Feedback from the Scenic Rim community has contributed to the development of Council’s landmark $112.17 million 2023-2024 Budget.
Adopted at a Special Meeting, the budget represents a milestone in Council’s ongoing journey towards becoming a more customer-focused organisation that values and responds to community feedback.
Of the more than 50 individual submissions received by Council during the budget community engagement process, 15 sought consideration for capital investment in new or upgraded sporting and recreational infrastructure.
The development of a Sports and Recreation Plan and a Sports Infrastructure Review, which will provide an audit of facilities and their use, will help Council to ensure facilities are maintained and meet the region’s growing sporting and recreational needs.
“In response to calls from the community for an extension to the swimming season at Council’s public pools, a report will be prepared outlining what will need to be taken into account in considering any changes to the current arrangements,” Mayor Christensen said.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the budget was Scenic Rim’s first to be developed with direct input from the community, identifying ratepayers’ priorities that have informed Council’s planning for 2023-2024 and into the future.
“Council’s 2023-2024 Budget has been framed in the context of a number of challenges for our region,” he said.
Rates to increase
Aware of the current economic impacts on businesses and households, Council has worked to minimise its increases in the General Rates and Community Infrastructure Charge.
Although the overall rates revenue increase will be 7.9 per cent, rates for 65 per cent of residential principal places of residence will see an increase, in line with the current Consumer Price Index, of 7.4 per cent or less.
Rates for typical residential principal place of residence properties on the minimum general rate, with a valuation of less than $228,845, will increase by $81 in 2023-2024 to $1244. Combined with the $50 rise in the community infrastructure charge, the total increase will be $131, to $1794, equating to a $2.52 a week increase.
Rates for typical rural principal place of residence properties, on the minimum general rate, and which have a valuation of less than $314,222, will increase by $91 in 2023-2024 to $1381. With the $50 rise in the community infrastructure charge, the total increase will be $141, to $1931, equating to a $2.71 a week increase.
