Scenic Rim Regional Council has handed down its 2026-27 budget, with a four-three split vote deciding the adoption of a 5.8 per cent average general rate rise.
A council spokesperson confirmed the average overall increase of rates and charges (infrastructure, waste, environmental and State charges for RFS and EML) is between eight to eleven per cent for a principal place of residence.
Councillors Jennifer Sanders, Kerri Cryer, Marshall Chalk and Duncan McInnes voted in favour of the budget with Amanda Hay, Stephen Moriarty and Mayor Tom Sharp against.
Households will feel the pinch once the increases come through, with Mayor Sharp citing council’s $94.7 million capital works program as a major reason for the increase.
The capital works program is partially funded from $49 million in State and Federal grants, however $27 million will be funded through general revenue this financial year.
Speaking against the budget, Mayor Sharp questioned whether the program is feasible.
“I would say that it is highly at risk that it will not be delivered,” he said.
“So, it is not common sense to ask the ratepayer to pay more for something they are not going to get.”
Several capital works projects have run over budget recently, including Gallery Walk car park and Hinchcliffe Bridge, Kooralbyn.
Cr Cryer said it was a budget with a longer-term view.
“As Councillors, we are charged with the vitally important fiscal responsibility of making decisions that enhance the lifestyle of our communities while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our region,” she said.
“The rate for this budget has been determined to be the best possible given our current circumstances, to meet the challenges at hand, while delivering our much-needed services as well as build and maintain our infrastructure well into our Scenic Rim’s future.”
However, Cr Amanda Hay expressed disappointment about a number of issues, including the lack of community consultation.
Footpaths featured strongly at a recent community budget information session and Cr Hay said it was unfortunate that there is a small allocation for this in the budget.
There is $814,000 for new footpaths and $350,000 for rehabilitation,
“That would be great if that amount was allocated for each of the six divisions,” she said.
She also stated that the disparity between the cost of infrastructure for developments and developer infrastructure contributions mean that the ratepayers are subsidising the creation of new lots.
“This is a burden our ratepayers should not have to meet,” she said.
If implemented, minor changes to the planning scheme would also save council money on costly Planning and Environment court appeals that .
“It is disappointing that developers see our planning merely a suggestion rather than the embodiment of community expectations.”
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