Council has adopted its integrated plans, including the Delivery Program 2022-26, Operational Plan 2022-23, Fees and Charges 2022-23 and Revenue Policy 2022-23.
'We had to make some difficult decisions around the budget this year to ensure we are on track towards long-term financial sustainability,' Mayor Kenrick Winchester said.
'This means that this year's budget is a 'maintenance budget' with minimal new projects funded by the General Fund.'
'However, the Operational Plan is still highlighted by some $146m in capital works. This includes continuing work on the Regional Sports Complex and the Queanbeyan Civic and Cultural Precinct, upgrading the Braidwood Pool, continuing the Captains Flat Road upgrade, and the Nerriga Recreation Area and main street upgrade,' Kenrick said.
'We have been fortunate to be successful in gaining grant funding for many of these projects.'
'Our budget reflects a 2.5% rate increase as approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. The rate peg increase will result in an additional $1m in revenue that goes part of the way in meeting cost increases including staff Award increases of $1m, emergency services levy contribution of $1.25m and depreciation increases of $1.8m.'
'Annual charges are generally increasing by a base rate of 2.5% and Queanbeyan sewer costs will increase by a further 2% to assist with funding for the Queanbeyan Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade.'
'By the end of the year, we will have done service reviews to look at how we are delivering our services, talking to the community and our stakeholders about the services we provide, before thinking about any need to consider other revenue options such as a special rate variation.'
'Over 70% of NSW councils have received a special rate variation in the past ten years, while as a merged council, our general rates income was not able to increase beyond the rate peg.'
The adopted integrated plans will be available at www.qprc.nsw.gov.au/budgets-and-planning
