Summary of Rates & Charges
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Croydon’s Bush Telegraph Mayor’s message Croydon Shire Council Budget 2020/2021 Mayor Trevor Pickering presented the Croydon Shire Council 2020/2021 Budget at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 18 June 2020. Bringing down the budget, Mayor Pickering described it as a responsible budget in the current economic climate with no reduction in the operations and services of Council. The Croydon Shire’s mission is to continually improve the quality of life for the shire residents through the provision of quality services. This budget makes provision to continue to maintain and improve the services provided by Council to the Croydon Shire community. The budget aims to support sustainable future growth in the shire while continuing to provide facilities and services which promote an inclusive, resilient and safe community. “The budget is consistent with the ten-year vision and strategic directions of the Community Plan, incorporating the views of Croydon Shire residents in shaping our shire’s future,” Mayor Pickering said. “With the Shire’s small rate base comprising only 6% of total revenue, as with every budget, preparing the 2020/2021 Budget has been a challenge with many different priorities competing for limited funding”. “Council recognises the responsibility it is charged with and has concentrated on creating a budget that can deliver essential services to our community, whilst keeping rate and charges increases to a minimum”. “With a clear focus on supporting and enhancing our rural lifestyle by investing in infrastructure while maintaining affordable rates Council was able to deliver an average increase in rates and utility charges of 2.35%,” Mayor Pickering said. “The budget includes expenditure totalling $18.4 million. This is comprised of capital expenditure totalling approximately $6.6 million to be invested in the replacement and renewal of community assets, $6.5 million for flood damage and main roads contract works,” Mayor Pickering said. “The importance of improved shire road infrastructure network is significantly evident in this budget”. Mayor Pickering reported that with no loan borrowings, Council as with this current budget has been able to deliver consistent surplus budgets over the years resulting in cash reserves of approximately $20m and therefore is in an excellent financial position to take advantage of future opportunities as they arise. The ten year budget forecast demonstrates the shire is financially sustainable and well placed to retain its sound financial rating. “With the successful relocation of the Council Works Depot further grant funding in the 2020/21 budget has been allocated to the heritage precinct area to further develop the heritage park by extending the picket fencing and heritage lighting, upgrade to the Courthouse and creation of a viewing platform in the Town Hall for the 35mm projectors”. “It is hoped these initiatives will promote Croydon as a tourist destination and help local businesses by encouraging visitations and stays in the township,” Mayor Pickering said. “I would like to thank the Councillors, the Chief Executive Officer and management team for their efforts in preparing the 2020/2021 Budget,” Mayor Pickering said. To view the Croydon Shire Council’s 2020/2021 Budget in full, visit www.croydon.qld.gov.au Mayor Trevor Pickering Croydon Shire Council Croydon’s Bush Telegraph Edition 7 - July 2020 T: 4748 7100 E: [email protected] W: www.croydon.qld.gov.au Budget Summary Below is a summary of Council’s budgeted income and expenditure for the 2020-2021 financial year. The detailed adopted budget report can be found on Council’s website www.croydon.qld.gov.au BUDGET INCOME 2020- 2021 6% 3% 1% Rates & Utility Charges 2% 33% Fees & Charges Rental 55% Interest Services Revenue ( Main Roads) Grants & Subsidies (FAG) BUDGET EXPENDITURE 2020-2021 Administration Costs 16% 8% Community Service Costs 11% 1% 2% 7% Infrastructure Costs 55% Health & Environment Costs Corporate Governance Recoverable Works Costs Depreciation Major projects to be undertaken during the 2020/21 financial year: Install pipe culverts (various locations) - $1.3m Richmond Road upgrade (R2R, TIDS & FAG grant funding) - $900k Coralie Road upgrade (QRA betterment funding) - $1.2m Plant replacement program $990k New gardeners shed - $65k Lake Belmore Bollards - $21k Painting – Pool Pump Shed & Toilet Block, Admin Building, Doris Casey Hall – $35k New depot – Construction seal works - $104k Information Centre solar power installation – $30k Purchase/Sale of Residential Housing (Cairns & District Regional Housing) - $70k COVID W4Q 2020-21 Town Water Supply Upgrade (Grant funded) - $492k COVID W4Q 2020-21 Heritage Precinct Upgrade (Grant funded) - $172k