Gympie council reveals where $111m in budget spending will go
Gympie’s mayor has defended his council’s decision to raise rates in this year’s budget, which promises to deliver a staggering $111 million capital works program in the aftermath of the 2022 floods.
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Mayor Glen Hartwig has defended Gympie council’s decision to raise general rates by an average of 5.5 per cent amid promises to spend more than $100 million across the region.
More than $50 million of State Government funded flood repairs has formed a major part of the “biggest” council budget ever, with the organisation unveiling a monster $234.35 million package on Tuesday.
Speaking after Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Hartwig said the 5.5 per cent rate rise this year was needed to keep the council running.
“No-one likes paying taxes and no-one likes paying rates, but it’s a part of ensuring that we deliver services to our community,” Mr Hartwig said.
He said the council’s rise was not as high as had been handed down by some other Queensland councils.
Those who had delivered smaller increases, including 3.65 per cent at the South Burnett and a total freeze of 0 per cent at Bundaberg. were only delaying the inevitable pain.
“Those lower rate rises, particularly in times of higher inflation, are not in line with this council’s decision to be financially prudent,” Mr Hartwig said.
“You can’t catch up a 7 per cent inflation … if you don’t deal with that year on, year out, it compounds.
“Areas may have received a lower rate rise (but) you’ve just put off the pain, you’ve kicked the can down the road.
“If this council would have done that to our region I would honestly have to say to ratepayers there would be a large rate rise coming in the near future.”
The mammoth flood repair package was joined by several other multimillion-dollar works on the 2023-24 capital works list.
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Other spends included $4.7 million to expand the Southside sewerage scheme, $4 million to upgrade the electrical and technical facilities at the Civic Centre, and $2 million to upgrade the underpass intersection of Tozer St, Station Rd, Chapple St and Lady Mary Tce near the Rattler.
The council will spend more than $17.9 million on roads on top of the monster repair package, which is being carried out through funding from the State Government’s recovery authority.
Another $3 million is included for voluntary buybacks of properties under the state government-initiated program launched after the 2022 floods.
More than $5.8 million is being spent on parks and sports facilities across the region.
Waste and water infrastructure will receive another $27 million financial injection.
Smaller projects include a $120,000 for an off-leash dog park at Tin Can Bay, and a $30,000 access ramp is being installed at Cedar Pocket Hall.
Kandanga Hall and the town’s rural fire services are getting a $138,500 investment to improve parking and emergency access.
East Deep Creek Rd and North Deep Creek Rd will be widened at a combined cost of more than $1.5 million.
The council said in its released documents the organisation’s costs for its staff and services have risen $11.85 million.
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Splitting from the Mary Valley Rattler had mitigated this, with depreciation costs for the council dropping by $5.71 million now that the controversial heritage train was off the council’s books.
The $180 pensioner rebate on rates bills remains in the budget.
The rates increase is not expected to keep the council in the black though.
It is forecast to report two operational losses, with expenditure expected to outstrip income by $5.62 million in 2023-24, and $4 million in 2024-25.
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