Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Livingstone Shire adopts ‘responsible, measured’ $161m budget

Livingstone Shire Council has formally adopted its 2023-24 budget, which it says has a focus on ensuring the long-term financial stability and viability of the region, while keeping rate increases under CPI.

Mayor, Andy Ireland said the $161 million budget is focussed on leveraging strong economic growth, maintaining community assets, providing high level of service while considering the rising cost of living for families.

“Brisbane’s CPI is currently sitting at 7.4% and the entire Council team has worked hard to deliver a responsible and measured budget, keeping ratepayers at the forefront of our decision-making,” Mayor Ireland said.

“Despite the challenging economic environment, including a soaring consumer price index (CPI), we have managed to keep the average residential rate rise to 6.5% and the average commercial property and primary production rate rise to 4.5%. 99.86% of all rateable properties will pay an overall increase of 6% or less before the early payment discount applies.

“This equates to an average weekly increase of $6.57. It’s important to remember that this is an average only and that individual rates notices increases will vary depending on a property’s rating category as well as the land valuation, which is determined under the Land Valuation Act 2010.

“It is important to also note that 68% of all properties will pay an overall increase in rates between 4 – 6%. 71 rural properties will pay an overall increase in rates between 6 – 8%, and all other primary production properties will pay 6% or less.

He said increased inflation, soaring electricity costs, rising fuel costs, and building materials costs and supply had placed significant pressure on Council’s bottom line.

“When you consider Council uses around 10,000L of diesel every week, manage a 1,442km road network, manage the equivalent of 484 football fields in open spaces, and hundreds of kilometres of underground pipe across the Shire, these price hikes have an enormous impact.”

“The Shire has also experienced rapid population growth and we must invest in community infrastructure to meet the needs of our current and future communities.

“With 46 out of 77 local councils in Queensland at medium to high risk of becoming unviable, Livingstone has struck a fine balance in this budget in ensuring the Shire’s long-term financial stability and viability, while being keenly aware of the pressure on households and businesses.

“We understand the cost pressures each household is facing, and increasing rates is not a decision Council made lightly, but I assure everyone these decisions have been made after comprehensive discussions with the goal of providing the best outcome for our community, in the short term and long term,” the Mayor said.

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