$186.6m capital works budget breaks council record

A council in Central Queensland has adopted a record $186.6 million capital works program, which was announced in its annual 2022-23 budget.

Rockhampton Regional Council will attempt to deliver better services to encourage domestic and commercial growth, with about $50 million alone dedicated to improving upon essential infrastructure.

The budget also includes a number of measures that will help pensioners, community and sporting groups, according to Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams.

“These projects will not only mean that we can continue providing critical services to our community, they’re also the key to unlocking a bigger and better Rockhampton, allowing us to service an additional 16,000 homes,” Cr Williams said.

“Before Christmas we are also planning to break ground on the Mount Morgan Pipeline, and $24.3 million this year will go toward work to deliver this vital lifeline.

“It was not much more than a year ago that I stood in front of the Mount Morgan community and promised that this Council would deliver a permanent solution to ongoing water security issues.

“To be at the point we are in such a short time – having secured $3.5 million in funding from the Federal Government and $40.4 million from the State Government and preparing to break ground – is something this Council is immensely proud of.”

Mr Williams said it had been difficult to deliver a budget that takes into consideration the cost of living while ensuring Council is financially sustainable and continuing to provide the services and infrastructure that the community needs to grow.

“This budget will continue to support sporting groups and community groups as well as pensioners,” Cr Williams said.

“We know that rates form a large amount of sports and community groups’ operating costs which is why we want to help keep these costs down as best we can.

“A general rates rebate of up to 100 per cent will be available for eligible sporting and community groups so these groups can focus on doing what they do best instead of having to raise funds to pay for their rates.

“Council will also continue to provide a rebate of $260 per annum to assist eligible pensioner ratepayers.

For the majority of ratepayers, council has introduced a ten per cent rate discount for on-time payments and continues to offer an option for pay rates in instalments, as opposed to a lump sum.

“At the end of the day, we will continue to strive to provide value for your rates money while ensuring our financial sustainability and maintaining service levels that the community expect and deserve,” Cr Williams said.