Redland City Council’s 2015-16 Budget will provide a cost-of-living reprieve for residents, with an average rates increase of just 0.5per cent for a typical household, including all water and utilities charges.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said under this year’s $275 million Budget a typical Redlands’ household with a property value of $280,000 would see a rates increase equating to about 31 cents a week.

“I am very proud to be able to deliver another Budget that truly provides for our residents, retaining the services and projects needed to take our city forward while keeping cost increases down,” she said.

“This is a great result for our community and while some residents’ rates may be  impacted by a change in State Government property valuations, this is outside Council’s control and we have done everything in our power to again keep rates increases low for the fourth straight budget.

“Our modest rates increase is less than half that of some neighbouring councils such as the Gold Coast (1 per cent average rates rise) and Brisbane (2.5 per cent average rates rise).

“Council has achieved this modest rates increase despite facing a 4 per cent rise in operating costs, mainly due to State Government bulk water increases. We have again put residents first by absorbing these external costs rather than passing them onto residents.

“Council has offset the State Government’s 10 per cent bulk water price increase by reducing the Council-controlled retail component by 30 per cent, saving residents from a massive water price hike and resulting in the Redlands continuing to have some of the cheapest water in South East Queensland.

“This Budget also provides the foundations for a strong financial future for the city, predicting a surplus of $106,000.  This continues our strong financial performance over the previous two years, which resulted in the first surplus in more than a decade in 2013-14 and a predicted surplus this financial year.

“And we have not forgotten our pensioners who will benefit from $2.8 million in rebates, with a full discount of $330.”
 
Cr Williams said that despite battling external cost pressures and reduced funding from other levels of government; Council had increased its total revenue (headline rate) by just 1.99 per cent.

“What is even more pleasing is that 1.94 per cent – or almost all of Council’s increased revenue – will come from growth in our city, with only 0.05 per cent from existing ratepayers,” she said.

“Obviously there is always a balancing act when it comes to growth and providing the infrastructure to accommodate it, but this is an example of how controlled growth can actually be good for the future of the city.”

Cr Williams said the Budget predicted debt would continue to fall, saving ratepayers money and freeing up funds for projects in local neighbourhoods as part of Council’s $78 million capital program.

“Council debt has been more than halved over the last 10 years, meaning less for residents to pay back in interest repayments and more to be spent on projects to benefit future generations of Redlanders,” she said.

“This year’s capital program includes $21 million for congestion-busting road, transport and pedestrian upgrades; making it safer, smoother and faster for residents to get around the city.

“This includes reconstruction of Banfield Lane, Capalaba, and investing in the future of roads that cross our border into Brisbane by funding a cross-border transport study, which will include planning for the future of Rickertts Rd and State-controlled roads.

“The Redlands environment will get a $20 million boost through wastewater, storm water and the upgrade of the Birkdale transfer station.  As a city of islands our wastewater and water treatment capacity is very important to maintaining water quality in our creeks and the bay.

“This is in addition to $11.5 million in operational funding to strengthen the Redlands’ environment, including planting approximately 60,000 trees across the city, providing homes for our wildlife.

“The Redlands’ reputation as a city of islands will also be enhanced, with $19 million committed to marine and foreshore infrastructure including the long-awaited $5 million Macleay Island car park and foreshore upgrade.

“The open spaces and parks Redlanders love so much will receive $8.5 million for upgrades, including $1 million for the Cleveland Aquatic Centre and $600,000 for the Weinam Creek wetland park.”

Highlights of the 2015-16 Budget include:

• A typical Redland household (category 1A owner-occupied property with a property value of about $280,000) will see a modest increase of just 0.5% – about 31 cents a week including all water costs, rates and utility charges.
• A headline rate (Council total revenue) increase of just 1.99 per cent, lower than Brisbane’s CPI (2.60%) and the Redland City Council blended CPI (2.74%) at September 2014.  The majority (1.94%) of this additional revenue will be provided through growth to the city, with only 0.05% as a result of price increases for existing residents.
• A 0.46 per cent decrease in water costs excluding wastewater for an average water user consuming 200kl of water per year.  This is despite a 10 per cent increase in State Government bulk water costs.
• More than $30 million boost for the environment, including $20 million in water, waste water and transfer station upgrades and $11.65 million in operational spending.
• A predicted surplus of $106,000.
• $2.8 million in rates rebates for pensioners, with part or full pension discounts of up to $330.
• Capital program of $78 million.

