North Burnett Regional Council has listened to the community and developed a prudent 2016-17 Budget focusing on the priorities identified during the March Local Government Elections.
Council formally adopted its ninth budget today, with highlights from the budget including a rate increase set at 4.95% for general residential rates, a key focus on rejuvenating Council's local road network, and replacement of the Environment Management Levy with an $85 per property Landfill Management Levy.
North Burnett Regional Council Mayor, Cr Rachel Chambers explained that consideration for this budget included current and future needs of our communities, maintenance and development of infrastructure and sustainability of our council into the future.
"Deliberate attention was given to our four main priorities for this term, roads, efficiency, relationships and tidy towns," Mayor Chambers said.
With the incoming Council's priority for the 2016-17 period focusing on revitalising the local road network, 75% of this years capital budget has been allocated to roads, bridges and drainage and an additional $1M from the Operational Budget has been prioritised for rural road maintenance.
To enhance services for our community, Council has changed its fees and charges with domestic waste disposal for local residents and ratepayers at Waste Management Facilities now FREE. (Limited to 1 tonne utilities for residential waste.)
Council's overall budget position for the 2016-2017 year will be a $3.1 million deficit, with income estimated at $34,590,491 and expenditure for the year estimated at $37,771,239. However, over the next five years Council plans to return the budget to surplus.
The following is a brief overview of some of the major points contained within the budget.
General Rates
North Burnett Regional Council has levied for an average 4.95% increase in residential general rates. Looking at an average residential property within our townships, the average rise for these property owners will be $148 per annum. This figure is different for Mt Perry due to no sewerage scheme charge and is expected to be $124.60. This figure is based on a combined rate, utility and levy charges.
Landfill Management Levy
To enhance services for our community, in 2016-2017, residents and ratepayers will be allowed to dispose of household waste at all tips in the North Burnett for FREE. This major change has been made in response to community feedback and is a significant service enhancement.
To enable Council to deal with the challenges and costs of waste management a new Landfill Management Levy will be introduced as part of the 2016-2017 budget. This landfill management levy will replace the previous environmental management levy which has been discontinued. In 2016-2017 the Landfill Management Levy will be set at $85 per rateable property.
Water and Sewerage
Council proposed to adopt a water access charge levied at $563 and consumption charges of 1.69 per kilolitre for the 2016/17 financial year. The Council operates 7 separate water supply schemes and determines that the net cost of providing a water supply in each scheme area including operation and maintenance costs, capital costs and debt servicing costs will be fully funded by charges on those lands receiving a supply or to which a supply is deemed to be available.
Council operates 5 Sewerage systems within the region and determines an access for each parcel of land able to be connected to the schemes and an operational charge for the 1st pedestal connected to the scheme. The sewerage charges proposed are $420 for an access charge for vacant parcel only and $552 for the operational charge for the first pedestal in residential properties only.
Roads and Bridges
The road and bridge network continues to be a major focus of Council budgets. Considerable resources have been allocated to the previous flood reconstruction works which have been completed though our region. It is worth noting Council again received a declaration for an event from 4-8 February 2016. This follows the declared flood events of 2010/11, 2013 and 2015.
The estimated total cost of this event is approx. $4.8 million with these works to be commenced in the coming financial year. Council is currently working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to finalise all approvals for this event. Council will continue to utilise all external funding that is available for the road network as well as contributing significant funding from Council's own source revenue.
Capital Works
Council will adopt a significant capital programme for the 2016/17 financial year of a total spend of $28.9 million with $20.5 million being sourced through external funding. A continued major area of focus is on the roads, streets and bridges with an estimated $11.7 million being spent in this asset group through internal and funded external programmes.
The budget contains many strong initiatives that continue to build on the stable financial base as well as balancing the current financial environment and reduced revenue. Council continues to work towards achieving a balanced position in line with the 10 year forecasts and continued organisational improvement will be required if this position is to be not only achieved but maintained.
It is a budget that is prudent given our circumstance, and importantly reflects responsible fiscal management while still delivering excellent outcomes across the board for our community. As in previous years, Council will maintain a tight fiscal position over the coming year with opportunities for review of the adopted budget quarterly. This will allow Council to review and contend with a continually changing and difficult financial environment.
All residents are encouraged to drop into any of our Council Offices or libraries and view the budget and operational plan for themselves.
