain existing Council and community assets.
“This year’s budget has also continued to provide rates relief to pensioners on fixed incomes, through the maximum pensioner rates rebate of $300.
“Council remains committed to providing cost effective, innovative and environmentally responsible waste management services to the community at all times.
“Green waste disposal will now incur a charge of $5 per interaction or one waste coupon. This fee will help cover the cost of handling and mulching approximately 6,000 tonnes of green waste we receive each year.
“The upside to this change is that mulch can now be obtained from the landfill free of charge.
“I strongly encourage residents to sort their loads and get to know the options at waste facilities, sorting your load can save dollars and many items are able to be dropped off free of charge for recycling/repurposing.
“Waste avoidance and management is a complex environmental, economic, social, cultural and regulatory challenge that affects us all. We can all help shape the future of our Shire and our planet, by adopting responsible practices when dealing with waste.”
“An adjustment in the pricing structure for the next five years will be seen in the Shire’s water business, with a proposal to phase in a user pays charging regime.
“Water use by residential properties in the region is relatively high and there is an opportunity to further highlight the need for home-owners to better manage their consumption.
“Excess water consumption comes at a much higher price, which places incentive on the household to adjust their water use behaviours.
“This will be implemented by reducing the consumption tiers over time and setting the ultimate alignment of the non-residential consumption charge with the residential two-tier consumption charge, making it more equitable for residents on the Capricorn Coast who have been affected by the current access charge model.
“A discount will continue to apply on all access charges; however it does not apply on consumption charges.
“Council’s long-term financial forecast has been developed to assist the organisation in adopting a budget within a prudent, longer term financial framework. The key objective of the forecast is to achieve and maintain financial sustainability, whilst still achieving the community’s goals in line with the Livingstone Community Plan: Towards 2050 and expressed in the Corporate Plan 2030.
“With a ten year view in mind, Council is on track to deliver surpluses throughout the years while still reducing debt and delivering key infrastructure projects. We will continue to review the services we deliver to ensure they are relevant and necessary to our community, and are within our capacity to deliver.
“While this budget and the decisions that Council make may not meet the expectations of all residents, they were made after comprehensive deliberations between Councillors and senior Council staff in order to provide what we believe is the best possible outcome for our community and our future.”
Some significant highlights of the budget are:
• Total budget of $145.6 million including a $50.3million capital program
• A net surplus of $297,000
• Average residential ratepayer will have a 0% change in rates
• Holding or reducing residential rates, the road network separate charge, the environment levy, and the disaster response levy
• Phasing in over the next five years towards a user pays charging structure for water schemes based on quality of water supplied (potable versus non-potable) and water pressure (on-demand versus constant flow)
• Transition over the next five years to target a two-tier consumption charge to bring more in line with industry peers and a greater incentive to conserve water
• Maintaining the maximum $300 rebate for pensioners and eligible concession card holders;
• Continuing commitment to ongoing community sponsorships and grant program of $400,000;
• No new loan borrowings with a $5.3 million reduction in loans continuing the focus on debt reduction;
Along with our day-to-day operations, Livingstone Shire Council will be delivering a range of major projects and special initiatives. Below are some of the capital initiatives scheduled for the 2021-22 financial year:
Roads, Drainage and Bridge - $28.7 Million
Stanage Bay Road upgrade - $14.7 million
Taranganba Road – Upgrade Carige Boulevard intersection - $1.8 million
Stage 2 Matthew Flinders Drive reconstruction - $1.69 million
Unsealed road pavement renewal program - $1.4million
Upgrade Doonside Road bridge and Werribee Creek bridges - $1.155 million
Fig Tree Bank Protection Works - $805,000
Water network Infrastructure $5.5 Million
Construction of new 4ML reservoir West Emu Park - $2.1million
Water asset renewal programs - $800,000
New Inverness Booster Pump Station - $715,000
Kelly’s Dam remedial works – $521,000
Sewage $7 Million
Completion of solar power system at the Yeppoon Sewerage Treatment Plant $2.55 million
Completion of the Yeppoon water recycling system augmentation - $2.294 million
Completion of the Emu Park sewerage treatment plant upgrade - $717,000
Land and Site Improvements $4 Million
Yeppoon Lagoon pebblecrete rectification - $1 million
Replacement of Yeppoon Town Centre Carpark façade - $1 million
Completion of Stage 2 of Yeppoon Landfill entry works - $923,000
Completion of Stage 2 of the Capricorn Coast Memorial Gardens - $437,000* (Subject to external funding)
CBD CCTV surveillance system - $400,000
Building and Facilities $3 Million
- Yeppoon Lagoon Shade Structures - $245,000
- Amenities Renewal at Beryl Hick and Merv Anderson Parks - $200,000
- The Hub electrical switchboard upgrade - $130,000
- Yeppoon Lagoon disability access ramp - $86,000
- Switchboard renewal program - $70,000
Plant and Equipment $3 Million
- Fleet replacement program - $2 million
- Corporate business system upgrades – $446,000
- IICT hardware replacement programs – $422,000
- CCTV virtualisation upgrade - $53,000
- Replacement of depot server room condenser core - $35,000
For more information about this year's annual budget, click here.