27 June, 2021
Council rates to rise by 2.76 per cent
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has announced an increase of 2.76 per cent to the overall Council rate for local property owners, which factors in rises to the general rate, wastewater, water access and consumption charges and other charges as part of its 2021/22 Budget.
TRC Deputy Mayor and Finance and Business Strategy Committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said this rise would equate to an extra $1.76 a week.
He said the $551 million Budget features $187 million in capital projects and $364 million operational spend.
Cr McDonald said Oakey residents will benefit from a portion of this capital works budget with funding allocated to local projects.
These include $400,000 from Council for upgrades to the Oakey Showgrounds and a further $800,000 for the Oakey Pool.
Council has also put in money alongside the Australian Government to upgrade local main roads including:
- Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the Bowenville-Moola Road upgrade project which is set to start in October 2021;
- Oakey-Biddeston Road upgrades which has a total budget of $2.2 million;
- a $3.3 million project to upgrade Dalby Nungil Road at Irvingdale set for a start date of October this year;
- Kingsthorpe-Haden culvert renewal which has a total budget of $1.3 million; and
- Yalangur-Lilyvale Road blackspot program worth a total of $1.7 million.
Mayor Paul Antonio said in the 2021/22 financial year, the Budget has been committed to undertake numerous regional re-sealing, rehabilitation and asphalt overlay programs.
He said this shows the importance of infrastructure renewal in the Council’s Budget.
“We have a responsibility to plan for maintenance and upgrades to our existing infrastructure to guarantee the long-term viability of essential services to residents,” Mayor Antonio said.
“We are mindful that every new asset comes with its own ongoing maintenance costs.
“Council has considered balancing outlays on renewal and upgrade programs with the demonstrated need for new facilities and infrastructure.
“As a result, there is a keen focus around the timely delivery of projects listed in the annual capital works program.”
For full details of the 2021/2022 Budget, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/budget
