Urban residential ratepayers will have an annual increase in their rates of close to $130, or 4 per cent, after Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) adopted its 2023-24 Budget last week.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said Council’s $651 million financial plan would maintain and upgrade existing services and facilities while planning for a brighter future for current and successive generations.

“The Budget, which is the largest adopted by Council, reflects the priorities outlined in the Operational Plan (for the 2023-24 financial year) and Council’s Corporate Plan (2019- 2024, which is being updated),” Mayor Antonio said. “Council remains committed to implementing a responsible and calculated financial approach in its Budget planning and delivery.

“We have a responsibility to plan for maintenance and upgrades to our existing infrastructure to guarantee the long-term viability of essential services to residents.

“Fortunately, Council’s solid financial footing has allowed us to develop a $201m capital program along with an operating Budget component of $450m.”

Mayor Antonio said a capital allocation of $109.08 million for asset renewal upholds Council’s legal and moral obligation to maintain its existing infrastructure and ability to manage its $5.6 billion asset base across 13,000km2.

Rates

There is a 4 per cent increase to the general rate (net overall increase in rates and charges of 3.81 per cent for an urban residential property).

The majority of urban residential ratepayers will have an increase of $129.23 a year, or $2.49 a week, after discount, which includes all rates and charges, including water and wastewater charges.

In all four previous financial years, rates were increased by 2.5 per cent and 3 per cent in the four years beforehand.

This is the highest increase since 2014-15, when rates went up 4.06 per cent.

Water & waste

Finance & Business Strategy Committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said the average charge for residents connected to the Bulk Water Supply will rise by 3 per cent and those not connected to this system will rise by 8 per cent.

“In this budget, Council will continue its pricing path for water infrastructure and consumption fees,” Cr McDonald said.

“This has come following an independent review that identified opportunities to tidy up some inconsistencies in water pricing across our water schemes.”

For the continued roll out of Smart Water Meters across the region, $8 million has been committed.

Preliminary works for the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline, including investigations into a Greenmount and Southern water treatment plant, have a commitment of $3 million.

Greenmount tip

The upgrade of the Greenmount Waste Management Facility continues, with $4.5m committed for 2023-24.

The design of the new facility will be a smaller version of the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility on O’Mara Road, Wellcamp.

It will have similar waste management functions and opportunities to maximise diversion from landfill.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in June 2026.

Parks

TRC Environment & Community Committee portfolio leader Tim McMahon said this year community consultation and preliminary design works will begin for Lucy Street Park in Cambooya.

Federation Park at Vale View will be among eight parks to share $1.3 million in funding for the replacement of existing buildings.

Roads

Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Carol Taylor said $1.9 million has been allocated to Newman Road at Wyreema between Cashmore Street and Smith’s Creek for rehabilitation works, including a culvert upgrade, and Preston Boundary Road at Preston will receive rehabilitation works of $500,000.

“As part of our asset renewal, Council has committed $14.2 million to rehabilitating and resealing the sealed road network, gravel resheeting and renewing asphalt surfaces across the Toowoomba Region,” Cr Taylor said.

Barwick Street in Westbrook will get a new footpath, while design work also will be undertaken for future footpaths in Wyreema.

Where the $651 million goes

• roads, footpaths, bikeways and drainage – $170.65 million
• town water – $131.35 million
• business, strategy and operations – $69.99 million
• community services and facilities – $59.19 million
• parks and recreation – $52.27 million
• wastewater – $38.29 million
• waste services – $32.13 million
• planning and development – $15.87 million.

Going into the 2023-24 financial year, Council is forecasting an operating surplus of $1.1 million.

The Queensland Treasury Corporation has maintained Council’s credit rating as Sound with a Neutral Outlook.

For full details of the Budget, visit tr.qld.gov.au/budget

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 15 June 2023.