Council budget focused on community needs and economic stability

Gladstone Regional Council has handed down its 2021/22 Operational Plan and Budget, outlining its priorities to deliver value for our communities over the next 12 months.

The theme of this year’s budget is Collective Delivery, with the Operational Plan and Budget focusing on providing the services our communities need and working collectively to deliver this.

There is also a strong focus on building community capacity and supporting the economic development and growth of the Gladstone Region.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said he was confident Council will deliver on our budget and operational plan commitments.

“The challenges presented to our region, and the country, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, has required an unprecedented response,” Cr Burnett said.

“Last year, we made the strong decision to freeze rates and cover the cost of CPI for our ratepayers while we faced uncertain times.

“Our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing and has been spearheaded by a capital spend in necessary community infrastructure to make sure our community is supported by the infrastructure that it needs.

“This budget will continue to fund capital projects at a total of $73.4 million, with pleasing support of both State and Federal Governments to the value of $16.7m.

“This demonstrates the effectiveness of Council’s strategy to seek specific funding for our capital projects, so we can continue to improve our region’s infrastructure through external funding, not ratepayer dollars.”

Key capital projects to be funded this financial year include:

$2.0m – Sewerage Mains replacement to Gladstone Waste Water Treatment Plant
$1.4m – Bridge Replacements – Gorge Road and John Clifford Way near Lowmead
$1.12m – Benaraby Landfill Cell 2 capping
$1.0m – Toolooa Street Pavement and Footpath Renewal
$0.9m – For road improvements along Coast Road, Baffle Creek.

These projects will have funding input via the highly successful State Government Works for Queensland program.

Cr Burnett said we will continue to focus on planning and advocating for the future.

“To do this, we will fund three key strategic activities to position our region to capitalise on the emerging energy sectors, and make sure we continue to leverage our connection to the world through the Gladstone Port.”

He added that holistic planning of our road networks will help connect our beef producers to the world and assist with advocating and planning to link Council’s road network to support other transport enhancements such as the Melbourne to Gladstone Inland Rail.

Funds have also been allocated to continue with three other key strategic projects – the design of the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre, the Gladstone Coal Exporters Sports Complex (Marley Brown Oval) and the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail.

To ensure Council can sustainably deliver core services to our communities, the average residential ratepayer’s general rates will increase in line with the current Consumer Price Index (CPI, Brisbane) of 1.7 per cent.

“I am pleased to announce that the average residential general rate will only increase in line with CPI,” Cr Burnett said.

“We worked hard to keep our general rate increase in line with CPI however it has been necessary to increase service charges by 4.9 per cent this financial year, as Council’s underlying costs have also increased.

“While the total average general rate will increase by CPI, the impact on each ratepayer will be different, depending on many factors, one of which is the land valuations issued by the Valuer General in March this year.

“An increase or reduction in your land valuation does not necessarily result in an increase or reduction in the cost to providing our services.”

Cr Burnett encouraged ratepayers with questions about what this means for their rates to contact Council to discuss individual circumstances.

The 2021/22 Operational Plan and Budget is the first to come out of Council’s recently refreshed five year Corporate Plan, with the Operational Plan focusing on the key actions Council will deliver to achieve its goals, outcomes and objectives.

The plan was prepared alongside the budget to ensure both core services and new initiatives are appropriately funded.

Please visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/budget to view the full 2021/22 Gladstone Regional Council Operational Plan and Budget, Budget meeting live stream, highlights and summary.

Funding for key services includes: