Central Highlands Regional Council adopts one-off ‘back-to-basics’ budget for 2024-2025

The Central Highlands Regional Council has adopted a $292 million budget for the 2024-2025 financial year, with a back-to-basics approach focused on affordably delivering core services and projects.

Mayor Janice Moriarty explained the council’s dedication to balancing what the community wants, the region’s progress, and maintaining financial sustainability.

‘Every year, the budget is our promise to deliver for our communities – to set out how council will contribute to the livability of our vibrant region,’ she said.

‘We are a large council area with $1.7 billion worth of assets to look after, but we have a small ratepayer base. This means we need to be strategic about how we operate, where our money comes from, and where we spend it.

‘Next year, we are budgeting an operating surplus of $2.3 million. We are also on track to reduce our loan borrowings to less than 1% of our asset base by 2033-2034. This means council is not relying on new loan borrowings to maintain its assets.’

With cost of living pressures mounting for households and businesses, Mayor Moriarty said council had taken stock of the community’s financial situation when setting the budget this year.

‘You have spoken, and we have listened,’ she said.

‘That’s why we are adopting a one-off ‘back-to-basics’ budget, with no increase in general rates for most rural, residential, and commercial ratepayers and minimal increases for others. This is being achieved by continuing to deliver core services and projects efficiently and affordably.

‘While there will also be increases in utility charges, we have made a conscious effort to keep these to a minimum as well.’

Mayor Moriarty said the increases in utility charges were needed to cover the rising costs associated with providing reliable and high-quality water, sewerage, and waste management services. She said council was also mindful of its responsibility to comply with local government legislation and National Competition Policy when making pricing decisions for its utilities.

‘For the average residential household the increased utility charges equate to an extra $4.15 per week after the 5% discount is applied for on-time payments,’ she said.

Mayor Moriarty said going forward council has a robust capital program of $83.8 million in 2024-2025, which includes $33.2 million in external funding.

‘Thanks to securing funding from the state and federal governments we can forge ahead with some exciting projects such as upgrades to the Springsure Aquatic Centre, the redevelopment of the Emerald Botanic Gardens and works at Bonnie Doon Road, Yamala,’ she said.

Mayor Moriarty said working with other government levels was essential for keeping council costs low and encouraging regional growth.

‘We will continue to prioritise our advocacy efforts to attract our fair share of funding back to our region so we can keep enhancing and developing our towns and communities,’ she said.

‘Under our capital program, we will also be investing $18.5 million into our rural road network, $8 million into urban streets, $10.6 million for our water network, $1.1 million in resource recovery (waste management) and $19.2 million in facilities, parks and recreation.’

Operational project highlights include $1.5 million for a 5-year strategic water utilities plan, $150,000 each for a road network safety plan and an improvement project for the Blackwater Wastewater Treatment Plant, $30,000 for the School Transport Infrastructure Program at Bluff, $30,000 for flying fox management and $25,000 for the popular Healthy Active Highlanders wellness program.

Budget fast facts

Total budget $292 M Capital works program $83.8 M, including $33.2 M in external funding Operational expenditure $200.9 M Operating surplus $2.3 M No increase in general rates for most residential, commercial, and rural ratepayers $4.15 per week average increase in combined residential utility charges (after discount) $47.50 per annum increase in residential sewerage charges (after discount) $68.40 per annum increase in residential water infrastructure charges (after discount) $68.40 per annum average increase in residential water consumption charges (assuming 180kl consumption per half-year water notice) $31.35 per annum increase in residential waste charges (after discount) Increase in general rates for coal mining, worker’s accommodation, and petroleum leases, capped at 6% except for properties on the minimum rate where the increase will be 7% On track to reduce external borrowings to less than 1% of council’s total infrastructure asset base by 2033-2034

‘We hope this newly elected council’s first budget is a chance for us to reset, review rating and refocus with input from our community,’ Mayor Moriarty said.

For more information on council’s budget head here.

Councillor Christopher Whiteman, Deputy Mayor Rachael Cruwys, Councillor Craig Hindmarsh, Councillor Robert Donaldson, Councillor Gai Sypher, Councillor Joseph Burns, Mayor Janice Moriarty, Councillor Gillian Wilkins and Councillor Karen Newman after adopting the Central Highlands Regional Council 2024-2025 Budget on 26 June 2024.