Fraser Coast ratepayers hit with 4.9 per cent rate rise as budget announced

Among rising costs of living Fraser Coast ratepayers have been hit with a 4.9 per cent rate rise as the council handed down its 2023-24 budget.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council hands down its 2023/24 Budget on Wednesday, June 28.

Fraser Coast ratepayers are set to be hit with a 4.9 per cent rate rise, which was announced as the council handed down its budget on Wednesday, June 28.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the budget was the most challenging the council had put together in years, but the rates rise was still less than inflation, which was currently at 7.4 per cent.

“As every household or business knows, everything is costing more,” he said.

“Despite these challenges, council remains focused on delivering essential services like water, waste and roads as efficiently as possible, while also planning for the future to meet the unique needs of our growing community.”

Mr Seymour said this year there would be a $7.4 million budget deficit but that would be offset by surpluses in previous years.

He said all services had been “put under the microscope” as the council worked together to plan the budget for the next financial year.

The rising cost of living had been considered, Mr Seymour said, acknowledging it had impacted on both the community and the council.

He said building one kilometre of road 12 months ago cost half as much as it did now.

A rate rise had been anticipated after Mr Seymour announced in May that rising costs and reduced government grants had inflicted a $29 million hit to the council’s bottom line.

At the time, Mr Seymour said his council was working hard to keep rate rises to a minimum “while still investing in the services and facilities our growing community needs”.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour.

Mr Seymour said for residential homeowners on the minimum rate, the average increase to their total bill, including water and wastewater charges, would be about $4.41 per week.

The total budget will be $440 million in 2023/24, including $179 million in capital works to stimulate the economy and build or improve public infrastructure.

“We’re delivering new and improved roads, upgrading the water and sewerage networks and treatment plants and investing in recreational facilities like parks, pools and sporting fields to maintain and enhance our region’s lifestyle.”

In addition to adopting its budget, the council also voted in favour of a new five-year Corporate Plan, which will guide how it delivers community services and infrastructure while protecting the region’s unique natural environment and lifestyle.

Mr Seymour said the Corporate Plan was the council’s main strategic planning and visionary document that was developed following extensive staff and community consultation over the past nine months.

“Our vision of building better communities together is the foundation stone of our new 2023-2028 Corporate Plan. It will underpin everything we do as a council, ensuring our region and its communities continue to flourish,” he said.

“We will work with council staff and the broader community to make sure we get it right, balancing our current needs with the needs of the future.”