Council budget a ‘responsible step into the future’

Longreach Regional Council is forecasting a $3m positive net result in its 2022-23 Budget, handed down on Wednesday.

Rates will be increased by less than inflation, with an average 4% increase targeted. Pensioners will be mostly spared from the rate increase, with a rating review resulting in little to no increase across that category. Council has minimised the impact of the rates increase to pensioners with significant increases to pensioner concessions.

As part of the budget Council will deliver over $52m in operational services, and a capital works program worth $18m. 

Mayor Tony Rayner said the budget had been prepared with economic conditions in mind.

“There’s been a lot of change in the last six months, and it looks like we’ll continue to see things changing into the future” he explained. “Inflation is rising, so are interest rates, and there are supply chain and labour market issues having wide-ranging impacts on the economy.

“We’re not isolated from any of those impacts in our region, so we’ve tried in this budget to responsibly plot a course through whatever the next twelve months have in store.”

Under the budget Council’s cash position will remain strong with over $20.1m projected to be in the bank at the end of the 2022/23 financial year. Council stands to benefit from over $11.1m in capital grants, plus over $21.8m in non-capital grants and contributions.

Cr Rayner said Council relied on good relationships with government to secure funding.

“The support of state and federal governments is vital to low-rate-base councils like ours. They are valued partners in almost everything we do, and it’s been our focus in recent years to be better at securing grant opportunities.

“We work very hard to make sure that we offer good value to governments for their investment in our region.” 

He said Council was always looking for ways to improve its financial management.

“We’ve taken a number of steps to enhance our ability to manage our finances, including the appointment of our first ever Chief Financial Officer at the start of this year. We’ve also been working hard on our asset management practices, because we know how important that work is.

“We manage over $325 million worth of community assets.”

As part of its budget Council will spend $9.7 Million maintaining Public Facilities like Cemeteries, Showgrounds, Parks and Gardens, Pools, Sporting Facilities, and Town Halls; $8.9 Million maintaining and improving town streets, storm-water drainage and rural roads; $6.7 Million providing water and sewerage services; $1.1 Million managing pests, weeds, rural lands, stock routes, and reserves; $975,000 supporting the regional visitor economy; and $906,000 delivering Community Services such as Libraries, Events, and Sponsorship.

Mayor Rayner said the budget will support the work of incoming Chief Executive Officer, Dirk Dowling.

“I look forward to working with Dirk on this and other strategic matters. This budget will support the work of Council under new leadership, and compliment the development of new capabilities that will serve us well into whatever the next twelve months hold.

“It represents a responsible step into the future for our organisation and the community.”

The full Longreach Regional Council Budget 2022-2023, including the Mayor’s Budget Statement, will be available to download from Council’s website in due course.