Council adopts frugal budget as cost of living rises

Isaac Regional Council’s 2022-23 Budget is set to deliver future focused projects and essential services while managing the effects of a changing world.

Mayor Anne Baker said finding more efficient and innovative ways to deliver services and projects to 17 unique communities was top priority.

“Our focus is on securing the future of our communities, the world we live in is changing and this means the way we do business needs to change,” Mayor Baker, who delivered her 11th Budget, said.

“We are faced with unique and challenging economic conditions beyond the pandemic. We have supply chain pressures and increasing costs of delivering the services residents have come to expect.

"We know family budgets are already strained and the Council team has worked hard to ensure we keep the rates revenue increase of 2.3 per cent well below the March Consumer Price Index of six per cent.

“This budget has been about balancing services with projects that will make sure our Isaac region is well positioned to embrace new opportunities.”

Water consumption charges have been kept at the same levels as 2021-22. Utility charges for water and waste have been kept to a 2 per cent increase.

Mayor Baker said significant work has been done to keep the overall rates increases below 3 per cent.

“The total average residential rates bill will go up by less than $1.90 a week for most residents,” Mayor Baker said.

“This is a great effort by our Council as we manage 19 community facilities, eight aquatic facilities, eight water treatment plants, six wastewater treatment plants, nine waste management facilities, 99 parks and playgrounds and 4,500km of sealed and unsealed roads.”

Visit https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/annual-budget for more information on the Isaac Regional Council 2022-23 Budget.

Published: 29th June 2022