Lismore’s big projects: Council set to spend $61 million

BUDGET issues - including rate increases, major projects and fees and charges - will be discussed at Lismore City Council's extraordinary meeting next week.

RATE increases, fees and charges, major projects and other aspects of Lismore City Council's budget will be discussed at an extraordinary meeting on Monday, May 9.

According to the council's report, the average urban residential property, general rates, waste, water and wastewater charges are expected to increase by $145.20, or 4.75%, to a total of about $3204 for 2016/17.

This assumes the special rate variation (SRV) for the Biodiversity Management Strategy is approved by IPART.

A total of $61.257 million in capital works are included in the 2016/17 Budget with the major projects being:

• Wastewater infrastructure: $24.67 million
• Road and associated infrastructure: $15.5 million
• Water infrastructure: $6.84 million
• Art gallery and quad project: $5.29 million
• Plant replacement program (excluding sales): $4.44 million
• Waste disposal - optical sorter: $992,100
• Lismore Regional Airport infrastructure improvements: $688,800
• Richmond Tweed Regional Library resources: $615,400
• Farming the Sun & REMP projects: $380,400
• Parks and recreation infrastructure: $222,500
• CCTV cameras in Lismore CBD: $182,800
• Lismore Memorial Gardens infrastructure: $30,000
• Street lighting: $67,800