2010/11 Budget - Mayor's message

The 2010-2011 Budget reinforces council’s commitment to long-term financial security for the region.

While there are immense challenges ahead, including our continuing establishment of regional local government and meeting the increasing demands of State Government legislation, TRC has laid solid foundations for our future.

Pivotal to our continuing regional prosperity will be a $10 million upgrade to the Toowoomba aerodrome and some major infrastructure spending ($58 million) on sewerage and wastewater projects.

Having achieved a very difficult and expensive milestone - water security - it is important to focus on planning for the future within the constraints of good financial management.

In 2009/10, council stood firm in its decision to increase water charges thereby retaining ownership of water assets and remaining outside the SEQ water grid.

Recent significant water price increases experienced in SEQ clearly justify council’s decision taken last year.

Council acknowledges the considerable contribution that ratepayers have made, and are continuing to make, in having a secure water supply.

In 2010/11, there has been no increase in water charges for properties connected to the Toowoomba bulk water supply and council has introduced a $30 rebate on the water access charge for eligible pensioners. This is in addition to our existing rebate of $95 for eligible pensioners.

Council, like all business operators, has to meet continually spiralling operational costs – including a projected 14% increase in electricity costs this financial year.

While combined council utility charges – cleansing, water and sewerage - have been kept to a minimum, it has been necessary to increase general rates by 8.5%.

However, the combined rates and charges impact on the bottom line of an average residential property is approximately 5.8%.

This is competitive with and in many cases, below, rate rises introduced by other comparable Queensland councils.

The 2010/11 Budget provides for essential capital works and maintenance programs and enhanced service levels while keeping us on track for a return to an operating budget surplus within four years.

This Budget is about keeping the council house in order at a time when restraint and a steady hand are needed.