A shocker rate rise of 7% or more across the board in the draft Budget was softened today (Wednesday) when Scenic Rim councillors voted in an average rates rise of 4.5%.
However, Cr Duncan McInnes warned that the lower level increases and the forecast deficit could not be sustained in the long term without a fall in services or a marked increase in rates.
While Mayor Tom Sharp said he noted the deficit predicted in the new Budget, he recalled that in the last three years the forecasting of revenue from fees and charges had been underestimated by as much as 20%. He said the increase in the numbers was due to the continued growth in the region.
“This [resulted] in a significant contribution to the Budget surplus in the last financial year,” Cr Sharp said.
“We will have to look at the accuracy of those models used to make these forecasts as the growth looks like continuing in the mid-term.”
Cr Sharp described the Budget as reflecting the current economic climate and the current management practices of Council.
“The challenges of bringing to the Scenic Rim the change that the people of this region voted for will take the full term of this Council and, while there will be no easy solutions, it is the undertaking of councillors to gain a clear picture of the services provided to the community with the intention of driving out waste, improving productivity and increasing efficiency.”
Big ticket items in the $119 million Budget include upgrades to Beechmont Road at Witheran ($2M), Veresdale Scrub Road ($1.8 M), Kooralbyn Road at Laravale ($1.5M) and renewal of the road network ($5.8M).
Around $1.6 million is to be spent on Taylor Bridge on Christmas Creek Road this financial year with an estimated further $6 million to be spent in forthcoming years.
• A detailed analysis of the Scenic Rim Regional Council 2025-2026 Budget will appear in the Fassifern Guardian on Wednesday (July 16).