Financial and Sporting Services - Budget

Toowoomba Regional Council’s second budget reflects efforts to create consistency and equity in council’s fiscal management.

Financial and Sporting Services portfolio leader Cr Mike Williams said we have now moved to a unified financial system across the region and this will produce huge benefits in our ability to collate and present information.

“We have also continued to refine the rating system. This year we have introduced a new rating category for poultry and have refined the extractive industry and noxious industry categories to create a fairer system.

“In addition, we have adjusted the minimum general rate to benchmark against other similar regions and to reflect the true cost of delivering basic services.”

Cr Williams said the average ratepayer could expect an increase in general rates of approximately seven percent.

“We are now reaping the rewards of initiating a regional rating system. While we are still experiencing some pain in aligning the region and bringing the rate in the dollar together for similar categories, this process is nearly complete.

“It is about equity in providing the same rates for the same type of rateable property. For example, if you are a small rural holding, you should be paying the same rate in the dollar whether you live at Crows Nest or Cecil Plains.

“However, we will still see some implications of valuation increases which were averaged over three years.

“This will lead to some larger rate increases where valuations had not been increased for some years. However, after this rating term everyone will be on the same timing of valuations.”

Council has introduced changes to the way ratepayers will be billed for their general and water rates. All general rate notices will be sent out in mid-August while water rate notices will be sent out to all ratepayers in mid-November.

Cr Williams said the water access charge would now be included in the water rate notices instead of being on the general rates notice.

“This billing method spreads the financial burden on ratepayers more evenly across the year and more accurately reflects the cost of providing a water supply to consumers.

“Water, like electricity, gas or refuse collection, is a utility and this change in billing reflects that logic.”

Cr Williams said the region’s pensioners would continue to receive the rebate this financial year at a cost to council of $1.01million.

“Eligible pensioners will receive a flat $95 rate rebate in addition to the State Government rebate of up to $180.

“For the former Pittsworth Shire pensioners receiving a $180 rebate, this will continue.

“This financial year we will finally see a $2.6million project come to fruition with the building of a world-class tennis facility at the University of Southern Queensland.

“The project will see the building of 12 international Tennis Federation standard courts. Funding for the project has also been sourced from council ($300,000) the Queensland Government ($1.37m), Tennis Queensland ($301,000), Toowoomba Tennis Association ($100,000) and USQ ($600,000 via a grant from the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations).

“Council has also embarked on a regional strategic sport and recreation plan costing $180,000 of which $40,000 is being contributed by the State Government.

“This plan will involve an audit of sport and recreation facilities around the region and identify gaps in infrastructure. It is aimed at better utilising these facilities and a better coordination of sports programs,” Cr Williams said.

“$85,000 has been earmarked for new gym equipment at Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre and Highfields Sport and Fitness.

“Council has allocated $60,000 to upgrade the tennis court surface at Millmerran while at Oakey, residents will have access to a new half basketball court in Rotary Park thanks to a $30,000 commitment in this budget,” Cr Williams said.