RATES will increase 5 per cent across the Sunshine Coast Council following the release of the 2024/25 local budget.
The majority of owner-occupiers will remain on the minimum general rate of $1,477 per annum – an increase of $70.50 per annum (5 per cent) or $1.36 per week.
Overall, rates and charges, including waste and levies, for the majority of owner occupiers on the minimum general rate will increase by less than $2 a week to $2053 per annum.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, said her first budget as mayor said “Community is at the heart of every decision made in this Budget”.
“We are putting community first, with a focus on community spaces, parklands and infrastructure for all.
“We’re improving transport, roads, pathways and community facilities, ensuring smoother travel and better sports and community spaces.
2024 BUDGET DIVISION 1
“Our residents will be supported thanks to increased pensioner rates concessions, initiatives for housing and family violence prevention and programs to shape a healthy, connected community.
“We’ve also made changes to our rate charges, to ensure fairness despite the State’s increased property valuations.
Cr Natoli said there would be more funds for Council’s vast outdoor operations, which cared for almost 1100 hectares of parklands and reserves – equivalent to almost 1500 football fields.
“This Budget is a result of listening and responding to what our community wants – it is designed to reduce wait times for trees to be trimmed and grass to be mowed,” she said.
“In fact, over the next four years, we will boost anticipated spending by almost $28 million, investing in our parks and gardens, including increasing our arborist activities.”
Cr Natoli said the Budget would target the small things that made a big difference to people’s lives each day.
“This will range from creating pathways, cycleways and footbridges that will keep us healthy and connected, to shaping beautiful outdoor spaces so we can better bond with nature and each other,” she said.
“There is also a greater investment in improving our roads by identifying and fixing potholes more swiftly and by significantly increasing our investment in sealing gravel roads in our hinterland – this year allocating $8 million, up from $5 million.”
“This Budget understands that many in our community have been impacted by cost-of-living pressures affecting so many across our nation,” Cr Natoli said.
“While Council is required, by law, to use the State Government’s valuation figures to calculate the general rate, we have made adjustments to mitigate the full impact of the valuation increase.
“More than 60 per cent of residential ratepayers pay the minimum general rate.
“This has been balanced with the challenge of accommodating the increasing costs of delivering infrastructure and services.”
All eligible pensioners will benefit from a 5 per cent increase in their pensioner rate concession, collectively saving our pensioners $4.6 million.
“This is aimed to help those in our community who are unable to increase their incomes to offset cost-of-living pressures.
“A single pensioner on a full pension will now receive $304 per year, while a pensioner couple on a full pension will receive $238 per year.
“Single and couple part pensioners will now receive $152 and $87 per year, respectively.
“And in good news for pensioners who have just purchased a home on the Sunshine Coast – they will now be immediately eligible for the pensioner rate concession as we have waived the three-year waiting period.
FAST FACTS:
This Budget includes:
· $391 million to develop a strong community
· $289 million to maintain and enhance our environment and liveability
· $37 million to build our resilient economy
· $140 million to deliver service excellence.
Services and program highlights:
· $29.2 million for road maintenance of sealed and unsealed roads
· $7.6 million for dredging and beach renourishment works
· $13.2 million for libraries and a further $4 million for our book replacement program
· $19.7 million for park, turf and landscape maintenance
· $2.4 million for our sponsorship of major events
· $4 million for grants and partnerships.
Key local projects in Council’s $283 million Capital Works Program include:
· $1.5 million for Commissioners Flat Road, Peachester for road safety
· $2.9 million to continue work on Maleny Business Centre Streetscape works, Maple Street+
· $27.2 million to finalise construction of the new district library and community meeting space at Caloundra