Toowoomba residents face a $200 rate increase after the Toowoomba Regional Council handed down its 2024-25 Budget this week.
What The People Say
Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said “the Council’s $703.6 million financial plan would allow it to maintain and upgrade existing facilities and services while planning for a brighter future for current and successive generations.”
“We remain mindful of the cost-of-living pressures that continue to challenge families right across the Toowoomba Region,” Mr McDonald said. “That is why we’ve delivered a cautious and considered financial plan with a responsible rate rise.
The general rate will rise 5% with the majority of urban residential ratepayers facing an average increase of $3.91 per week, and keeping in mind that changes will, of course, depend on individual circumstances.”
The council will spend $231 million on capital projects while it has forecasted a surplus of $937,000.
The Big Picture
2024-25 Budget Highlights
- A $703.6 million Budget
- A 5% increase to the general rate (net overall increase in rates and charges of 5.77% for an urban residential property). The majority of urban residential ratepayers will have an average increase of $203.24 a year, or $3.91 a week, after discount, which includes all rates and charges, including water and wastewater charges.
- Operational (service delivery) expenditure of $472.2 million
- A capital (infrastructure) program of $231.4 million
Zooming In
Major Areas of Capital Expenditure:
- $110 million to start construction of the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement
- $33.5 million for water and wastewater projects (excluding Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement project)
- $22.7 million for roads, drainage, footpaths, and bikeways
- $22.5 million to complete the 2022 DFRA Flood Recovery Program
- $10.3 million for parks and recreation projects
- $7.9 million for waste services
- $6.4 million for community services and facilities
- $3.3 million for business strategy and operations
Local Impact
Water and Waste:
- $5.5 million for Stage Three of the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre vertical expansion
- $3.3 million for the continued roll-out of smart water meters across the Region
- $2.5 million for preliminary works in the establishment of the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline
- $1.6 million committed to upgrading the Kingsthorpe Reservoir to meet growth demands
- $1.5 million committed for a pipeline to connect Vale View to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply
Environment and Community Services:
- $2.4 million for the replacement of the Kearneys Spring Recreation Reserve Clubhouse and amenities, which services a range of user groups, including touch football and softball
- $840,000 to renew playground areas at parks in Pittsworth, Meringandan, Cooby Dam, and Rangeville
- $800,000 for a skate park upgrade to Joseph J Leadbetter Park at Centenary Heights
- $600,000 to progress detailed design and further development of the Toowoomba Escarpment Mountain Bike Project
- $500,000 committed to the Lucy Street Park at Cambooya, including construction of a new activity node, paths, and visitor facilities
- $300,000 committed to a business case exploring options for the future location and functionality of the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery to help deliver elements of the Connecting through Culture project
