More than $175 million in savings as Gold Coast ratepayers not hit with $625 extra bill
A council bigwig has said every ratepayer would be paying hundreds more on bills were it not for actions taken by the City. WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE PAID
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Gold Coast City Council has managed to clear about $175 million in savings which prevented a blow out of $625 each for ratepayers on their bills, business leaders have been told.
City CEO Tim Baker revealed the council’s budget tracking in an economic update address to the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Mantra on View in Surfers Paradise on Thursday.
The Gold Coast’s rate outcomes are in stark contrast to rivals in Sydney where councillors at a northern beaches council have caused outrage by voting to increase rates by 40 per cent.
“I am incredibly proud of how we have driven efficiency within the city administration,” Mr Baker told a packed convention room.
“This budget alone, we have achieved approximately $175 million in savings in operating costs. This is real cash savings, not just accounting adjustments.
“To put this into perspective, without these savings ratepayers would be paying an additional $625 per rateable property per year.”
The figures have been released on the eve of Friday’s full council meeting which will see a protest march by View Tax Action Group members to the Evandale Chambers.
Mr Baker in the past three years has spearheaded the largest restructure of the Coast’s second biggest workforce in decades. Councillors recently voted to extend his contact.
Mr Baker applauded Mayor Tom Tate and councillors for moving forward to create the new entities Invest Gold Coast, Experience Gold Coast and Brand Gold Coast.
He said Invest Gold Coast was projected to have the potential to bring a $1 billion uplift in economic activity annually, as well as create 15,000 new jobs a year. Experience Gold Coast would result in $7 million in annual savings.
“These changes allow the City to focus on its core services while leveraging specialised knowledge,” Mr Baker.
Invest Gold Coast boss Will Hodgman, the former Tasmania Premier, revealed it would have a separate location to council - there was an opportunity to “reset” the brand on how people perceive the city as a place to do business.
He said the council had recognised the Gold Coast was a maturing city with enormous opportunity and wanted an independent board to provide advice.
“It will provide greater agility, transparency, and accountability to the council to make ultimate decisions on investment. They will be advised by Invest Gold Coast and our board as what would be a good approach to take and investment. It will ultimately be their call,” he said.
Experience Gold Coast chair Rob Borbidge said the three entities would work closely together and council.
“We will all make sure we are heading in the same direction,” he said.
Brand Gold Coast deputy chairperson Leanne White said her group would undertake deep consultation across the next 12 months, surveying a range of Gold Coasters, as it plans a singular brand for the City.
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Originally published as More than $175 million in savings as Gold Coast ratepayers not hit with $625 extra bill
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