Visit Council’s website www.redland.qld.gov.au for a full Budget breakdown.

To see what the Budget means for residents go to our Budget Highlights Info graphics

Redland City Council’s 2015-16 Budget will deliver a rates reprieve for Southern Moreton Bay Island residents in addition to more than $9 million in capital projects.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said this year’s Budget would see the rates for a typical SMBI property with a land valuation of $44,000, with average water consumption and including all rates and utilities, fall by almost 5per cent, saving residents about $113 a year.

“This is great news for Southern Moreton Bay Island residents and has been made possible through Council absorbing external cost increases and the removal of the infrastructure levy previously imposed on bay island properties,” she said.

“Obviously residents’ final rates bill will depend on the State Government’s revaluation, which is out of Council’s control, but Council has worked hard to deliver a budget that provides for the entire community, including the islands.

“This rates reprieve has been achieved while handing down a balanced budget which predicts a surplus of $106,000 and falling debt, providing a secure financial future for the city.

“This continues Council’s strong financial performance over the previous two years, including a surplus in 2013-14, a predicted surplus for 2014-15 and ongoing surpluses in future years.

“The Southern Moreton Bay Islands will also continue to have access to TransLink services under this Budget, providing islanders with fantastic transport options including free intra-island ferry services.”

Division 5 Councillor for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and Council’s financial services spokesperson Cr Mark Edwards said the Budget also included important community projects as part of the $78 million capital program.

“This includes more than $5 million for the Macleay Island car park and foreshore upgrade.  This project will deliver additional car parking, new recreational boat ramp and improved beach access,” he said.

“The community has been calling for this project for years, so residents will be very pleased to see it included in the Budget.

“We have also committed $1 million for sealing roads on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, taking Council’s total roads commitment to $4 million over the past three years.

“This work will see Council use its new ‘green sealing’ method, which has already seen more than nine kilometres of road across 29 bay island roads during the last year.  Residents have told us they need this work completed faster and we have listened by implementing this green sealing program.

“An $800,000 upgrade of the Macleay Island barge ramp will also be completed, a much-needed project that will provide a safer more reliable barge landing.

“Work will also be completed on the Russell Island sports and resilience centre which began recently.”

Visit Council’s website www.redland.qld.gov.au for a full Budget breakdown.

To see what the Budget means for residents go to our Budget Highlights Info graphics

The Redlands’ natural environment will be enhanced by more than $30 million in spending in today’s Council budget.

The allocations include a total of $11.65 million for a variety of ongoing environmental operations, as well as $20 million in water, waste water and waste upgrades which will help boost the quality of water which flows into Moreton Bay.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council recognised the community’s strong affinity with the natural environment through a range of important fauna and flora programs.

“These range from revegetation and erosion-control projects to restore areas of the Redlands to their former glory to clean-ups, fire management and the great work of our environmental centre crew at IndigiScapes,’’ Cr Williams said.

“Through these programs we are continuing to protect and manage large tracts of bushland and nurture our local flora and fauna, particularly koalas.

“This financial year we will plant another 60,000 trees, many of them koala favourites, adding to the 38,000 koala food trees we have planted in the past five years.

“Council also recently completed koala corridor mapping to ensure koala trees are planted in the right locations and is actively supporting the work of Professor Peter Timms, who is currently testing a chlamydia vaccine on koalas in the Redlands.

“Council has also agreed to an immediate review of the requirements for dog owners in koala areas under the provisions of our Local Laws.”

Cr Williams said Council was very appreciative of the involvement of the community in supporting the environment.

“With Council’s commitment, the efforts of our Bushcare volunteers and residents through programs such as our Land for Wildlife, Voluntary Conservation and Koala Conservation agreements, as well as the Waterways Extension and Your Backyard Garden programs are making a real difference,’’ she said.

