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Cairns Regional Council e-news - Budget Special Edition, 27 June 2016
Mayor delivers 2016-17 Budget
I am pleased today to present Cairns Regional Council’s Budget for 2016-2017 - one that will again provide for important community infrastructure without placing an undue burden upon our ratepayers. It delivers minimum rate increases and seeks to drive confidence in the community and stimulate our economy. We have done that with a record Capital Works program of $178.5 million including $36 million for our hallmark project, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre while keeping the rate rise to just 1.5% for the third consecutive year.
- Mayor Bob Manning
Record capital works program
CRC's largest capital works program to date is part of a three-year program that is expected to exceed $470 million. Council will spend $61.7 million over two years to build the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), including nearly $36m in the next 12 months. In total, a massive $53.5 million will be spent on transport infrastructure in 2016-17, including more than $10 million to complete stage 2 of the Shields Street Heart. This will be accompanied by $1.5m over two years to upgrade footpaths in the CBD. The suburbs are also well catered for, with $6.3m in suburban enhancement projects and a further $9.37m for reseals, overlays and pavement rehabilitation to improve the region’s roads. Read more
Rates kept to 1.5% for third year
Cairns Regional Council has handed down an average rates increase of just 1.5 per cent for a third consecutive year. The minimal increase is the result of ongoing cost savings within Council and a $6.5 million operating surplus. Rising land values have been offset by a lower rate-in-the-dollar across residential and commercial rating categories. Two-thirds of properties will either have an increase of 1.5% or less, or will see a reduction in their rates. The minimum general rate will rise by $12.70 to $856.90 for the year. Sewerage, cleansing and water access charges will also rise by just 1.5 per cent, or a combined $20.34 a year. Residential water usages charges will rise by two cents to $1.15 per kilolitre. This equates to about $5 a year based on average household usage. Read more
Big spending on cultural facilities
More than $50 million will be spent on cultural facilities and activities in 2016-17, including the CPAC construction and completion of Munro Martin Parklands. “This is the biggest investment there has ever been in Cairns’ arts identity,” Mayor Bob Manning said of the spend. Refurbishment of the School of Arts will be completed in 2016-17, with $5.46m allocated to complete the $8.7m project. A further $1.3m will complete the fit-out for the building’s primary tenant, the Cairns Museum. Read more about culture and sport spending
Cycling improvements
A total $3.57m will be spent in 2016-17 on providing and maintaining cycling infrastructure, including $500,000 to build an underpass to link the Southern Cycleway with the western side of the Bruce Highway at Woree. Other cycleway projects, such as at Mann Street ($968,000) and the Ryan Weare Park bridge ($900,000) will particularly benefit students travelling to and from school. Planning works will continue on the Palm Cove to Trinity Beach cycleway, with $150,000 allocated to complete the design and a further $5 million to be spent on construction over two years.
Non-profit groups to benefit
Not-for profit organisations that do not receive income from gambling will be automatically eligible for a 100 per cent discount on their general rate under the Rates Based Financial Assistance scheme. Previously, varying levels of assistance existed for difference types of organisations. The amended policy gives equal treatment to all clubs and organisations, provided they do not own poker machines or other gambling facilities. Sixty-one local organisations are expected to benefit from the new arrangements.
Parks and playgrounds
Nearly $13 million will be spent on parks and playgrounds throughout the region, including mowing, maintenance and new equipment. This includes $100,000 for two new dog agility parks; $90,000 for a new suburban green gym at Hussey Park in Woree; and replacement of equipment on the Trinity Beach foreshore. Council will work with the Yorkeys Knob Community Association to install fitness equipment on the Yorkeys foreshore. New playgrounds are planned for White Rock, Redlynch and Bayview Heights.
Grants support community
More than $6 million in grants will support events and activities throughout the Cairns region. This includes $3.4m to support economic development and tourism and about $1m to support major sporting events. The pool for the Events Grants program, which supports local, regional and major events, has been increased by more than $130,000. Grants will also be made available through the Sustainability, Cultural Infrastructure and Go Clubs grant streams.
All-abilities herb garden
Council will work with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens to establish an all-abilities herb and spice garden at Centenary Lakes. The project includes construction of an accessible pathway leading to raised garden beds featuring an array of herbs, spices and other edible plants. The pathway will include sections of boardwalk and differently textured surfaces and will connect Greenslopes Street to the main pathway system that runs through Centenary Lakes. Council has allocated $106,000 to the project to combine with the Friends’ contribution of $35,000 to via a grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Fees and charges review
A review of Council’s fees and charges is expected to slash hundreds of existing fees from the books. Currently, Council has 1263 individual fees and charges. The aim of the review is to reduce the number of fees by up to 500 and to rationalise the remaining charges into nine categories – down from 28. A new Fees and Charges Schedule has not been adopted with this budget due to the review, with a recommendation instead likely to go to Council in September. All current fees and charges remain in place until the review is completed.
Want to know more about the 2016-17 Budget? You can view the full information kit on Cairns Regional Council's website