Council Poised to Hand Down Responsive Budget

Lockyer Valley Regional Council will hand down it’s 2023/24 Budget on Wednesday 28 June, developed in response to both the challenging economic conditions and the need to maintain services.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said the Budget was responsive to the rising cost of living affecting households, businesses, and Council, and would deliver both the wide range of services Council is responsible for, along with an eye to the future.

“This Budget will ensure flood recovery roadworks are undertaken, waste management is meeting relevant environmental requirements and the needs of the wider community are met.

“We will also be addressing legacy issues so that they’re not left for future elected members or generations to deal with.

“Residents can expect a modest increase in their rates which will be less than CPI in order to minimise the impact on the average household budget,” she said.

Finance Portfolio Councillor Chris Wilson said Council continued to face the challenge of rising costs of goods and services, coupled with increasing responsibilities imposed by the State Government and long-term under-funding from the Federal Government and was adapting processes to minimise the flow-on impact to families.

“Councils deliver a considerable portion of services the community has access to yet collects or receives a very small portion of overall taxation.

“This year we have had to increase Waste Collection and Waste Management Charges to meet the new standards of full cost pricing however the average increase of just 75 cents per week should have a minimal impact on households, and our other levies remain unchanged.

“We remain committed to our rating concessions for pensioners and for ratepayers who pay their General Rates and Waste and Recycling Charges in full by the due date.

“We are very aware these are tough economic times with mortgage interest rates and repayments skyrocketing over the past year and energy bills continuing to rise and while Council can’t offset the impacts from those businesses, we have intentionally kept any price increases to the bare minimum,” he said.

The council will hand down its Budget at a Special Meeting commencing at 10am on Wednesday 28 June in the Council Chambers, Gatton.

For further information, contact Council on 1300 005 872.