Virtual Rates Freeze headlines 20-21 Budget
Published on 14 July 2020
The average residential ratepayer will benefit from a rates freeze in the Rockhampton Regional Council budget adopted today, with more than half of our residential ratepayers to actually pay less than they did last year.
The mechanism for the freeze would be through a $70 reduction which would be applied to the first rates bill when it was issued later this month.
Mayor Margaret Strelow said results will be varied across the Region as a land revaluation saw fluctuations up-and-down from one end of the spectrum to the other.
“We have focused on bringing relief to as many people as we can,” Mayor Strelow said.
“So this measure is about giving immediate help to people now which is why we’ve loaded the full reduction into this first bill – rather than applying $35 to each bill.
“For more than half of our average residential ratepayers, it means you’ll be paying less than you did last year. 65% of people will either be paying less or the same as they did last year.
“The reason Council elected to do it this way was that it maximised the benefit to as many people as possible at a time when they’re hurting most.”
Mayor Strelow said this year’s budget was a balance between minimising the impact on ratepayers while doing its bit to help the local economy recover and grow.
“In order to stimulate the local economy, Council has also revealed a record $170 million capital program which includes major water and sewerage works, the airport terminal upgrade, the new art gallery and almost $18 million dollars on road renewals.
“Based on previous years, more than 75% of that money will be spent locally, bearing in mind some specialist equipment like airport lighting can only be purchased out of region.
“Council also previously announced a community assistance package worth $1.3 million which included waiving interest on outstanding rates arrears, refunds for leases to sporting clubs and a community hardship grants program.
“While times are tough, this Budget has a lot of good in it for the whole community as we work our way through this recovery together,” Mayor Strelow said.
For the first time in seven years, Council will hand down a budget in deficit of $5.4 million with increased borrowings of $29.4 million to cater for the capital program.
Deputy Mayor Neil Fisher said it was necessary in order to deliver the level of services and projects the community needed to recover and grow.
"The reality is there has been impacts to Council’s bottom line through fewer flights and a loss of fees and charges as well as cancelled event revenue, so like any business we have to manage those impacts,” Cr Fisher said.
“But the Budget that we have handed down today is a responsible and measured response to those challenges and which is why we’ve got immediate relief in there for the whole community as well as that longer term investment through the capital program.”
One of the key components of the capital program is a massive investment in upgrading aging sewage treatment and water facilities to meet population growth and service future demand.
Water and Environment Councillor Donna Kirkland said the investment would be worth almost $37 million over the next four years.
“This year we’re investing across our water and sewage network to augment the North Rockhampton and Gracemere Sewage Treatment Plants, renew the electrical and control network at the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant and also invest in solar at the Glenmore WTP.
“The combined investment this year alone is $8 million and by the time all these works are completed in three years’ time, the solar at Glenmore is expected to have paid for itself which is great for both ratepayers and our environment,” Cr Kirkland said.
Read the full budget here.