7 June 2023
Southern Downs Regional Council’s 2023/24 Draft Budget proposes a targeted ten-year strategy to address critical aging infrastructure with a record-breaking capital works program of $79.6M and continues to support grassroots cultural and environmental initiatives through a $910K Community Grants Program.
With a steady commitment to securing the liveability of the region for current and future generations, the draft budget is now available for public review and engagement.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said the process to prepare the 2023/24 Draft Budget had been meticulous and Council had taken a responsible approach to tackle important infrastructure issues and minimise the financial impacts of an inevitable rate rise amid a cost of living crisis.
“The 2023/24 Draft Budget is a bold step forward at a time when regional communities with small rate payer bases are hit hardest by global economic pressures and we need to make decisions now that will ensure delivery of essential services to future generations,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“Although the number crunching has been intense and every cent has been scrutinised, Council has a responsibility to deliver services to the community and to do so in the most equitable way.
“The cold, hard fact is we can no longer ignore the region’s aging infrastructure. Previous budgets have focused on delivering a surplus, but that came at a cost to infrastructure maintenance.
“This Council has the courage to propose responsible long-term financial strategies that will deliver a significant works program over the next ten years. This will include responsible borrowings on infrastructure that provides a rate of return to Council. Initial conversations with other levels of government are ongoing on how we might meet the short fall.
“In the last financial year, Council crews delivered a massive $22M program of works across the region’s extensive road network which included remediation to infrastructure damaged through three consecutive flood events. This is an extraordinary body of work for a Council of our size and I thank the community for its patience, as well as our crews who will be steering these projects and more to fruition in 2023/24.
“This Council has also made significant decisions that have progressed a number of key projects for the region including the Stanthorpe Library and Art Gallery redevelopment, the Warwick Saleyards redevelopment, important tourism infrastructure such as the Warwick Dragstrip and expanding access to recycled water for a number of sporting clubs.
“Water security remains firmly in our sights and with the proposed Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline closer to being realised, steps must be taken now to cement the pricing structure for water that promotes water conservation. We are also excited to rollout smart meter technology across the entire region following the successful installations in Stanthorpe and progress remediation works at the Connolly Dam reservoir.
“In an effort to smooth the impact of recent land valuations by the Valuer General, Council has reviewed the rate in the dollar for each rating category to ensure the total general rates increase has been kept to approximately 5.15%, with the overall proposed rise in rates and fees and charges kept in line with the current CPI.
“At its core, the funding model of local government needs to be reviewed. This Council will continue to lobby all levels of government through open and transparent dialogue around how the funding model can facilitate downward pressure on ratepayers.
“Under extraordinary circumstances, Council officers have managed to maintain service levels to the standard the community reasonably expects. Council employs more than three hundred staff who are locals like you and proud to represent your Council, and I thank them for their commitment to our community.”
Draft Capital Works budget breakdown
• $33.8M on roads, bridges, drainage, kerb and channel, shoulder sealing, and bus stops
• $12M on water infrastructure
• $2.9M on waste infrastructure
• $8.5M on improving the wastewater network
• $21M on community, sport, cultural and tourism projects
• $1M on staff housing, land development and IT
The 2023-24 Draft Budget can be downloaded for review and comment below, and hard copies are available at Council’s Administration Buildings and Libraries. Feedback can also be emailed to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.
The consultation period details are:
Open: 8.00 am Thursday 8 June 2023
Close: 5.00 pm Thursday 22 June 2023
Following the public consultation period, Council will review submissions at an Information Session on 28 June 2023 prior to adopting the budget on Wednesday 12 July 2023.
2023-24 Budget Snapshot Fact Sheets (PDF 3MB)
2023-24 Draft Budget - Fees and Charges (PDF 1.9MB)
2023-24 Draft Budget – Long Term Financial Statements (PDF 906.9KB)
2023-24 Draft Budget - Proposed Capital Budget Master_2 (PDF 748.5KB)
2023-24 Draft Budget – Revenue Statement (PDF 1.5MB)
2023-24 Draft Budget – Debt Policy (PDF 787.7KB)
2023-24 Draft Budget Feedback Form (PDF 801KB)
Last edited date 13 Jul 2023