Longreach Regional Council Adopts 2009/2010 Budget
Michelle McFadyen
Phone: 07 46 584 111
Facsimile: 07 46 584 116
Email: assist@longreach.qld.gov.au
To view full budget document CLICK HERE
SUMMARY
The Longreach Regional Council adopted its budget at a special Budget Meeting on Thursday 2 July 2009. General rates and garbage/cleansing charges across Longreach, Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka have increased by 5.3%. Longreach River Water charges are increasing by 10% to help fund the mains replacement project. Longreach Bore Water charges have increased by 5.3%, with water charges in Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka increasing by 7.5%. Sewerage charges across the four towns are increasing by 7.5%. Rate increases for Longreach residents averages to 6.8%, with an average in Ilfracombe of 6.1% and Isisford and Yaraka of 6.6%.
“Over the past year we have really looked at any efficiencies we can gain in our operation and that is reflected in this budget. Council has been able to keep rate increases generally in line with the local government cost index of 5.3%, even considering the fact that the State Government abruptly cut the Road and Drainage Grant to all councils, which to us was worth $155,000 per year, and the fact that the State Government removed the fuel subsidy of 8%. This budget is really good news for the community and it is through good financial and operational management that we have been able to keep rate increases to a minimum”, Chief Executive Officer Michelle McFadyen said.
Maximum Council Pensioner remissions have remained at $660 per year compared to the State Government pensioner remission of $180 per year. Council has allowed for $195,228 to be paid in pensioner remissions in 2009/2010.
“The increase for an average residential ratepayer in the Longreach area is $2.80 per week if you are connected to bore water and $2.38 per week if not connected to bore water, in the Ilfracombe area the increase is 85 cents per week and in the Isisford area the increase is 36 cents per week. This is very reasonable. ” Cr John Palmer said.
As council has made a decision to decommission the bore water reticulation system, the rates on this service have been kept at the local government cost index to allow council to maintain that system until it is decommissioned, with the cost of replacing the river water mains, and a new bore, to be spread over all water users through the river water rate.
Council has budgeted expenditures exceeding $59M, with almost $20M of this being capital expenditure. Usage of some $5M of reserve funds and $12.5M in operating grants and $10.2M in capital grants and contributions, and land sales, will fund some of this expenditure. Council’s reserves will still remain at approximately $6.2M after these expenditures are incurred.
Rural property owners will face an increase of 5.3% before equalisation. Council has until 1st July 2012 to equalise the rural rates across the new regional council area. After equalisation, rural rates for Longreach area will increase by approximately 5.2%, Isisford and Yaraka area will see no increase on last years levy and Ilfracombe will be 9.8%.
“This is a very responsible budget which looks to our future, and has a primary focus on much needed infrastructure replacement and maintenance. Council has considered these tough economic times and tightened our belt to ensure the rate increases to our community are kept to a minimum”, Cr John Palmer, Mayor stated.
Highlights of the 2009/2010 Budget include the following:
Sewerage & CED Systems: There is approximately $1.5M worth of work across the three branches of which there is approximately $300,000 routine operation & maintenance, $80,000 of new work in Ilfracombe for a sub division, $450,000 of mains upgrade with a 50/50 cost split for Discovery Holiday Parks, and $770,000 worth of work in Longreach for various items including CCTV work, pump station upgrades & mains upgrades.
Water: There is approximately $3.25 M worth of work across the three branches of which there is approximately $1M routine operation & maintenance, $1.5M Longreach River water mains replacement, $600K for a new bore in Longreach and $150K M worth of work for various items including leakage detection.
Roads & Streets: There is approximately $14.3M worth of work across the three branches of which there is approximately $6.3M routine operation & maintenance, $2.8M ($1.5 M local roads & $1.3 M for Main Roads) & $5.2M worth of Contract work to Main Roads.
Total Wages: Council’s total wages for 2009/10 will amount to $8.5M (net of oncosts and overtime).
Plant & Machinery: Replacement of $2.9M worth of plant has been allowed for throughout the region.
Tourism Activities: Tourism activities across the region amount to over $200,000 and the provision of Visitor Information Centres and museums net cost in 2009/10 will be approximately $500,000.
Visitor Information Centre Longreach: Following the successful application by the Longreach State High School under the Trade Training Centre funding, council have allocated $150,000 to compliment the $300,000 funding from this project to undertake extensions to the Visitor Information Centre in Longreach.
Health Services and Animal Control: Council will spend approximately $180,000 on the provision of health services to the community in 2009/10.
Pest & Stock Route Management: An amount of $100,000 is planned to finish the new Washdown Bay at Ilfracombe and an amount of $177,500 is allocated to animal bounties. A total amount of $454,000 has been apportioned to the Property Pest Management program for the year, and $514,000 for stock route management throughout the region.
LongreachAirport: Continuation of the Longreach Airport Redevelopment Program with provision for the new terminal and landside works etc of approximately $8m. Council’s contribution to the airport redevelopment project was $2m, with $1.3m coming from borrowings. This contribution was allocated to the runway overlay conducted in 2008/9.
Development of Land: Commencement of development of the next stage of residential subdivisions for Longreach and Ilfracombe plus development of Commercial land and car parking land has been allowed for totaling over $430,000.
Child Care Centre & Services: Council will continue to operate the Child Care Centre, Family Day Care, Vacation Care, Rural In Home Care, After School Hours Care and Mobile Child Care programs totaling some $3.1M.
Libraries: Council has allocated over $200,000 to operate community libraries in the region in 2009/10.
Community Centres and Halls: Community Centres and Halls across the region will cost council $383,000 with revenues of $230,000.
Community Housing Services: This service costs council (after income), approximately $100,000 per annum across Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka.
Community Assistance: Through a number of community assistance programs (including the Multipurpose Infrastructure Fund, pensioner remissions and RADF grants), council provides a total of $180,000 support. In addition, council has allocated $110,000 to community group and sporting bodies assistance.
Isisford Bowling Green: Thanks to grant from Sport and Recreation Queensland, Isisford will receive a new bowling green to the value of over $200,000 with 25% funding from council.
Swimming Pools: The provision of swimming pools in the region will cost council approximately $325,000 in 2009/10.
Parks and Gardens: Parks and Gardens maintenance and capital improvements across the region have been allocated an expenditure amount of $675,000.
Public Conveniences: The provision and maintenance of public conveniences in all towns totals over $100,000.
Showgrounds and Other Sporting Facilities: across the region, showgrounds and other sporting facilities in Longreach, Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka will cost $210,000 net in 2009/10.
Bikeways & Walkways: The Federal Governments Better Regions program will fully fund new bikeways and walking paths in the area up to $400,000.
Ends
Primary Contact:
Cr John Palmer
Mayor
Longreach Regional Council
Ph: 0407 654 343
Secondary Contact:
Michelle McFadyen
Chief Executive Officer
Longreach Regional Council
Ph: 0408 782 230
