Southern Downs Regional Council committed to keeping rates low in 2024/25 financial year

Southern Downs mayor Melissa Hamilton has confirmed council’s commitment to prioritising responsible financial management as they release the 2024/25 budget.

Southern Downs Regional Council’s 2024/25 budget has a “back to basics approach” focusing on cost-effective delivery of core services, council said.

With cost of living pressures front of mind, council concentrated its budget on keeping rates as low as possible while introducing a fairer and more equitable rating system Mayor Melissa Hamilton said.

In handing down the first budget of the new council term, Ms Hamilton confirmed council’s commitment to prioritising responsible financial management while endeavouring to keep rates as low as possible.

“There will be no increase in the base residential general minimum rate,” Ms Hamilton said.

Mayor Melissa Hamilton (Photo: Michael Hudson)

“Following submissions and given the cost of living issues being faced by many residents, we made changes to the draft budget to ensure that the maximum increase in residential general rates is 5 per cent, with a third of ratepayers having no increase this year.”

The rate restructure is designed to provide a fairer and more equitable distribution of the rate burden across the community.

Furthermore, council will provide a 7.5 per cent discount on rates for early payment, where ratepayers can pay within 31 days of notice in order to ensure they receive the discount.

“Cost increases are being felt right across the community, and council is no exception. The increased cost to council of delivering services is estimated at 3.9 per cent this year, and the CPI increase is 3.4 per cent,” Ms Hamilton said.

“Against this financial backdrop, we’ve worked hard to keep the average overall increase in general rates to 2.4 per cent while ensuring that Council remains financially sustainable.

“The planning for the next budget starts today.”

The mayor also said going forward council wanted “greater involvement and participation from the community” in order to find the highest priority issues to respond to.

Council has also made a “significant” allocation of funds at more than $1m solely for local community groups and initiative through grants.

Water security and infrastructure upgrades also remain a “key focus” for council in the budget.

KEY FIGURES OF 24/25 BUDGET:

• Community Support: $1.4m

• Operational Expenditure: $99.9m

• Capital Expenditure: $48.7m

BREAKDOWN:

The SDRC 2024/25 Budget goes back to basics with a more equitable rating system (Photo: SDRC)

• Community grants $1.4m: An allocation of $1.4m has been dedicated to community grants, supporting local groups, projects and initiatives that are a vital part of the Southern Downs community.

• Water security $17.7m: Infrastructure upgrades remain a key focus in the budget. The funding has been allocated towards the continued rollout of the smart water meter project, the Drought Resilience Program, Stanthorpe sewerage pump station upgrades and Morgan Park’s pump station and rising main.

Water security is a major concern for the council, although dam levels remain positive, the issue of security has “not strayed far from council’s focus”.

The price increases in the 2024/25 budget ensure that water is now a user pays service with full cost recovery through water utility charges.

This will assist in maintaining long term sustainability of the infrastructure and of our community, council says.

• Landfill upgrade $6.1m: Council has to plan ahead, with a provision for a new landfill cell for Warwick.

• Road rehabilitation and maintenance $12.4m: With a vast 3000km road network, road infrastructure continues to be one of the largest expenses in council’s budget. This year council has budgeted more than $10m for continued improvements and rehabilitation works.

• Warwick Saleyards upgrade stage 3, 4 $1.3m: Council remains committed to the Warwick Saleyards redevelopment which supports the region’s biggest industry, and has allocated more than a $1m to improve the facility’s workplace health and safety standards, animal welfare standards and to complete Stage 3 and 4.

• Operational budget $99.9m: Council will focus on the cost-effective delivery of essential services, maintaining public amenities and supporting community wellbeing.

• Capital expenditure $48.7m: this funding will be invested in key infrastructure projects such as roads, parks and recreational facilities, to “ensure the region’s long-term sustainability and growth.”

The 2024/25 Budget is available online here and hard copies are available at Council’s Administration Buildings and Libraries.

Originally published as Southern Downs Regional Council committed to keeping rates low in 2024/25 financial year