Council adopts 2015/16 budget of smallest rates increase and biggest plans

Gympie Regional Council has adopted its 2015/16 budget which includes the smallest rates increase in its history coupled with funding that provides the green light for a flagship project.

Mayor Mick Curran said the $130 million budget was about delivering quality services and infrastructure to the Gympie region while being fiscally responsible and efficient.

‘This budget includes an increase to the rates early payment discount to 10% in the second rates notice issue, from the current 5% and a minimal rates rise of 2.67%, which reduces to 0.15% when the 10% discount is applied. In real terms, the rates rise for a home rate with an unchanged valuation that attracts the minimum rate will be only seven cents a week. We have worked very hard to increase efficiencies and keep a cap on Council costs,’ Mayor Curran said.

‘This budget includes a capital projects programme worth $52 million which translates into better roads, bridges, footpaths, parks, cultural and recreational facilities for our region,’ Mayor Curran said.

‘This budget steers us a region closer to our vision to be the natural choice to live, work and play.’

‘The allocation of $6 million for ARC, the aquatic and recreation centre, added to the $5 million pledged by the Federal government means that tenders for construction of this exciting project can be called in the immediate future.’

‘By internal processes we have been able to increase efficiencies with no decrease in services. This budget, with the lowest rates increase in this Council’s history will guide the growth of our region in all aspects of our lifestyle now and into the future,’ Mayor Curran added.

Highlights of the 2015/16 budget include:

• Early rates payment discount increase to 10% in second rates notice issue
• Minimal rates rise of 2.67% before discount is applied
• Pensioner rebate to remain
• $52 million Capital Projects Programme
• $6,266,530 for major road, bridge and footpath upgrade works
• $1,534,000 in capital expenditure for parks and gardens

Major projects in 2015/16 financial year:

• $6 million for ARC, which will add to the $5 million pledged by Federal government for the $20 million total
• 1.1 million for upgrading Bayside Road at Tin Can Bay / Cooloola Cove.
• $1.26 million for upgrading Langton Road and Hall Road in the busy industrial and commercial area of Monkland.
• $495,000 for improving storm water drainage.
• Almost $900,000 for road upgrading and bitumen sealing on sections of Anderleigh Road and Noosa Rd.
• $300,000 for footpath renewals and upgrades at Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach, Southside, Gympie and at Woolooga.
• $700,000 for replacing Tatnell Bridge on Cedar Pocket Road at Cedar Pocket.
• $950,000 for replacing the two single lane timber bridges on Fleming Rd at Two Mile.
• $1, 000 000 for sewer main relining in both Gympie and the Cooloola Coast.
• $105, 000 for improvements at Lake Alford park.
• $425,000 as part of a two year programme of improving facilities at Lawrie Hansen Park, Rainbow Beach.
• $70, 000 is allocated to existing funds to construct new beach access/stairs to the beach from the southern point of Phil Rogers Park at Rainbow Beach.
• $40,000 for purchasing play equipment at Centenary of Federation Park, Cooloola Cove.
• $650,000 for upgrading the Civic Centre in Gympie, including replacing air conditioning.
• $20,000 for improving the Kilkivan Hall.
• $40,000 for upgrading the Kinbombie amenities block.
• $150,000 for upgrading the Gympie Showground switchboard.
• $520,000 for the streetscape improvements as part of the Our Towns project implementation in Tin Can Bay township, Cooloola Cove and Goomeri.
• $500,000 for Mary Street Concept Implementation as part of the Gympie Town Centre revitalisation strategy.
• $450,000 for the Smithfield Street Concept Design Implementation as part of the Gympie Town Centre revitalisation strategy.
• $100,000 for the Nelson Reserve/Memorial Park Masterplan Implementation.
• $20,000 for design of new Gympie SES building

For more information visit Gympie Regional Council