14 June, 2023
$700k for upgrades
Toowoomba Regional Council has adopted a $651 million 2023-24 Budget, Operational Plan and Revenue Statement, with a combined total of $700,000 allocated for upgrades to the Oakey Showground amenities and restoration work on the Jondaryan Woolshed.
Oakey Show Society President Judy Byers said the group welcomed the funding commitment to the Showgrounds.
“The Oakey Show Society Committee says it is pleased to see funding announced, which will include funding for supporting amenities and toilets,” she said.
Cr James O’Shea said money had been allocated towards the construction of new toilets and electrical works, to be completed during the 2024/25 financial year.
“In Oakey the Show-grounds will be upgraded through the replacement of the pavilion and toilets,” he said.
“The works in this financial year will include electrical works for the facility, taking power underground and upgrading poles and transformers.”
Cr O’Shea also announced that much-needed funds would be allocated to the facilities at the Jondaryan Woolshed.
“Council will provide further support to the Jondaryan Woolshed, as it continues to repair the ageing facility over the coming years,” he said.
“Council has allocated $400,000 this financial year, which will be spent on the areas in most need of restoration.”
Goombungee will see upgrades to its SES facility and shade shelters installed at the Goombungee-Haden Cemetery, after community feedback indicated a need for more shade shelters and toilets across Council’s regional cemeteries.
Cr Carol Taylor announced that $50,000 will be allocated to a two-lane upgrade to Oakey-Biddeston Road between Oakey Creek and Oakey-Crosshil Road to accommodate road trains.
She also announced that James Road will be upgraded to a minimum gravel standard road along with Glencoe-Yalangur Road at Gowrie Little Plain.
Cr Melissa Taylor announced that a footpath would be installed on Gowrie Street in Kingsthorpe, and that active walking plans were in place for Oakey.
Council has allocated $1.5 million towards stormwater drain upgrades in Kingsthorpe.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said infrastructure renewal and economic sustainability were the cornerstones of the budget.
“Our detailed forward schedule of capital works and operational programs has been carefully devised over the past year,” he said.
“Inflationary conditions...are a reminder of the need for cautious and considered financial planning.”
“Council is balancing funding reductions from the state and federal governments, rising material costs, external and internal labour shortages while community expectations keep rising,” the Mayor said.
“Despite many external demands, Council continues to work in accordance with our long-term financial sustainability parameters to ensure we budget for essential capital works and services that support our communities in the coming year and into the future,” he said.
“In addition, $68.45 million is set aside for upgrade projects, while $23.86 million has been allocated for new capital projects across the Region.
“Just as families and businesses are keeping close tabs on their spending and finances generally, we at Council face similar challenges across all our operations.
“Council’s overall operational and capital expenditure parameters are based on our 10-year Long Term Financial Forecast (LTFF), which is not only adopted by Council, but overseen by the Department of Local Government, the Queensland Treasury Corporation and Queensland Audit Office.”
Rates were a major talking point of the budget, along with infrastructure and utilities such as water.
RATES
There is a 4 per cent increase to the general rate (net overall increase in rates and charges of 3.81 per cent for an urban residential property).
The majority of urban residential ratepayers will have an increase of $129.23 a year, or $2.49 a week, after discount, which includes all rates and charges, including water and wastewater charges.
In all four previous financial years, rates were increased by 2.5 per cent and 3 per cent in the four years beforehand.
This is the highest increase since 2014-15, when rates went up 4.06 per cent.
WATER & WASTE
Finance & Business Strategy Committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said the average charge for residents connected to the Bulk Water Supply will rise by 3 per cent and those not connected to this system will rise by 8 per cent.
“In this budget, Council will continue its pricing path for water infrastructure and consumption fees,” Cr McDonald said.
“This has come following an independent review that identified opportunities to tidy up some inconsistencies in water pricing across our water schemes.”
For the continued roll out of Smart Water Meters across the region, $8 million has been committed.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Flood damage restoration will be the major focus.
Across the Toowoomba Region, $48.6 million is committed to capital infrastructure projects.
Almost $1 million is committed to renewing, upgrading and constructing footpaths, including in many regional towns.
Where the $651 million goes:
•roads, footpaths, bikeways and drainage - $170.65 million
•town water - $131.35 million
•business, strategy and operations - $69.99 million
•community services and facilities - $59.19 million
•parks and recreation - $52.27 million
•wastewater - $38.29 million
•waste services - $32.13 million
•planning and development - $15.87 million.
For full details of the 2023-24 Budget, visit tr.qld.gov.au/budget
