Council working to keep rate rise minimal amid soaring costs

Livingstone Shire Council is due to hand down its budget later this month with a focus on keeping a rate rise as low as possible in a challenging economic environment.

Acting Mayor Adam Belot said like family households and businesses, Council’s upcoming budget will be impacted by the sharp rise in cost of living.

“It’s no secret that cost of living pressures are being felt by most Queensland Councils and Livingstone is experiencing record cost increases which will require rate increases,” Cr Belot said.

“Steel prices are at a 10-year high, bitumen has risen by 30%, fertiliser prices are at record highs and fuel has jumped $1 per litre.

“When you consider Council currently uses about 13, 000 litres of fuel for its fleet each week, manages a 1,400-kilometre road network, hundreds of kilometres in underground pipe and maintains many parks, gardens and open spaces, these price hikes have an enormous impact.

“We’ve seen interest rates rise recently as well as the cost of materials, labour and the looming increase in power too.

“The national consumer price index (CPI) released in March jumped to 5.1% and Brisbane’s CPI is currently sitting at 6%. CPI is expected to rise again in the next quarter.

“The entire Council team is working as hard and smart as possible to keep a rate increase at or below CPI, remaining mindful of the steep increase in operating costs.

“This is compounded with land valuations increasing this year by as high as 60% which also has an impact on rates.

“I want to assure the community we are committed to delivering a responsible budget while minimising the impact on ratepayers, who are always at the centre of these decisions.”

Council’s budget is due to be handed down on July 26.