2008-2009 Budget at a glance - Mayor's Message

Bringing our community together

When planning its first budget, the Toowoomba Regional Council considered many vital issues.

First and foremost, the 2008-2009 budget is about achieving a balanced approach as we progress from eight separate entities to a single regionally-focused entity. Our goal has been to utilise the financial management experience of the amalgamating Councils to maintain and improve existing infrastructure and deliver a consistently high standard of services to all residents across our region.         

The 2008-2009 budget is about moving on! We want to make sure Local Government continues to do what it has always done well – deliver quality services for present and future generations.

One thing not impacted by amalgamation is the serious water shortage. In this $290 million budget (including estimated carryovers), water is again a high priority. Funding of $1.2 million has been allocated to water demand management strategies aimed at encouraging the community to make small lifestyle changes that, collectively, will have a big influence on saving dwindling water supplies.

A critical component of this budget is the introduction of a brand new rating system designed to meet the needs of a large, diverse regional Local Government. Council’s Finance Branch worked with the councillors to test numerous options to find a suitable and workable model which simplifies administration while at the same time being equitable for all property owners. The selected model minimises inconsistencies and anomalies and provides the best outcome for Council and property owners. The full rating methodology will be phased in over three years to minimise the impact on individual ratepayers.  
While Council has needed to generate greater revenue to provide infrastructure, facilities and services for the benefit of all residents across a large region, it has also been keen to carefully manage any required rate rise. Council has managed to keep the rates rise at an affordable level and well within the range of rates rises introduced by other South-east Queensland councils. A rise of 7% in general rates revenue will enable Council to provide a consistent standard of infrastructure and services across the region. The fact that 90% per cent of rateable properties in the Toowoomba Regional Council area have experienced a rates rise of less than 10% is a great effort given the demands on Local Government, particularly across the 12,973 square kilometre area administered by the new Toowoomba Regional Council. Additionally, Council has increased pensioner discounts to $95 and, in some former shire areas, introduced a pensioner rates discount for the first time.                      

This is a balanced budget for residents of the Toowoomba region. This $290 million budget allows the new amalgamated Council to lay the foundations to enhance our future quality of life and facilitate the future prosperity of our region.            

 
Councillor Peter Taylor
MAYOR – TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL