Council Budget workshops address economic challenges on Redlands Coast

Ensuring residents are receiving value for money from their rates contribution has been a focus of Redland City Council’s Budget deliberations for the 2024-25 financial year.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said discussions at Budget workshops had been predicated on a commitment to making responsible financial decisions in respect to the cost-of-living challenges facing residents.

“The new Council has been working hard since day one to ensure the 2024-25 community budget responds to the challenging economic climate in which it is being developed,” the Mayor said.

“Residents across the city are doing it tough, so it makes sense that as a Council our focus is on driving efficiencies within the organisation and investing in projects that represent value for money.

“Council is acutely aware that in these challenging economic times, it must spend the public’s money wisely and in ways that will benefit the entire Redlands Coast community.

“Since being elected in March, I have been having conversations with Council about ensuring residents are getting value for money from their rates contribution.

“There has never been a more important time for Council to focus on making every dollar go further, with households right across Redlands Coast feeling the cost-of-living pinch – whether they be families, couples, singles or pensioners.

“Like governments at all levels, these residents are having to develop their own budgets to manage the rising costs of things like groceries, fuel and electricity.

“While no one likes paying rates, we want to make our community aware that their money is being looked after and we are committed as a Council to prioritising projects that will improve our enviable lifestyle on Redlands Coast.”

The Mayor said the process of Budget development included numerous workshops, meetings and briefings with Council’s finance officers and the Executive Leadership Team.

“There are so many moving parts in the Budget development process, but we are all working towards a collective goal and that is to adopt a Budget that benefits residents in every corner of the city,” the Mayor said.

“Council recognises that community money powers this city and it has a responsibility to make financial decisions that respect the community of the day, while also building a strong future for the next generation.

“We are heavily invested in making sure our community is receiving the best value for money possible from their rates contribution during these challenging economic times.

“The Budget development process for 2024-25 started in November last year and the time councillors and officers have spent in meetings since then has surpassed 45 hours, which shows the scope of deliberations.”

Council remains in a healthy financial position heading into the 2024-25 financial year, with a strong balance sheet.

“In its latest review of Redland City Council, The Queensland Treasury Corporation, who assess the financial health of Council, found Council’s capacity to meet its financial commitments is sound,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor said a recent increase to land valuations on Redlands Coast was having to be managed as part of the process of determining residential rates for the 2024-25 financial year.

“Land valuations are set by the Queensland Government Valuer-General and Council is obliged under State legislation to use these valuations when setting rates for all properties across the city,” the Mayor said.

“The Redland City Local Government Area land valuations have increased 31 per cent since valuations were last issued in 2022, while in some suburbs the increase has been close to 60 per cent.

“Council will continue to mitigate the significant increase in valuations in order to keep rates rises as low as possible.”

Council’s Special Budget Meeting will be held on Thursday 27 June 2024.

Redland City Council provides a suite of services to 166,873 residents and more than 63,000 residential households across Redlands Coast. Our naturally wonderful city on Quandamooka Country is home to more than 335 kilometres of coastline, six island communities and 12 mainland suburbs.