Thank you everyone, it is my pleasure to officially present the 2024-25 Western Downs Regional Council Budget - my first as Mayor.
I'm proud to stand with my fellow Councillors to deliver a clear vision for the year ahead - a plan that allows us to continue to deliver great liveability, quality infrastructure and improved services for our region.
Thanks to years of responsible financial management by previous Councils, we continue to be one of the few debt-free Local Governments in Queensland.
The hard work we have done over recent years to build a strong financial position means we can deliver essential new infrastructure, significant capital projects and exciting community funding programs to improve life and liveability on the Western Downs.
Council has the vital role in supporting our growing communities while carefully aligning its budget with high-quality service delivery, good management of assets and balancing the cost of national supply shortages and rising costs.
We are also working hard to build back better after consectutive natural disasters whilst ensuring that the costs of living in the Western Downs remains affordable for our residents.
Our region is growing, thanks to our strong, diverse economy, and Council is planning for future growth through investment in quality essential services and the delivery of modern infrastructure.
We have carefully budgeted to deliver a budget surplus of $2.6 million this year with total operating expenditure of $177.8 million and a total capital investment of $73 million.
We have an annual average general rates increase of 3.9% and 3.5% for utility charges in this budget.
Most residential households, however, will only see a 3.5% increase, which is lower than the current inflation rate thanks to Council's strong financial management in previous years.
Council will continue to offer a 5% discount on rates paid by their due date.
We will also continue to match the State Government's Rates Subsidy Scheme, offering pensioners a 20% rebate on rates and charges excluding water consumption - up to a maximum of $200 per year.
To provide clarity and consistency for property owners across the region, Council has undertaken a review of its rating categories.
Some categories have been refined to ensure a more fair and equitable system.
As part of the process, Council has consolidated its large residential and small rural rate categories for owners of properties of less than 50 hectares.
Our priority is keeping our roads safe; Council is on target to complete the delivery of a our massive $164 million Road Flood Damage Repair Program in early 2025.
Consecutive flooding events continue to impact the condition of our regional roads, and we are delivering major improvements in the flood resilience of our floodways to better withstand future heavy rainfall events.
We understand the huge impact of flooding events have on our communities, and Council has allocated $50.6 million for maintenance and capital improvements to improve local roads, bridges and stormwater infrastructure.
This includes $23.1 million in road maintenance and repairs work and $27.5 million in capital upgrades.
Included in the capital expenditure is $5.98 million in QRA Betterment Funding for construction of new floodways to increase the flood resilience of our roads and residential streets.
Council is also actively lobbying the State and Federal Governments for increased funding for urgent repairs and asset renewals for State-controlled roads in our region and for the national Warrego Highway.
Water continues to be our single most important resource on the Western Downs, which is why we've invested more than $16.8 million in capital funding for our water treatment and supply infrastructure this year.
This includes a commitment over three years for development of a bore, water treatment and pipeline for Dalby to ensure the long-term viability of the town's water supply, and the commencement of a multi-year water security project for Chinchilla.
Council will also undertake a feasibility study to investigate year-round water supply at Lake Broadwater and we will start a multi-year project to raise the Condamine Weir.
Our popular water tank rebate scheme will also continue this financial year, to increase the water security of individual properties and homes in our region.
Long-term water security and supply are critical for the growth of our region and economy, and Council will continue to aggressively advocate for the construction of Nathan Dam.
Activating our communities and creating exciting new places to gather, play, learn and celebrate is another important priority for Council in 2024-25.
Planning for a new cultural facility for Dalby continues this year, as we work towards finalising the location and inclusions for this exciting landmark project.
We are also in the early stages of community consultation and planning for a new Chinchilla Aquatic Precinct.
Many of our regional pools and infrastructure are nearing end of life and we are setting our sights on strategies for replacing these much-loved community assets in our region.
Council recognises the importance of our community parks and greenspaces to residents and visitors alike, and are proud to be investing $1.38 million in capital upgrades to improve our parklands and open spaces.
This includes a new playground for Thomas Jack Park at Dalby and creating a masterplan through community consultation to guide future upgrades to Lions Park in Tara.
The Western Downs is brimming with great experiences and attractions.
Our region is home to some of Queensland’s most exciting and unique destination events like the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races, Big Skies 2024, Chinchilla Melon Fest 2025, and our annual Words Out West Readers and Writers Festival.
Events like these showcase our culture and give our communities the opportunity to shine, bringing visitors and tourists to the region in droves and boosting our tourism revenue.
That’s why Council has allocated $408,000 in events funding and community grants to empower local community groups to deliver new and exciting initiatives in our region.
We want to encourage our community members and visitors to explore our backyard and enjoy our facilities, so Council has allocated $5.47 million in capital improvements to existing regional showgrounds, civic centres, community halls, and sport and recreation grounds.
As part of this, we'll be developing masterplans for new and improved facilities at the Tara and Dalby Showgrounds and remodelling the Miles Leichhard Centre foyer and hall walkway.
Council has also invested $620,000 to strengthen economic diversity through the delivery of Round 2 of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program in Tara, our locally led Economic Recovery Program, which includes development of the Buy Western Downs and #ExperienceWesternDowns platforms, and the Building Disaster Resilience Program.
It's been my privilege today, to share with you some insight into the exciting new infrastructure, services and liveability projects we will be delivering for the region in the year ahead.
I'd like to acknowledge the wonderful work of both my fellow Councillors and Council staff in preparing this budget for the Western Downs community.
We've delivered a responsible financial plan that has been carefully prepared with community needs front and centre.
This budget ensures Council can continue to deliver improved services and infrastructure that allow for future regional growth while investing in wonderful new capital projects to drive economic growth and enhance the attraction and liveability of the Western Downs for generations to come.