Council Adopts Responsible and Measured Budget for 2024-25

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Published
23rd July 2024

Livingstone Shire Council has today officially adopted its 2024-25 budget with a focus on financial stability in Livingstone Shire.

Mayor Adam Belot emphasised that the $168.1 million budget was meticulously considered and prepared with a strong focus on outcomes that strive for economic sustainability for ratepayers in Livingstone Shire.

“Council has closely examined the rating structure and water pricing structure and I believe this Budget strikes a balance between minimising financial impacts to the community and working towards a stronger and sustainable financial position,” Mayor Belot said.

“The average residential property will see a combined increase of all rates and charges, including water access and consumption, of 3.26%, which equates to $3.00 per week.

“We have also brought forward the transition to a two-tier water consumption charge by one year and increased the first-tier allocation from 30kL to 90kL, which is higher than the average household quarterly consumption. This means that a household that consumes 90kL of water will pay $119.70, which is $3.00 cheaper than the price charged in 2023-24.

“Council’s debt is expected to reduce by $6.172 million to $42.371 million, and we have no borrowings planned in 2024-25. We have an operating deficit of $0.174 million to keep rates and charges as low as possible, in Council’s continued efforts to reduce the rating burden on ratepayers.

“The Valuer-General undertook a shire-wide valuation for 2024, which saw an overall increase of 26 per cent since the land valuation issued in 2022. Council has reviewed its rating category valuation bandings and rating categories to smooth out the volatile impacts of valuation changes.”

Mayor Belot said Council is consistently experiencing cost increases on materials and services required to maintain and construct its extensive infrastructure network.

“Council actively maintains 700km of sealed roads, 760km of unsealed roads, 400km of stormwater pipes, 82 bridges and major structures, and 342.5km of sewerage pipes. The cost of materials to maintain this massive network is only rising, and we must take responsible measures now to set our local community on a course for controlled growth.

“I want to thank all Councillors and Council Officers for their efforts and input into this Budget, and I also want to thank the Livingstone Shire community for their confidence and understanding.”

Budget 2024-25 Highlights

  • Key Budget Highlights
    • $168.1 million budget
    • Over 18,000 rateable assessments in Livingstone Shire
    • Average residential property will see a combined increase of all rates and charges (including water access and consumption) of 3.26%, which equates to $3.00 per week.
    • Average commercial property will see a combined increase of all rates and charges (excluding water access and consumption) of 4.75%, which equates to $10.84 per week.
    • Average primary production will see a combined decrease of all rates and charges (excluding water access and consumption) of 4.65%, which equates to $5.40 per week.
    • 4.2% increase in the overall revenue raised in rates and separate charges.
    • Reduction in the road network, natural environment, and disaster response separate charge by 20% (a total of $88.20) to $228, $26.40, and $10.20 respectively and reallocating to the general rate – essentially provides rate relief for lower valued properties with assumed lower capacity to pay.
    • Introduction of a $10 Residential Waste Facility Charge. This is a new fee to contribute to the provision of waste management facilities, services, and waste disposal vouchers. Previously, these costs were largely covered by kerbside collection utility charges. Council will continue to provide 10 waste disposal vouchers to residential properties.
    • Changes to Council’s water pricing structure:
      • Brought forward the transition to a two-tier water consumption charge by one year.
      • Increased the first-tier allocation from 30kL to 90kL which is higher than the average household quarterly consumption.
      • A household that consumes 90kL of water will pay $119.70 which is $3.00 cheaper than the price charged in 2023-24 ($122.70).
         
  • Further Budget Information
    • Introduction of new categories for Child Care Centres, Service Stations, and Power Generations
    • Expanded the number of categories to further accommodate Multi Residential Non-Strata developments.
    • Provided a 5% reduction in revenue contributed by primary production categories.
    • $47.8 million capital works program
    • $15.5 million from grant funding from both State and Commonwealth Governments
    • $18.3 million Roads, drainage and bridges – On capital projects
    • $13.5 million - Sewerage infrastructure – On capital projects
    • $2.2 million Water network infrastructure – On capital projects
    • $5.8 million Buildings and facilities – On capital projects
    • $2.7 million Plant and equipment – On renewals and replacements
    • $2.2 million Land development – On new projects
    • $3.0 million Land and site improvements – On capital projects

For more information regarding the current budget, please click here.