2022-2023 Budget Adoption
The Carpentaria Shire Council budget was adopted today, Thursday 16th June 2022 at the Budget Meeting held in Normanton this morning. The budget is for the financial year 2022-2023.
As part of the budget process several policies were also reviewed and updated those being, Revenue Policy, Investment Policy, Debt Policy (no new borrowings), Debt Recovery Policy, Financial Hardship Policy, Rates Based Financial Assistance for Community Organisations, Pensioner Rates Concession Policy (remains at 30% for eligible pensioners as in previous years), Concealed Water Leak Policy and Faulty Water Meter Policy. These Policies will be available on the Council Website in due course.
Council also adopted the Operational Plan for the 2022-2023 financial year.
The operational budget deficit totals $6.147 million. The Capital Budget contains projects with a value of $25.405 million, of which $21.222 million is covered with grant funding with the balance contribution from Ratepayers. Council continues to hold discussion with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to undertake works for and on their behalf and we continue to receive funding through the Works 4 Queensland (State Government) and the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program {LRCIP} (Federal Government).
Capital projects are broken up as follows, Renewals $3.892million, Upgrades $17.005million and New $4.508million. Councils, more importantly the ratepayers, contribution towards this investment is $4.082million, with the balance coming from grants funding and trade-ins of assets being replaced. Most of our capital investment is in upgrades and renewal of assets to increase the useful life of our assets and ensure they continue to service the needs of the community, rather than just adding new assets.
Council has continued its success in obtaining grant funds to reduce the impact and burden on ratepayers to deliver necessary infrastructure. Mayor Bawden said “Council will continue to use its best endeavours to access eligible funding for projects that benefit the community and its ratepayers.”
Mayor Bawden said “during the development of the budget, Council was mindful of the current economic climate and challenges faced by commercial business and the flow on effect this has for the community, the increase for the average household ratepayer will be $2.40 per week in Normanton and a $1.21 per week increase for Karumba Residents.”
Residential ratepayers will receive a general rate rise of around 4%, although the changes in the valuations may impact some properties more than others.
Council has adopted a Two-Part Tariff for charging water in the 2022-2023 budget in line with legislation. Previously Council had an allocation methodology and now moves to a more “user-pays” method of rating. This will consist of an access charge and then a water consumption charge based on the amount of actual water used. A Fact-Sheet is being finalised and will be distributed to ratepayers with the notices and will also be available on the website.
Rate notices are planned to be issued in August 2022 and also in February 2023.