Council brings 2021-2022 expenditure back in line with previous years

Scenic Rim Regional Council adopted the 2021-2022 Budget at a Special Meeting in Beaudesert today announcing a total expenditure of $101.9 million for the coming financial year.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the expenditure brings the budget back in line with previous years following a drop in expenditure last year as the region responded to COVID-19 impacts.

"Last year we were very mindful of mitigating financial impacts in our region as our communities responded to sequential disaster events, including the global pandemic," he said.

"This year, our expenditure is up $14.6 million from last year's budget of $87.3 million, however this also recognises the many major projects we are delivering through various grant programs.

"Similar to prior years, the Budget is always a challenge to balance.

"We need to take into account the aspirations of our community as identified in the shared Community Plan, while ensuring we meet our legislative accountabilities and commitments to maintaining our
$1 billion of assets, and our financial sustainability for the long-term.

"It is a double-edged challenge of the continued need to increase capital investment, while also demanding additional operating investment to maintain these assets.

"To support the delivery of our program of work, revenue from Council general rates and the Community Infrastructure Charge combined will increase by three percent.

"The Community Infrastructure Charge will increase by $75 to $447 per rateable property.

"However the rate in the dollar has been reduced in most categories to contain the revenue growth to that three per cent.

"In practical terms, this means ratepayers who have a residential principal place of residence, and who are on a minimum rate, will see an increase in the general rates and Community Infrastructure Charge that equates to $47 per annum or 90 cents per week.

"If your principal place of residence is on a rural property, the minimum combined general rates and Community Infrastructure Charge will increase by $50 per annum, or 96 cents per week.

"Following last year's decision to keep Fees and Charges at a zero increase, or in some cases, reduced as a result of process improvements, this year has seen both decreases and modest increases across our various Fees and Charges to support the delivery of services to our communities."

Cr Christensen said he was grateful to the Queensland and Australian Governments for the generous grant funding which would support many projects throughout the year.

"Through co-investment from both levels of Government, grant funding will contribute $20.1 million for both operational and capital projects in the coming year," he said.

"We continue to enjoy success through grant programs, which enables us to deliver important projects for our community, while reducing the impact on our general revenue.

"Once again, we will continue our own investment in grants programs with $295,000 allocated for our Community Grants Program, and more than $104,000 will be made available under our Environmental Grants Program.

"Both of these programs help support important projects generally delivered by community and not-for-profit groups that help make the Scenic Rim a great place to live.

"This year, our capital program of $37.3 million will provide ongoing base service level maintenance of our infrastructure and assets driven by condition monitoring and life cycle management, as well as our program of strategic change.

"Our capital expenditure recognises some of the significant grant funded projects that will be delivered this year including the first phases of the Beaudesert Town Centre Revitalisation project, significant works on Kerry Road, footpaths at Beechmont and the refurbishment of the Tamborine Mountain Library."

Cr Christensen said that while Council has a strong focus on reducing waste to landfill, there would be a significant investment in the Central Waste Facility in Bromelton.

"We will spend more than $2.3 million constructing a new landfill cell at our central Waste Facility and rehabilitating the existing landfill cells," he said.

"This is part of our routine and ongoing management of our landfill, with rehabilitation of closed cells and construction of new cells for ongoing disposal of municipal solid waste conducted in accordance with the Queensland Government's guidelines.

"In our budget, we struck a balance to ensure we continue to deliver for all our communities.

"Our budget allows for pertinent services, significant support initiatives and a strong forward-focused infrastructure program.

"Importantly the budget supports renewed economic growth, drives prosperity and employment generation so that we can move forward strongly, and together.

"Over the coming year, we will continue our sharp focus on delivering on the commitments of our plans and strategies to improve our services, deliver efficiencies and to facilitate economic growth.

"As a Council, we've set a budget that is built on a strong belief in our region's future and the need to continue to commit to supporting the vibrancy and activation of our communities."

A copy of the Scenic Rim Regional Council 2021-2022 Community Budget Report is available for download from Council's website: www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/financial-information