Gold Coast Council budget 2022: Everything you need to know
Millions of dollars have been invested in reviving the Gold Coast’s $6bn golden goose. This is what businesses can expect from the budget.
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Tourism leaders have been given a record $55m to lead the city out of its Covid-19 hangover.
But it comes with a warning to deliver.
Destination Gold Coast ($16.5m), Major Events Gold Coast ($12m), Study Gold Coast ($3m) and the film and sports sectors ($2.9m) will receive a lion’s share of the money to bring visitors back to the city after almost two years of isolation.
Destination Gold Coast and Major Events Gold Coast had funding withheld during the pandemic.
Speaking at Tuesday’s budget session, council planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said the money was to be targeted at boosting the economy through tourism and events, both major revenue sources pre-Covid.
“Destination Gold Coast did a lot of back-of-house work during Covid and they are a primed organisation ready to fire,” he said.
“The money, which has been given to them on behalf of ratepayers, we have every confidence will be well-spent.
“We want people to come to our city, we want them to visit more often, stay more often, spend more money and Destination Gold Coast is well-placed to invest this money on behalf of ratepayers to ensure the economy is firing.”
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the money was “music to the ears” of the industry and the marketing organisation had big plans for the next year.
“The inclusion of $1m aviation funding is critical to the Gold Coast’s bid to re-establish and attract new routes to the Gold Coast, and gives our city a competitive edge in unlocking the state government’s Attracting Aviation Fund,” she said.
“The hard work has only just begun, but we are already starting to see green shoots domestically and internationally as borders continue to open and travel becomes easier and the Gold Coast will be working hard to win back every tourist.
“We are not wasting a second. We are coming out of the blocks strongly to win back market share for the Gold Coast and our new Play the Day Away campaign is active in our interstate markets as we work hard with our industry to reactivate our international markets as restrictions ease.”
The city’s tourism industry lost more than $6bn during the first two years of the pandemic while international and domestic borders were closed.
International borders reopened in February while the state government unveiled a $200m international aviation fund – stumping up $100m matched by four Queensland airports including the Gold Coast – to lure more flights and airlines back to Australia.
Ms O’Callaghan said talks had been ongoing for months with overseas locations and a fresh charm offensive was just weeks away from beginning.
“We have already been meeting with our travel trade partners in market in Singapore, are currently in New Zealand with plans for Korea and Japan in the coming weeks and will also be supporting the Mayor’s UK delegation to ensure we are top-of-mind.
“These funds give us the confidence to continue investing in our strategies and activities for our industry to ensure the Gold Coast remains Australia’s premier holiday destination.”
How much Gold Coast rates bills are going up
Homeowners will have to fork out on average an extra $3.10 a week for rates when the council announces its 2022-23 budget.
The 4.3 per cent increase is the largest in Mayor Tom Tate’s 11 budgets but it keeps to his promise of delivering the average rate increase at or around the cost of living.
The 2022-23 budget was unanimously backed by councillors just after 9am today at a meeting at the Evandale Chambers.
Inflation increased 5.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2022, headed by surging petrol and grocery prices.
Cr Tate told the Bulletin: “This is the 11th consecutive year where our council has kept the average rate increase at or below CPI.
“Shaping this budget was the toughest in my 10 years as mayor. Like small businesses and families, our City budget has been impacted by rising costs in materials and supply shortages.
“Set against this backdrop, all councillors have worked tirelessly to find the savings needed to keep our average rate increase below CPI.
“The last decade has seen CPI nationally remain low and we have pegged our annual rate increase accordingly. In 2022-23, CPI has spiked but we remain below CPI and that is positive news.
“We owe it to the small business community and every ratepayer to continue to deliver the services they expect, at a price they can afford.”
Key initiatives adopted by council for 2022-23 include:
* Palm Beach Aquatic Centre – $21m in 2022-23 budget ($70m overall project);
* Cash contribution towards light rail Stage 3 – $10m;
* Major EventsGC – $11.9m; DestinationGC – $16.5m; StudyGC – $3m.
“Our focus in 2022-23 will be on frontline services including improving the safety of our community and delivering greater sustainability in all our programs and projects,” Mr Tate said.
Water services and charges will rise by 3 per cent for an average household using 180kl/annum.
At least $400m is expected to be spent through local businesses, via the City Procurement Policy.
“Spending local is about creating jobs. I want to see as many Gold Coasters as possible employed and enjoying the lifestyle that is the envy of every other city in Australia,’’ the Mayor said.
The City’s debt will be $697m in 2022-23, $111m below its peak of $808m in July 2012.
The City will tip in $19.5m to HOTA.
“Like our libraries, pools and community centres, HOTA is a City asset and it will take time to achieve a commercial return for ratepayers,’’ Mr Tate said.
“I trust the community sees the broader benefit in HOTA as an arts and cultural precinct. It is our cultural heartland and it attracts tourists – both day visitors and overnight stays.
“Long term, I am confident the new board will drive greater efficiencies now the challenges of Covid are behind us. This year (2022-23) we will also fund our libraries to the tune of $29.9m.’’
First look: Gold Coast’s giant new parklands revealed
Construction will begin in the next financial year on the Gold Coast’s answer to New York City’s Central Park – with or without federal government funding.
The Gold Coast City Council will commit $22m over a two-year period toward beginning Stage 1 of the 220ha GreenHeart parklands between Robina and Merrimac in Tuesday’s budget.
Pleas from city leaders to the former Morrison Government to help fund the parklands, and other key transport projects including the light rail extension, fell on deaf ears earlier this year.
But with construction set to take a decade and the 2032 Olympic Games that far away, Mayor Tom Tate said there was no time to waste.
He insisted the council would begin construction after Christmas.
“The phrase ‘shovel ready’ was coined and right now the Gold Coast has projects like that in spades,” he said.
“This will be a signature parkland for the entire southeast Queensland region. It is a 220ha parcel of land that will take a decade to fully develop but will add incredible community space between Robina and Merrimac.
“The space will feature sporting fields, nature experiences and event sites for large outdoor concerts. In every way, this will be a huge asset for the entire SEQ region given its proximity to heavy rail and the M1.’’
The first section to be completed will be the Robina City Parklands next to Cbus Super Stadium which will feature two giant adventure play areas and an events lawn.
GreenHeart will be six-times the size of the Southport Broadwater Parklands and rival Sydney’s Centennial Parklands. Once completed it will feature up to 15 sporting fields for codes such as Aussie rules, rugby league and soccer; a space that can host major events and festivals for more than 25,000 people; and wetlands.
Area councillor Hermann Vorster said the project would help transform Robina.
“While this park will be at the heart of Robina, the truth is it will be a destination for the whole Gold Coast and will be right on the doorstep of the Pacific Motorway and heavy rail,” he said.
“This means most Gold Coasters will be mere minutes away from enjoying spectacular playgrounds, a new waterplay area and natural outlooks.
“This will be transformative for the way families enjoy game day in our stadium precinct and they will be able to come and cheer on the Titans for 80 minutes while enjoying a free quality day out with friends and family right next door.”
Tuesday’s $2bn 2022-23 budget will by Cr Tate’s 11th and is set to focus on cost of living issues.
It is expected to deliver a rates rise of at least 4 per cent, while still being below inflation.
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