Quality service delivery underpins 2023-2024 Council Budget

Published on 21 June 2023

Western Downs Regional Council's 2023-24 Budget will bolster essential infrastructure and focus on quality service delivery to drive certainty and enhance the region's liveability for generations to come.

Handing down Council's Budget today (Wednesday 21 June), Mayor Paul McVeigh said Council was targeting the fundamentals of Council delivery while continuing to invest in initiatives to drive the region forward.

"During a time of significant global economic pressure, ongoing supply shortages, and high industry demand, it is crucial Council delivers a budget which is measured and responsible, and this year Council is focusing on core infrastructure to get the basics right and deliver the standard of service our community expects,” Cr McVeigh said.

"I am proud to say that this Council will continue to have a strong financial position with a budgeted surplus of $2.7M this year, with a total operating expenditure of more than $168.5 million, plus a total capital investment of $180.8 million. Our ongoing commitment to responsible financial management has meant Council is able to keep rates low, while ensuring we are able to deliver high-quality services for our growing region, which is why we are able to deliver a general rates increase of 3.8% in this budget.

“It’s important to note our region has recently undergone a land revaluation by the Queensland Government, which come into effect on 30 June, 2023. This revaluation has seen significant increases in the value of Western Downs land, and has seen rural land valuations increase by an average of 66% and some valuations as much as 104%.”

“Our average general rates increase of 3.8% aligns responsible financial management with high quality service delivery while continuing to enhance the liveability of the Western Downs.”

Cr McVeigh said a cornerstone of this year’s budget was its $180.8 million capital works program, which includes the progression of a record flood restoration program to fix and improve the region’s road network.

“Our road network was lashed by several consecutive flooding events in the past two years, which has created a massive repair effort for Council,” he said.

"On top of this record program, we will invest more than $43.6 million into local road upgrades and maintenance projects across the Western Downs which also features a regional road resilience program to strengthen our roads against future weather impacts, and $886,633 into new or improved footpaths to keep our region connected, and our services strong.

“Council will also undertake a region-wide flood gauge improvement program to help ensure accurate and timely information for the community in disaster events, with $940,000 committed.

"This budget also includes significant investment in modern water infrastructure to ensure quality essential services for our towns and cater to ever-growing demands on our utilities network.

“We are building for the future of our region. It is vital our growing region continues to be supported by modern infrastructure and a high standard of service, which is why more than $12.6 million will be invested into our water treatment and supply infrastructure this year. This includes the next phase of a multi-year program to increase the Dalby town water supply, and upgrades and maintenance of water supply infrastructure in several towns.”

Cr McVeigh said Council would also enhance the region’s strong, diverse economy and empower local communities to deliver new and exciting initiatives for the region.

"In the coming months, we will celebrate the completion of several intergenerational projects which drive our liveability and create new recreational experiences for the region, including the new Bunya Mountains Mountain Bike Trails, Mary’s Place, the revitalised Chinchilla Cultural Precinct, and the Tara Aquatic Centre,” he said.

“Our strong, diverse economy is continuing to grow, which is why we can’t take the foot off the pedal, and in this budget, we will deliver a range of future-focused initiatives to ensure our region remains at the forefront of the changing world.

“This year, we will commence a carbon emissions study to understand how we as a Council and as a region contribute to reducing carbon emissions and explore how we can achieve carbon neutrality and work towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

“Council will continue to meaningfully engage with the community through the progression of other future-focused strategies and planning which will focus on key parks and recreational spaces, public art, and potential future facilities for our region.

“Last financial year we collaborated with the community to establish strategies for our showgrounds and aquatic facilities to guide future investment, and this year we will develop master plans for these much-loved community assets to ensure they meet our needs for generations to come.

“We will spend $600,000 to complete the final upgrades of the Waterloo Plain Environmental Park in Wandoan; the planning and development of a new cultural precinct for Dalby will continue this year, and we will invest in the progression of the region’s first community-led strategy to guide the future liveability of the region, known as ‘Western Downs Futures’.”

Cr McVeigh said Council would also invest in initiatives which promote the Western Downs as a destination of choice for visitors, supporting a strong economy and showcasing our region to the world.

“We continue to empower our community to deliver new and exciting opportunities for residents and visitors, and our investment in our renowned destination events will continue this year through direct funding for committees hosting events this year, and also offering grants funding for new initiatives,” he said.

“On top of this, Council will also deliver a brand-new tourist attraction for Bell, progressing plans to install a giant wind turbine blade in the area to attract visitors and tell the story of the region’s strong energy sector.”

Cr McVeigh said Council’s budget would also invest in the region’s active, vibrant community, with a range of events and programs to strengthen community ties.

‘We know our communities thrives on exciting local programs, and this budget includes funding for a range of popular programs at our libraries and galleries, as well as community movie nights, pool parties, comedy roadshow, and performing arts.”

2023-24 Budget Highlights

$349.3 million total budget expenditure
$180.8 million capital works expenditure
- $168.5 million operating expenditure

Quality Lifestyle

$124.58 million – Region-wide flood damage road repair program ($160m total)
$12.6 million – Water supply and treatment infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and continuation of the major Dalby water project
$4.08 million – Regional (gravel) resheet program
$4.274 million – Regional (bitumen) reseal program
$1.09 million – Regional Aquatic Centre improvements
$1.335 million – Landfill improvements (new weighbridges at Tara and Wandoan landfills, next phase of Winfields Landfill, and region-wide rehabilitation program)

Sustainable Organisation

Water Tank Rebate subsidy
Adopt a Street Tree program
Regional Road Resilience Program to build back roads stronger than before
$150,000 – Region-wide Carbon Emissions Study to support commitment to carbon neutrality
$940,000 – Region-wide flood gauge improvements to boost disaster preparedness and response

Strong, Diverse Economy

$250,000 – Dalby main street redevelopment design
$20,000 – Delivery of Caravanning and Motorhome Club Event
Delivery of Procurement Roadshow to showcase opportunities to do business with Council

Active, Vibrant Community

$50,000 – regional sculpture trail and public art
$450,000 – Planning and design of Dalby Cultural Precinct
$232,000 – Parks and Gardens Replacement Program to keep our spaces inviting and inclusive
$196,630 – Tara Lagoon walkway light up and water filling station install
$100,000 – Morgan Place, Miles barbeque, picnic tables, and shelter
$22,300 – Chinchilla Botanic Parkland Indigenous Area Masterplan
$20,000 – Lions Park and Creek Precinct Jandowae Masterplan
$600,000 - Completion of Waterloo Plain Environmental Park Wandoan

To find out more about the 2023-24 Council budget, visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/budget24 or phone 1300 COUNCIL (268 624).