MEDIA RELEASE - BARCALDINE REGIONAL COUNCIL - 2019 BUDGET

MEDIA RELEASE

Barcaldine Regional Council - 2019 Budget

Barcaldine Regional Council adopted its 2019 budget at its General Meeting held on Wednesday 27 June 2018.

Ratepayers can expect an overall average rate increase of 2.00% for the 2019 financial year.

Mayor Rob Chandler said: “This year will see the completion of some significant projects including the Barcaldine Recreation Park, internal fitout of the Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre, a new Aramac Showground Ablution Block, upgrades to the Medical Centre in Jericho and upgrade of the dining area at the Alpha Showground.

Council will be performing some significant Main Roads contracts in the coming year including the Clermont-Alpha Road, Muttaburra-Aramac Road, Barcaldine-Aramac Road and Torrens Creek Road. This will ensure our works crews are fully employed.

Planned town streets upgrades include Acacia St in Barcaldine, Porter St and McAuliffe St in Aramac, Edkins St and Sword St in Muttaburra and Burns St and Moore St in Alpha.

Council has also budgeted $2.4m for rural road upgrades including concrete floodways.

Due to the ongoing drought, Council has adopted a new excess water charge methodology. This should provide some relief to residents having difficulty in maintaining their gardens.”

2019 BUDGET SNAPSHOT:

Statement of Cashflows

Operating Income                                        $ 28.61m

Capital Income                                            $   7.18m

Total Income                                              $ 35.79m

Operating Expenditure                                $ 24.55m

Capital Expenditure                                    $ 16.65m

Total Expenditure                                     $ 41.20m

Council will partially fund its capital works program from borrowings of $3.6m and the balance from cash reserves.

Council expects to achieve a year end cash balance of $21m.

General Rates - per annum

Alpha Town                           $ 500.00 minimum or 0.73 cents in $

Jericho Town                        $ 474.00 minimum or 0.73 cents in $

Aramac Town                       $ 421.00 minimum or 0.73 cents in $

Muttaburra Town                  $ 400.00 minimum or 0.73 cents in $

Barcaldine Town                  $ 538.00 minimum or 0.73 cents in $

Rural Areas                          $ 455.00 minimum or 0.73 cents in $

Sewerage Charge - per annum

Aramac/Muttaburra/Barcaldine     $ 623.00

Water Charge - per annum

Alpha and Jericho                         $ 694.60

Aramac and Muttaburra                $ 530.40

Barcaldine                                     $ 699.00

Excess Water – Alpha and Jericho    – 60 cents per kilolitre

Excess Water – Barcaldine                – 39 cents for first 900 kilolitres

                                                           – 60 cents over 900 kilolitres

Refuse Charge - per annum

Waste Management Charge          $  82.40

Refuse Collection Charge              $185.80

Pensioner Rebates

Pensioners will continue to receive a 30% Council rebate on rates with a maximum Council rebate of $394 per annum. Pensioners also receive a $200 State Government rebate.

Rates Notices

Rates will be payable by two instalments and will be due for payment on 22 October 2018 and 27 May 2019.

Roadworks

Alpha - Town Street upgrades                            $   310,000

Aramac - Town Street upgrades                         $1,115,000

Barcaldine - Town Street upgrades                    $1,190,000

Muttaburra - Town Street upgrades                    $   700,000

Regional Town Street Maintenance                    $   446,000

Rural Roads maintenance and upgrades            $5,566,800

TOTAL COUNCIL ROADWORKS                      $9,327,800

Operating Costs

Water Supply - $797,300

Sewerage - $454,472

Waste Management - $365,000

Rural Services - $755,000

Parks and Gardens - $1,298,000

Libraries - $281,000

Swimming Pools - $424,012

Sport & Recreation Facilities - $595,500

Halls, Museums and Galleries - $214,000

Community Care Services - $1,108,500

Events and Tourism - $556,000

Cultural Activities - $35,500  

Airports - $311,000

Donations to Community Organizations - $235,000

Cemeteries - $127,000

Banks, Post Office and RTC - $218,500

For further information please contact:           Mayor - Rob Chandler:     0427 512 314

                                                                             CEO – Steven Boxall:        07 4651 5625