Gold Coast City Council has unveiled a record $2.2 billion budget for 2023-24.
Rates will rise by 5.5% for residents, which means around $200 added to the average rate bill.
Mayor Tom Tate says the figure keeps with councils’ promise to deliver rate increases below CPI, which is currently 7.42%.
“We have worked tirelessly to find savings in every aspect of our $2.2 billion City Budget,’’ Mayor Tate says.
“Council’s costs to deliver world-class infrastructure and services have also risen substantially, just like the costs for families and small businesses. We have worked to offset as much as we can, ensuring we maintain our 11-year record of low-rate increases,
“Since 2012, every annual rate increase (principal-place-of-residence) has been at, or below, CPI and this year we have delivered a rate increase of 5.5 percent, almost two percent below the official CPI (7.42 percent).”
Main areas where budget money will be spent includes $378 million for transport and infrastructure and $243 million for the Gold Coast’s parks and green spaces.
Mayor Tate says locals had responded ‘in record numbers’ to the draft budget survey.
“More than 6100 locals had their say. The key areas they wanted Council to focus on were: the road network, parks and natural areas, parking and community safety,”
“This budget responds with a record $777 million investment in capital expenditure across all areas of our operations.’’
CORE SERVICES AND OVERALL INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Providing safe and reliable drinking water – $288.68 million
- Waste collection and disposal services – $98.52 million
- Safe and reliable sewerage services – $217.74 million
- Recycling services – $45.58 million
- Transport and infrastructure – $378 million
- Community safety and lifestyle – $204 million
- Green space and environment – $243 million
- Business and economy – $120 million
