Strelow promises surplus as she hands down council budget

MAYOR Margaret Strelow yesterday vowed her budget would achieve a surplus while delivering a residential rate rise half that advised.

MAYOR Margaret Strelow yesterday channelled Sir Winston Churchill as she vowed her budget would achieve a surplus while delivering a residential rate rise half that advised.

But conquering that surplus for Rockhampton Regional Council hasn't been without its casualties.

Rocky residential ratepayers will have to find an extra $195, or 8%, in the financial year.

Increased property values for Gracemere and Mount Morgan has done ratepayers no favours.

Gracemere will receive a 9.55%, or $235 increase, and Mount Morgan will receive an 8.35%, or $182 increase.

Owner-occupiers will get a 2.5% concession and pensioners a $50 increase on their current rebate.

Landlords will cop an average 26% general rate rise, while commercial businesses face a 10% rise.

Cr Strelow admitted Rockhampton had a tight budget intended to set council into a holding pattern, but said it also could have been worse.

She said the Queensland Treasury proposed a 16% rate rise to keep council from running out of cash in two years.

Without the whopping increase to rental properties, Cr Strelow said all residential ratepayers in Rockhampton Regional Council would receive a 10.5% increase.

Mayor Margaret Strelow yesterday vowed her budget would achieve a surplus while delivering a residential rate rise half that advised.

Meanwhile, Livingstone ratepayers will receive a 4.3% increase in line with the QTC's suggestion.

Next year's councillors of the splitting Livingstone shire will review the six-month "caretaker budget" at the beginning of next year, with the potential for a further rate rise if legislation is changed.

Cr Strelow said without de-amalgamation, the entire region would have had a 4.3% rate rise.

But after millions of dollars in budget cuts and reduced programs, she said Rockhampton was no longer in a "dire financial situation".

"Sir Winston Churchill tells us that 'kites rise highest against the wind, not with it'," Cr Strelow said.

"And Rockhampton region will do so."

Rockhampton Regional Council residential rates for the 2013-14 budget. Picture: Contributed

Originally published as Strelow promises surplus as she hands down council budget