High inflation puts pressure on Council’s 2022-23 budget

Charters Towers Regional Council is set to adopt its 2022-23 budget in June and will need to take into account the current rate of inflation.

In March 2022, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) results which has increased to 5.1%.

Mayor Frank Beveridge said Council is not exempt from the ever-increasing costs of road construction materials, electricity, fuel, and other goods and services.

“Council has experienced a significant increase in operational costs over the past 12 months and it is likely we’ll continue to see these increase further over the 2022-23 period.

“To continue to deliver vital services for the community, Council will need to carefully consider rates and fees and charges for the 2022-23 Budget.

“We understand that any increases in rates and fees and charges can significantly impact our community. Council will endeavour to keep these increases as low as possible, however, the community should be prepared for increases above what we have seen in the past few years.

“Council needs to be sustainable, and to do this, Council’s Budget will need to take into account the current CPI,” said the Mayor.

Council will continue to maximise the funding available through State and Federal government grants to either fully fund or partially fund upcoming projects.

The 2022-23 Budget is expected to be adopted at the Special Meeting of Council scheduled for 29 June 2022.