“We recognise that the demands of a growing city brings with it environmental issues which need to be addressed and we do not shy away from that, and that includes properly resourcing the care and control of our public conservation estate which now covers close to 10,000 hectares.

“We remain committed to protecting pristine bushland and restoring other priority areas, as well as working with our many passionate and enthusiastic landholders to improve land management and conservation.

“That also extends to striving for best practice within our water and waste operations to ensure their impact is minimal.  The budget invests in upgrading waste water treatment operations at Point Lookout and Thorneside, as well as a $1.2 million upgrade at Birkdale transfer station.’’

Cr Williams said Council had also budgeted almost $300,000 for track and trail maintenance across the City’s conservation estate.

“This  includes vehicular tracks, mountain bike tracks, horse trails,  pedestrian tracks and boardwalks  so residents and visitors can enjoy walking and riding in the wild,’’ Cr Williams said.

Visit Council’s website www.redland.qld.gov.au for a full Budget breakdown.

To see what the Budget means for residents go to our Budget Highlights Info graphics

Redland City Council will spend more than $21 million to upgrade roads, transport and pedestrian paths, making it easier, safer and faster for residents to get around the city.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the Council’s 2015-16 Budget included more than
$8 million to resurface local streets.

“Getting around the city safely and quickly is important to residents and Council has responded by adopting a capital program that will see road and transport upgrades provided for future generations,” she said.

“No-one wants potholes, and this year’s budget will include more than $8 million for resurfacing local streets.  This takes our total commitment to resurfacing local roads to almost $17 million over two years.

“There is $900,000 for reconstruction of Banfield Lane, Capalaba, and a further $1 million for Council’s successful green sealing of Southern Moreton Bay Island roads to reduce dust.”

Cr Williams said the Budget also included funding for a cross-border transport strategy to plan for the future of roads between the Redlands and Brisbane.

“Roads don’t just stop when they get to the city boundary so this project will develop a plan for the future of these roads to ensure they can cope with the extra residents who are expected to use them,” she said.

“It will include planning for the future of congested Rickertts Road, as well as the State Government-controlled Old Cleveland Road and Mt Cotton Road.”

Council’s infrastructure spokesperson Cr Paul Gleeson said the Budget not only committed to upgrading local roads, but also providing improved pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, to encourage alternative forms of transport.

“Almost $5 million will be spent upgrading footpaths, cycle ways and bus stops, encouraging residents to leave their car at home,” he said.

“There will be almost $1 million spent on new bike paths, including $650,000 to construct the missing link in the Moreton Bay Cycle way (MBC).  This 800 metre cycle way along Redland Bay Road in Thornlands will combine with developer contributed works to provide a continuous 12 kilometre cycleway from Cleveland to Victoria Point.

“The Moreton Bay Cycleway is a 150 kilometre multi-million-dollar project that will run from Bribie Island to Redland Bay via the new Gateway Bridge bikeway, and will become the longest cycleway on the east coast of Australia.

“This year’s capital program will also include a new 300 metre footpath along Valley, Way Mt Cotton, completing a missing link in the pedestrian and cycling network and improving access for residents to the only shopping centre in the area and Mount Cotton Community Park.”

Key transport projects:

• Resurfacing Program:                                      $8 million
• Southern Moreton Bay Island road upgrades  $1 million
• Banfield Lane Reconstruction                          $900,000
• Lighting Upgrade – Midjimberry Rd, NSI           $102,270
• James Street Service Turning Facility             $100,000
• Bus stop upgrades                                          $1.2 million
• Moreton Bay Cycle way (Cleveland to Victoria Point)  $650,000
• Cycle way Program Valley Way Trunk Path Link, Mt Cotton  $160,000
• Footpath  Program Wellington – McCartney Sts,  Ormiston  $140,000

Visit Council’s website www.redland.qld.gov.au for a full Budget breakdown.

To see what the Budget means for residents go to our Budget Highlights Info graphics

Council’s 2015-16 Budget delivers residents with a cost of living reprieve, with Council absorbing millions of dollars in external costs rather than passing them on to residents.

View the 2015-16 Budget Highlights video

Read the Budget 2015-16 media releases