Lockyer Valley ratepayers have been hit with a 4.69 percent increase in general rates in the 2023/24 council Budget.
It means an extra $2 a week or $60 a year to the household budget.
Out of the record $127.22 million spend, the Budget blends flood recovery capital works with programs and services.
More than $57 million has been earmarked for roads, bridges and drains, $21 million for customer service, admin and public safety, $1.77 million for disaster management and nearly $7.5 million for disaster and building works.
Lockyer councillor Chris Wilson says that the Budget has been very challenging for the council, and that they’ve been grappling with a 30 percent valuation increase across the region.
“Of course like everyone in Australia, battling extreme CPI increases and cost increases to council whilst trying to keep our rates increases to a minimum to help our community.
“It has been a real challenge but we’re confident we’ve had a good outcome for the community,” he says.
Councillor Wilson says it’s the largest ever spend for a Lockyer Valley Council Budget.
“The main part of that expenditure is $55 million is in our capital program, with the big chunk of that for restoration and recovery works.
“So like a lot of places in Southeast Queensland, we’ve had some pretty devastating impacts with the recent flooding events so a big chunk of the Budget is recovery and repair work to our road network and bridges,” he says.
For more details on the 2023/24 Budget click the following link: https://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/our-council/budget
