Have your say on the 2022 Budget

Published on 13 June 2022

Council will hold a series of pop-up stalls around the city next week for those wanting to know more about the 2022-23 Budget.

The Budget is currently on public display and is set to be adopted by Council at this month's Ordinary Meeting.

Council's acting Chief Financial Officer, Simon Brown, said the pop-ups would be a good chance for locals to provide feedback or just learn more about Council's finances.

"A lot of the financial workings of Council can be somewhat complicated, so we'll have members of the Finance team on hand to chat with locals and answer any questions," he said.

"It's a good opportunity for people to give us their thoughts on the budget, or to just get a better idea of how we manage things."

This year's proposes budget proposes a 2.3% increase in overall rates, however the distribution of rates would change.

Mines would contribute an extra 2% toward the rates total, whilst commercial businesses would contribute 1% less, and rates contributed by industrial area properties would revert to  2019/2020 levels.

Residents would also now be granted an extra three vouchers to use the Waste Facility free of charge, and would have the ability to receive more vouchers should they exhaust their  supply.

For ongoing operations Council is expecting to spend $2.74 million operating parks and sporting fields, $2.08 million on cultural facilities, and $2.19 million on roads and footpaths.

Meanwhile over $19 million is earmarked for capital works, including Stage One of the O'Neill Sporting Precinct upgrade, the continuation of the new Library project, upgrades to the Duke

of Cornwall tennis courts and the installation of a half-court basketball court in the park, and approximately $3.2 million in road upgrades.

Overall, Council is budgeting for a loss of approximately $772,000, but is aiming to breakeven by 2023-24.

Those wishing to view the full budget can do so here, and submissions can be made online here.

Those wishing to visit the pop-up stalls can do so at the following times and locations:

Wednesday 15th: 4-6pm, Library

Thursday 16th: Midday-2pm, Town Square

Friday 17th: Midday-2pm, Patton Park