COVID W4Q 2020-21 Upgrade to Sporting Facilities (Grant funded) - $185k COVID W4Q 2020-21 Rodeo Grounds Upgrade (Grant funded) - $171k The focus remains on maintaining core services which include: Maintenance of parks and gardens - $91k Provision of library service - $45k Provision of sporting facilities - $97k Tourism promotion & VIC operation - $198k Annual mosquito control program - $35k Provision of childcare program service - $132k Cemetery operation & maintenance - $14k Heritage operation & maintenance - $62k Community events donations - $15k Lake Belmore operation & maintenance - $64k Swimming Pool operation and maintenance - $128k Aerodrome operation & maintenance - $21k Roadworks Council will be carrying out extensive road restoration projects for flood damage over our entire road network this financial year. Entrance at the intersection of the Croydon/Richmond Road and Gulf Development Road will be upgraded to a double lane grid and a section of the Richmond Road will be upgraded to bitumen sealed standard. Through funding obtained under QRA betterment projects a section of Coralie Road will be upgraded and also pipe culverts will be installed on Guildford and Claraville Roads. There will also be an asphalt floodway constructed on the Yapper River Road. Water Infrastructure Major critical repairs will be carried out at our Water Treatment Plant to ensure a safe and reliable water supply to the community. The project will also include painting the reservoir with heat resistant paint to reduce heat inside the reservoir, keep the water temperature low and reduce chlorine costs. Community Pump Track Recreational Park Works are in progress to beautify and landscape the surrounds of the community Pump Track to increase the appeal and use of the open space and recreational facility. Additional funding to install rubber soft fall around the track is being sought through the Local Roads Community Infrastructure Program to address safety. Heritage Precinct Upgrade A number of projects in 2020-21 financial year will be carried out to complement the existing Heritage Precinct area. This includes extending the picket fencing and replica lamp post lighting along the western end of the area. Repairs will also be carried out to the Courthouse decking and the Outhouse at the back. A viewing platform will be created in the Town Hall for tourists to view the two historical 35mm film projectors. Tennis Court and Bowling Green Upgrade Council will replace the artificial turf and upgrade power supply to overhead lights at the tennis court. Bowling Green project will include replacement of the existing mat as well as an upgrade to the drainage system. Croydon Rodeo Grounds Upgrade Following completion of the new public ablution block to replace the trailer mounted ablution Council will upgrade the old amenities block, refurbish the kitchen, upgrade the power supply and also apply heat resistant painting to the Rodeo Grounds Shed. As the Rodeo Grounds has become the main facility for community events these improvements will increase its appeal and future use. SUMMARY OF RATES & CHARGES 2020/2021 For each occupied residence, flat, strata title unit, General Rates dwelling or improved property – 1 utility charge per General rates assist Council to provide and wheeled bin service, whether or not a service is maintain services such as planning, libraries, rendered. No other waste receptacles will be community and sport & recreation infrastructure, serviced. parks and playgrounds, roads and bridges, street lighting, drainage and environmental activities. For each commercial, industrial or community facility – 2 utility charges per wheeled bin serviced Council levies a general rate on all rateable twice weekly whether or not the service is properties using a differential rating system rendered. whereby different levels of rating are applied to the three categories of property types. These property The cleansing service charge is $326.70 per types are Urban, Rural and Mining. This ensures unit. that Council’s rating system is as fair and equitable as possible in distributing the total rate assessment Water Charge across all property owners or service consumers. Water utility charges for land where Council deems that water can be supplied from the reticulated The general rate on your property is calculated by system are to be levied on the basis of whether the multiplying the charging valuation by the rate in the land is vacant or occupied or whether it is, or is not, dollar which applies to your differential rating rateable land. A water access charge per unit is category. applied with the number of units per improvement as detailed in the Water Charges Schedule. In Land valuations (which is the charging valuation) addition there is a water consumption charge