Community consultation commences on Council's Draft Budget

Community consultation has commenced on Scenic Rim Regional Council's Draft 2023-2024 Budget following its acceptance at yesterday's Ordinary Meeting.

Drafts of the 2023-2024 Budget, Capital Works Program and Schedule of Fees and Charges were approved for Council's first ever budget public consultation, which will inform preparations of the final budget to be adopted in June.

Scenic Rim residents and business operators are able to provide their feedback online from Wednesday 5 April until Wednesday 3 May by registering on the Let’s Talk Scenic Rim community engagement platform or by attending one of the three community consultation sessions at Boonah, Beaudesert or Tamborine Mountain later this month.

Mayor Greg Christensen said he and his fellow Councillors were pleased to present the Draft Budget which reflected Council's determination to continue to build a strong future for the Scenic Rim and provide best value to ratepayers through the responsible allocation of its limited financial resources.

"This draft budget has been framed in the context of fiscal responsibility based on robust planning and analysis to ensure sustainability, a strategic approach to service delivery to meet community needs and expectations and, above all, good governance," he said.

"Planning for the year ahead has taken place against a backdrop of increasing cost pressures reflecting the current economic climate, as well as ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events which have impacted our region."

Mayor Christensen said Council was committed to minimising the financial burden on ratepayers and had continued to focus on cost recovery in setting its fees and charges for the year.

"We understand the cost of living pressures facing members of our community and have aimed to keep our revenue needs to a minimum level," he said.

"However, balancing the aspirations of the community captured in the shared vision of the Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026 against the pressures of maintaining public assets and protecting our future financial sustainability are all key factors we must consider in determining our budget settings."

The Draft 2023-2024 Budget is aligned with the Draft Operational Plan which is underpinned by the Corporate Plan, Scenic Rim 2026, and the broader Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026.

As well as providing feedback online through letstalk.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/ residents and business operators can contribute to the budget discussion through community consultation sessions on:

• Thursday 20 April 2023 at Boonah Cultural Centre from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
• Wednesday 26 April 2023 at The Centre Beaudesert from 5:30pm to 7:00pm, and
• Thursday 27 April 2023 at Tamborine Mountain State School from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

"I hope everyone will make the most of the opportunity to take part in the consultation process and provide constructive feedback that will assist in achieving our shared goal of shaping a successful future for our spectacular Scenic Rim," Mayor Christensen said.