Everything you need to know about the Western Downs Regional Council 2021/2022 budget

Here’s everything you need to know about the Western Downs Regional Council’s 2021-2022 budget, from a 4.5 rise on general rates, $45m invested into roads, to over $3m spent on water security.

BUDGET DETAILS: Everything you need to know about the Western Downs Regional Council’s 2021-2022 budget. Pic: Supplied.

Water security, improving roads and a rates rise are three major take home points from the Western Down’s 2021-2022 budget, announced this week.

In addition, $24.2 million will be spent on community facilities and $19.8m for recreational spaces will be spent by the council.

The Western Downs Regional Council will continue its debt free status, which it entered in 2019.

At the budget meeting on Wednesday, the council said it would focus on the long-term growth and sustainability of the region, with the 2021/2022 budget aiming to building a stronger future for the growing, while taking an honest approach to the resource industry which has long underpinned its success.

BUDGET: Western Downs Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Ross Musgrove. Supplied

Following on from a huge year of investment as part of council’s COVID-19 Recovery Package, the budget paves the way for a sustainable future for the region, delivering a range of new projects to drive sustainable growth while ensuring residents have access to quality essential services.

Announcing the budget on Wednesday, June 23, Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said council was focused on promoting the Western Downs as an attractive place to live and work.

“We have a diverse economy here… the budget is about supporting this economy and setting the foundations for a prosperous future for the region,” Mr McVeigh said.

“We are a council at the forefront of the changing world, and this future-focused attitude has allowed us to go above and beyond for the community, delivering a huge stimulus package, generating jobs, and keeping our rates substantially lower than other regions of the same size.”

RATES TO INCREASE: Cr Rasmussen said the council was able to ensure the Western Downs remained affordable despite huge rises in land valuations dictated by the State Government. Pic: Supplied

General rates to rise to an all-time high

Residents will pay an extra 4.5 per cent in general rates, as the Western Downs Regional Council begins to focus on the sustainability of the region without relying on the resource industry - up from a 2.5 per cent increase in 2020.

Finance, corporate services and business strategy councillor Ian Rasmussen said the council was able to ensure the Western Downs remained affordable despite huge rises in land valuations dictated by the State Government.

“Despite rural land valuations going up anywhere between 25 per cent and 40 per cent in our region, council has been able to keep the average general rates increase at 4.5 per cent, which is a result of our ongoing responsible financial management,” he said.

Click HERE for more information on how rates across the Western Downs are set to change.

COMMUNITY: Councillor Megan James said the council was focused on ensuring the region is an attractive place to live, work, prosper and play, as part of the 2021-2022 budget. Pic: WDRC

$24.2 million to bolsters vital community facilities

The council is building on the region’s liveability, with the continued rollout of a massive $24.2m package to improve the community’s facilities off the back of a large investment under the council’s Accelerated Major Projects 2020 program.

Strategic communications and council facilities councillor Megan James said the council was focused on ensuring the region was an attractive place to live, work, prosper and play.

“As part of this investment, we’re completing some improvements at Kogan Hall, as well as replacing the roofing at Glenmorgan RSL Hall, and Meandarra School of Arts,” she said.

“Our showgrounds will also receive some important improvements including an upgrade to the septic system at Jandowae showgrounds and a replacement of the water lines at Wandoan showgrounds.

“We will also be delivering a region-wide engineering review of all our aquatic centres to ensure they are safe and accessible for our residents, and we will be upgrading amenities at the Miles Aquatic Centre.

“These upgrades have the added benefit of generating jobs for local contractors, which is a core part of council’s commitment to buying local and supporting businesses.”

ROADS TO FOOTPATHS: Western Downs Regional Council Works and Technical Services Councillor George Moore said the council continued to build connectivity across local towns by investing in new footpath linkages. Pic: Peta McEachern

Half the entire budget set aside for roads, bridges, and footpaths

The council will spend more than half its entire 2021/2022 capital budget – a whopping $45.5m – on improving roads, bridges, and footpaths across the region.

Councillor George Moore said the council was investing in safe, well-maintained road networks to connect the region and support economic activities.

“Our region is home to the second-largest road network in the country stretching across 7500km, so it’s important we continue to invest in projects to ensure our roads are safe and maintained correctly,” Mr Moore said.

For more details where the $45.5m will be spent, click HERE.

LIVEABILITY: Cr Carolyn Tillman said the region’s parks and open spaces were huge recreational draw cards for the region. Pic: Supplied

Record spend on parks and open spaces

The council plans to enhance the region’s natural assets as part of a record $19.8 million investment rolling out across the region’s recreational spaces and cemeteries.

Recreational spaces and cemeteries councillor Carolyn Tillman said the region’s parks and open spaces were huge recreational draw cards for the region.

“We take pride in our natural assets, environment and heritage and this investment is about making our open spaces special and inviting for local residents and tourists visiting the region,” Ms Tillman said.

