THE Redland budget will see rates increase by an average 1.7 per cent or about $23 a year, as council records a low-debt status.
This comes after mayor Karen Williams handed down council's $327 million 2021-22 budget today.
The budget matches last year's record spend, and includes a $70 million-plus capital investment that features projects to help Redlands recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Logan and Gold Coast City residents saw rate hikes of 2.5 per cent.
Cr Williams said debt was not an issue for the city with fewer than $40 million on the books.
"The bottom line hasn't been helped by yet another increase in the state government's bulk water price, which has gone up another 3.5 per cent after years of big rises to have more than doubled since 2012, and increases in areas such as the cost of recycling," she said.
Cr Williams said increases in water, waste, utility and other charges reflected increased costs faced by council in providing essential services, including major sewerage and waste water treatment works.
"We need to spend $13 million this financial year on essential water, waste and wastewater projects alone to ensure we maintain our high standard of service delivery," Cr Williams said.
Pensioners will get rates and utilities' rebates of almost $3.5 million, with rates rebates of $335 a year for a full pensioners or $167.50 for a part-pensioner.
Council has also restructured the way it funds environmental management with a new charge replacing the environment charge.
The previous levy for the environment charge was $116.32 per annum.
The new charge of $148.92 per year will cover coastal and environment management.
"For less than $3 a week, the charge will support initiatives such as shoreline erosion management and our Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy, as well as continuing our vital environmental programs," Cr Williams said.
The budget recorded a small operating surplus of $43,000.
"This position of a projected small operating surplus has been achieved during testing times and the fact we expect to be in the black this financial year is a position, I am sure, would be envied by many other Queensland councils."
Cr Williams said council would step up its efforts for further funding from the state and federal governments to take pressure off ratepayers.
Capital expenditure program at a glance:
- $25 million for transport, roads and traffic projects
- $13 million for water, waste and wastewater projects
- $8 million for other capital works projects, including $2 million for land acquisitions
- $8 million for marine and foreshore projects, including canal and breakwater works
- $8 million for infrastructure projects such as transport, buildings and storm water
- $7 million for parks, open space and conservation
- $ 1 million for community and cultural development
