Central Highlands Regional Council reveals 2021-22 budget

How rates will change and which projects will get a boost as part of the $222m budget.

Central Highlands Regional Council revealed its 2021-22 budget on June 30.

Residents can expect an increase in rates and water charges, and a focus on regional infrastructure as part of Central Highlands Regional Council’s $222.1 million budget for 2021-22 handed down on Wednesday.

Ratepayers can expect a three per cent rate increase for the average household, four per cent for mining properties, with rural rates increasing five per cent.

According to the Budget papers, rate increases in previous financial years have been held at less than inflation to keep rates as low as possible.

“Unless rate increases keep up with inflation in the longer term, council runs the risk of delivering declining service levels and an inability to maintain and replace assets when required,” it stated.

“To address this, council has taken steps in the 2021-2022 budget to increase general rates by more than inflation and to move the cap on increases from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.”

Ratepayers will also have increased water and waste charges, with a $15 per annum increase in waste charges, $44 per annum increase in sewerage and $26 per annum increase in residential water access charge.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said council had produced a well balanced budget in what was a difficult time across the country.

“This council — your council — provides 60-plus core services that are not always visible or noticeable or promoted, but they are all essential to make this region a healthy, safe, inclusive, liveable economy,” he said.

“Preparation of a $222.1 million budget for a local government area the size of Tasmania with just 15,000 rateable properties and a workforce of around 480 people is a complex task.

“Every year we strive to not only meet the expectations of our 13 communities but to provide a safe and attractive workplace for hundreds of local people, support local business, maintain $1.9 billion of assets, such as 4632 kilometres of roads, and keep rates and charges increases for households to an absolute minimum.”

Capital Works funding allocated as part of the 2021-22 Central Highlands Regional Council budget.

In positive news for the region, council has welcomed a $59.9m capital works program that includes $2.7m for the Emerald Community Kindergarten redevelopment, $4m to resheet roads, $3m for the reconstruction of Lilyvale Road and $1.4m for the construction of spelling yards at the Emerald saleyards.

A further $27m has been allocated to infrastructure and $7m for facilities parks and recreation.

The region’s youth is set to benefit from $142,750 for youth programs and strategy implementation and $392,667 has been dedicated to ongoing community grants programs.

Mr Hayes said it was a budget that adapted to the current economic climate.

“This region has avoided much of the nation’s recession,” he said.

“However, we want to make sure that the region stays strong and that will be achieved with balanced and responsible budgets.

“I’m proud to say that Central Highlands has one of the strongest local government financial positions in Queensland and that’s due to the sensible decisions we’ve made and the prudent investment in capital projects over the last eight years.”