In handing down his final Budget, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning acknowledged it was the most difficult since his time at Cairns Regional Council.
“In my 11 years as Mayor, this has been the most challenging Budget to shape for the community,” Cr Manning said.
“We are dealing with some unique and challenging economic conditions, including significant escalations in costs which have been amplified by resource restrictions, both in materials and services.
“These imposts are coming from areas outside of our influence and Council’s operating costs have risen substantially – just as they have for the family home.
“The 2023/24 Budget is practical in that it focuses on the renewal, upgrade and the provision of targeted infrastructure.
“It is also fiscally responsible, formulated to maintain service levels and absorb the impacts of rising costs as much as possible.
“We have worked hard to find savings and every line of this $433.5 million Budget has been scrutinised, not only to find savings but to deliver to a level that our community expects.”
The Budget includes $164.8 million for the Capital Works program.
“This Capital Works program builds on more than $1.5 billion of community infrastructure delivered over the last 11 years to improve the lives of our residents.
“The 2023/24 program provides $82.5 million for the water and the wastewater network, including $24 million to progressing the Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project.
“There is also $25 million for improvements to the road and drainage network, and almost $39 million earmarked for community, sport and cultural projects.
“In addition to the Capital Works program, the annual maintenance budget will consume $51 million this year on approximately 640 parks and nature areas; 1,360km of roads; 1,705km of kerb and channelling; 630 kilometres of sealed footpaths; 150 kilometres of on-road cycle lanes; 840 litter bins; and 85 public toilet blocks.”
Cr Manning said keeping the general rates rise below inflation, while ensuring Council could still maintain services, was a priority.
“The result is a general rates increase of 5.99%,” he said.
“We acknowledge that ratepayers and residents are also being impacted with increased cost of living pressures, which is why Council has worked diligently to deliver a general rate rise that is considerably below CPI, in order to ease some of that burden.”
Queensland’s CPI is currently 7.4%.
Cr Manning confirmed that Council would not be introducing a new rating category for non-principal place of residence in 2023/24.
The importance of tourism as a driving force behind Cairns’ economy has been recognised, with Council endorsing $3.4 million to support Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
A further $1.3 million will support major sporting, entertainment and cultural events that will deliver an economic benefit to the region, including the Cairns Ironman, Reef to Reef, and an NRL fixture later this year.
Budget highlights
- Council has delivered a Budget with a total operating expenditure of $377.9 million.
Rate Rise
- General rate increase of 5.99%.
Broad Capital Works Program
- Total Capital Works Program worth $164.8 million
- $25.1 million on roads, bridges, streetlighting, drainage, kerb and channel, shoulder sealing, and bus stops
- $29.6 million on improving the wastewater network,
- $52.9 million on water infrastructure, and
- $38.9 million on community, sport, and cultural projects.
Stimulating the economy
- $433.5 million will be spent in the community on resources, materials and services
- $6.1 million in grants, subsidies, contributions and sponsorships for events, arts and cultural initiatives activities, marketing and economic development activities
- $3.4 million for Tourism Tropical North Queensland
- $1.3 million to support and develop major sporting and entertainment events.
FUNDING NOTE: The Queensland and Australian Governments have contributed funding for some items listed within the Cairns Regional Council budget.