“This year we see revitalisations at Chinchilla Weir, Lake Broadwater, and Caliguel Lagoon at Condamine come to fruition, with more work scheduled to complete similar projects at Waterloo Plain Environmental Park at Wandoan, and Tara Lagoon Parklands.

“We’re also delivering a revitalisation of the Miles CBD Streetscape which includes a fabulous upgrade of Anzac Park as well as an extensive beautification of the main street.”

“We’re delivering improvements to our major parks including new picnic shelters, shading and signage at the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland and new shading, bollards, picnic shelters, and footpaths around Myall Creek in Dalby,

“We’re also delivering a range of upgrades to other much-loved parks such as Richard Best Park at Warra, Jimbour Park, Ensor Park at Bell, Grevillia Park in Tara, Westmar playground, Brigalow playground, and parks in Meandarra.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Western Downs Regional Council Deputy Mayor Andrew Smith said the council was at the forefront of attracting new and innovative industries to grow the diverse region. Pic: Supplied.

Push towards a sustainable future

In a move to promote a sustainable future new waste and recycling facilities will be built, and the budget also outlined investments in the economic and environmental sustainability of the region by offering targeted incentives and improved services.

Councillor Andrew Smith said the council was at the forefront of attracting new and innovative industries to grow the diverse region.

“Over the coming year, infrastructure charges will be waived for eligible approvals across several industries including aged and health care, tourism, intensive agriculture, and commercial (business),” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said the council also continued to invest in the environmental sustainability of the region, with funding to ensure residents had access to modern infrastructure and reliable essential services.

Click HERE to see what infrastructure changes are planned and services that have been discounted.

BOOST TO ECONOMY: Councillor Kylie Bourne, said the council budget focused on offering more lifestyle opportunities for residents and events for tourists. Pic: Supplied

Bolstering tourism across the Western Downs

The region has seen a significant increase in tourist numbers in past 12 months, which has fantastic flow-on effects for local businesses – and the council is set to capitalise on this by investing in events.

Tourism, events and regional promotion, councillor Kylie Bourne, said the council budget focused on offering more lifestyle opportunities for residents and events for tourists.

“The Western Downs is a prime location for premier destination events, and we’re excited to announce funding has also been allocated to deliver another drone forum in the region,” she said.

“This year we’ll also complete upgrades at several popular camping spots across the region, which will further enhance opportunities for ‘drive tourism’ throughout the year.

“Council has also allocated $1.72 million to progress a fabulous project to activate Dalby’s town centre during the day and night, with works to deliver a new public space at 120 Cunningham Street continuing.

“We’re also continuing with our exciting project to construct a series of mountain bike trails at Russell Park at the Bunya Mountains to maximise visitor experiences at this beautiful location.”

Ms Bourne said the council would continue to empower and support festival committees to deliver their events.

“This year funding support is allocated to several destination events including Chinchilla Melon Festival, Dalby Delicious and DeLIGHTful, Jandowae Timbertown Festival, Miles Back to the Bush Festival, Opera at Jimbour, and Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races,” she said.

“It’s really exciting to announce Big Skies Festival will go ahead in 2022, after a two-year break due to the pandemic.”

WATER SECURITY: Councillor Peter Saxelby said an integral part of the budget was to assure long-term water security for the region by delivering new projects and renewing old. Pic: Supplied

Million-dollar plan for water security

Bolstering water supply across the region and building drought resilience was another key focus of the WDRC’s 2021/2022 budget.

Western Downs councillor Peter Saxelby said an integral part of the budget was to ensure the long-term water security of the region by delivering both new and old projects.

“Ensuring our community continues to have safe, reliable access to water is a huge priority for council, and we continue to advocate for long-term domestic and industrial water supply for the region,” Mr Saxelby said.

Click HERE for more details on how the council plans to store water through a range of projects.

PROGRAMS BOOST: Cr Maguire said Western Downs Libraries would continue to draw the community together with an abundance of Library programs and workshops delivered in 21/22. Pic: Supplied

Initiatives to drive a connected and united community

The Western Downs is set to come alive with social and cultural activities to promote a more connected region as part of a $3m investment into community programs in the 2021/2022.

Community and cultural development councillor Kaye Maguire said as part budget, the council would be delivering a comedy roadshow, which will visit regional towns to promote the importance community connectivity and fun.

“The acclaimed FlickerFest Short Film Festival will also return to the region, offering an opportunity for our community to experience the very best in Australian short film,” she said.

“Council will also deliver a series of outdoor family movie nights to satisfy the film buffs in every household, and host another ‘Groovin’ in the Garden’ live music event.

“We’re also continuing to celebrate our region’s wonderful creative talents, with the second round of our “10 Artists Project” to take place over the coming year.

Ms Maguire said the council’s community grants program will continue to offer financial assistance to community groups and sporting clubs.

“Our grants cover several programs including the Individual Excellence Program, Local Events Program, Destination Events Program, Regional Art Development Fund, Reimbursement Program, In-Kind Assistance, Community Activation Program, and Community Projects Program,” she said.