Banana Shire Council releases budget for 2023/24

In trend with other local government areas including Gladstone, Isaac and Livingstone, residents living in the Banana Shire Council area will see a rise in rates for the next financial year.  

Banana Shire Council handed down its budget this week. Photo: Lachlan Berlin

A waterpark in Biloela and a museum in Moura are two big ticket items on the books for Banana Shire Council in the year ahead, as it adopts a $120 million operating budget this financial year.

The 2023/24 budget was handed down at a special council meeting earlier this week, with BSC projecting an operating surplus around $3 million and residents hit with an average four per cent rate rise - sitting below the state’s seven per cent CPI.

Following significant flood damage to the region that occurred in late 2021, this financial year’s budget will include $10 million worth of repairs as part of a $60 million funding initiative from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Of the employment required for the work, more than half will be completed through local contractors.

The rate rises are comparable with the previous two financial years, when they rose by three to four percent for most ratepayers.

This budget also provides for a large capital works program, with a total spend of $48.72 million, about half of which will be funded by external sources.

Major works delivered

Deearne Road – Gravel Resheeting: $1,695,106

Shire Urban Reseal: $1,135,145

Three Chain Road Reconstruction: $1,084,792

Defence Road – Gravel Resheeting: $574,196

Moura Pool Amenities & Shade Sail Upgrades: $524,533

Biloela Treatment Plant Electrical Renewal: $519,538

Water Treatment Plant Existing Clarifier Replacement: $483,391

Shire Rural Reseals: $457,144

Lawrence Street Footpath: $439,011

The Bend Road-Dawson River: $271,720

Major projects in this budget

Moura Library/Museum: $7,300,000

Banana Shire Waste Management Facility: $5,401,000

Cracow Road Upgrade: $4,078,000

Biloela Waterpark: $2,973,000

Injune Road Upgrade: $2,529,000

Theodore Heavy Vehicle Bypass: $2,130,000

Orange Creek Road Rehabilitation: $1,801,000

Harsants Road Gravel Resheeting: $1,400,000

Deanne Road Gravel Resheeting: $1,011,000

Rate rises in neighbouring councils this year

Isaac Regional Council: 4 per cent

Central Highlands Regional Council: 3 per cent

Mackay Regional Council: 3.8 per cent

Bundaberg Regional Council: 0 per cent

Livingstone Shire Council: 6.5 per cent

Originally published as Banana Shire Council releases budget for 2023/24