COUNCIL'S $98.91 MILLION BUDGET TO DRIVE LOCAL ECONOMY AND JOBS GROWTH

Key infrastructure projects and initiatives to help drive the regional economy and generate local jobs growth headline Scenic Rim Regional Council's $98.91 million Budget for 2019-20.

Mayor Greg Christensen said the Budget, adopted at a Special Meeting of Council today, continued to build on Council's core commitments to sustainable service delivery, its strategic focus on the renewal of public spaces and support for employment growth while maintaining overall ratepayer revenue increases at just 1.8 per cent in line with the national Consumer Price Index.

Council's 2019-20 Budget features $13.13 million for initiatives under its Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages program with $10.72 million, including a Queensland Government contribution of $5 million for the expansion of the Beaudesert Business Park in Enterprise Drive.

"I am excited to be able to pursue this project as it offers a strong opportunity for the activation of new and novel employment prospects for both our existing workforce to escape from the commuter trap and for our young people as they move from high school," Cr Christensen said.

"This 11-hectare business park will be an expansion of the existing business park and when fully developed will be a significant contributor to our regional economy, supporting larger scale enterprises at the Bromelton State Development Area."

The Beaudesert Business Park is a landmark project that will provide added momentum to the revitalisation of the Beaudesert Town Centre which has been allocated $1.75 million in Council's 2019-20 Budget.

The Budget also reflects Council's commitment to its focus on the upgrade and renewal of key infrastructure, with $16 million allocated to the Scenic Rim's network of roads and bridges which help to drive the regional economy.

"This will include 13 road projects and eight bridge replacements, some of which will be possible only with matching funding from the Australian Government," Cr Christensen said.

Council's $36.70 capital works program in 2019-20 includes $11.98 million for roads, $530,000 for drainage, $754,000 for footpaths, $4.08 million for bridges, $1.25 million for Council facilities and, $13.13 million for the Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages program.

Council's operational expenditure of $80 million, including depreciation, provides for its wide range of services and community facilities in addition to environmental programs, community grants, grants for sporting and active recreational groups and funding for the Be Healthy and Active program to be extended from a six-month program to run throughout the year in 2019-20.

"Our Budget recognises co-investment from the State and Federal governments  for a number of projects, both operational and capital. Grants, both operational and capital, in 2019-20 will collectively deliver $13.25 million to our region," Cr Christensen said.

Council has budgeted to collect a net amount of $55 million through rates and charges and for most rates categories has capped minimum rate increases to just one per cent. This is consistent with Council's objective to slow the increase in its minimum rate threshold, particularly for principal place of residence and rural principal place of residence properties.

"For an owner-occupied residence on the minimum general rate of $1,215 this represents an increase of $12 annually or 23 cents per week," Cr Christensen said.

"Around 32 per cent of residential properties, including principal and non-principal place of residence, will not experience an increase in general rates in 2019-20. The Rate in the Dollar for principal place of residence properties will reduce a further 3.78 per cent which is back to the lowest value for five years."