Brisbane Mayor welcomes latest financial report card

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner says the organisation’s latest financial review confirms it has maintained a balanced budget while delivering even better services in the city’s suburbs.

Lord Mayor Schrinner said keeping costs down for Brisbane residents while delivering better services were key priorities for the Council.

“Brisbane residents will continue to pay the lowest rates in south east Queensland despite the city currently experiencing the nation’s highest inflation rate,” he said.

The Mid-Year Budget Review and Quarterly Financial Report revealed the Council is:

• Maintaining an operating surplus as a buffer against unexpected cost increases;
• Keeping spending under control with an almost $11.2 million decrease in expenditure since the June 18 Budget;
• Net debt on track to reduce by a further $114 million to $3.43 billion (below the $4 billion budget);
• Ongoing strong financial management and the completion of major projects has helped reduce spending on Materials and Services by $370,000.

Council says the financial highlights detailed in the reports come as it continues to deliver improved services in Brisbane’s suburbs, including:

• Increased bus patronage by 27% following the introduction of Brisbane’s New Bus Network and the Brisbane Metro bus rapid transit system, in conjunction with 50 cent fares;
• A $4 million increase in footpath maintenance;
• An almost 20% increase in asphalt laid for road resurfacing;
• Completed 2900 extra tree jobs compared to the same time last year.
• Enhanced kerb and channel weed control (major roads have increased from 5 to 6 sprays a year and minor roads from 4 to 5 sprays);
• Increased mowing services in cemeteries from 18 to 26 cuts for general cemeteries and 32 cuts for special high-profile cemeteries;
• Increased general mowing with an additional 3,805 hectares of grass cut;
• Attracted more than 66,000 customers to new secure online Council account;
• Sprayed an additional 9,716 mosquito breeding sites;
• Increased immunisation clinic hours from 80 to 108.5 hours per four weeks (26.25% increase);
• Expanded library-based clinics from 10 clinics (60 hrs) to 13 clinics (99 hrs) per month;
• More than doubled summer reading program participation (from 2,511 participants to 6,050);
• Expanded Library Lovers’ Day event with city-wide activities;
• Rolled out 150,000 new green bins and city-wide green bin service;
• Increase development applications by 6% to date this financial year following More Homes, Sooner amendments;
• An additional 6,160 guests attending the Lord Mayor’s City Hall concerts.

“At a time of high inflation and rising costs, our priority is simple: spend within our means to help households avoid unnecessary costs now and in the future,” said the Lord Mayor.

“Driving down debt is the responsible thing to do to make sure we have capacity for the future.

“Our mid-year budget demonstrates you can keep rates low while continuing to invest in better transport, improve our lifestyle and improve the services people rely on every day.

“Big spending promises sound easy in opposition, but they would deliver massive rate hikes for Brisbane families.

“Our city remains in a strong financial position because we strike the right balance between keeping costs down and keeping Brisbane moving,” he said.