Townsville City Council has today adopted its Annual Report for the 2023/24 financial year, showcasing the organisation's continued commitment to delivering for the City of Townsville.
The Annual Report details Council's achievements and activities during the past financial year and was endorsed at today's Ordinary Meeting. The annual report includes Council's financial statements which have been audited by the Queensland Audit Office on behalf of the Auditor-General.
Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob said the report reflected Council's progress towards growing Townsville.
"Council has invested more than $152 million into capital works like roads, footpaths, water infrastructure and wastewater assets in the 2023/24 financial year, delivering on the core services that help keep our city moving," Cr Jacob said.
"Townsville is a growing city with a population that is continuously expanding – in the past year we've experienced 1.7 per cent population growth and now have more than 200,000 residents. This growth means we need a strong financial foundation to continue delivering the same high level of services to the city.
"As a Council we're moving forward with plans to further strengthen our financial position to best place the city for future growth.
Cr Jacob said Council's community equity was growing year on year.
"Despite financial challenges, Council has recorded $6.5 billion in community equity, which is $748.3 million higher than the previous year," he said.
"Just like households across the city, Council is also working to manage its budget with increased cost pressures while continuing to provide reliable and quality services for the Townsville community.
"The Annual Report also outlines Council's Corporate Plan, which outlines Council's vision and provides a series of priorities and strategies to achieve these goals. Our activities in the past financial year have stuck to this vision and helped get us closer to achieving our corporate goals.
"Council has marked some strong achievements towards its goals this year, including accepting ECO Destination Certification on behalf of Townsville from Ecotourism Australia and hosting grassroots events like Eco Fiesta and the Seniors Luncheon.
"The report highlights the ways Council is continuing to deliver and enhance essential services for our city, including maintaining 100 per cent dam safety regulation compliance, increases in Council investments with local and small to medium businesses and growing 80,000 plants at its Dry Tropics Nursery during the past year."
Operational Plan 2023/24 highlights:
- 100 per cent compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
- 80,000 plants grown by Dry Tropics Nursery
- 100 per cent compliance with dam safety regulations
- 98 per cent increase in registered users on the What's On Townsville website
- Achieved ECO Destination Certification in nature tourism for the Townsville Local Government Area
- 8000 scheduled water meters replaced with smart water meters
- 89 per cent of Council investment with local business
- 64.17 per cent of Council investment with small to medium businesses
- 3 per cent of all Council procurement with First Nations-owned businesses
- 27,000 tonnes of green waste diverted from landfill
- 33.99 per cent of waste diverted from landfill
- 4.06 million visitors to Council's website
- 42,567 visitors to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Pinnacles Gallery
- 71 community events delivered for the community.
