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In Focus, 26 June 2014
Dear reader, welcome to the latest edition of In Focus, full of news, events and opportunities from your council.
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Mayor's Message
This week, I had the pleasure of handing down this Council's second consecutive balanced budget.
This was a product of two-year focus on improving the organisation's financial sustainability whilst delivering critical new infrastructure and meeting the community's expectations in managing and improving our existing assets.
Among the achievments of this Budget is the smallest rate increase in six years, with nearly three-quarters of ratepayers to receive an increase of 1.6% or less when utility charges are included.
This Budget not only reflects the positive changes this organisation has implemented in the past two years, but provides for a sustainable local government.
Please scroll down to read more about this week's Council Budget or click through to view the full suite of Budget documents.
Read the Mayor's Budget Message in full
Mayor Bob Manning
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Budget balance delivered
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Cairns Regional Council has handed down its second consecutive balanced budget, complete with a $121.6 million capital works program and a minimal rate increase of just 1.5 per cent.
Mayor Bob Manning said the $276.8 million operating budget was the product of two years of hard work to turn Council's financial position from a $6.6 million deficit to a $6.5 million surplus at the end of 2013-14.
"This is the result of a concerted effort to turn around Council's fiscal position and to deliver efficient and accountable governance," Cr Manning said.
"We went into this Budget intent on keeping any rate increase to an absolute minimum. An increase of 1.5 per cent allows us to meet community service expectations and deliver a quality capital works program, as well as investment in economic growth."
Council will invest $200 million in materials and services associated with delivering a $121.6 million capital works program, renewals and other services to the community.
"This is a balanced budget not only by the bottom line, but by every angle," Cr Manning said. "We are investing in major projects, critical infrastructure, community service and economic development while maintaining a strong financial position.
"More importantly, we have established a sustainable financial direction that will allow us to continue to deliver balanced budgets in subsequent years without sacrificing capital expenditure or the need for large rate increases."
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Water leak rebate scheme
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A new water leakage rebate policy has been adopted with the 2014-15 Budget, essentially providing an insurance scheme for all residential ratepayers.
A small increase of $2.85 has been applied to the water access charge to allow Council to provide assistance to residents in the event that a concealed leak on private property results in a significant increase in water usage charges.
A 50 per cent rebate will apply to water usage charges exceeding the property average by more than $200. This will be capped at a maximum ratepayer contribution of $800 more than their average account.
As an example, if a $1000 water bill is received by a household that usually averages $60 per bill, a discount of $370 would apply. The household average is calculated across three equivalent billing periods.
The rebate will be offered once the leak has been repaired and an invoice from a licenced plumber must be provided. The policy also covers not-for-profit organisations but does not apply to commercial customers.
Applications for the rebate will be accepted for water invoices issued on or after 1 July. To qualify for the rebate, the leak must have been repaired by a licenced plumber within 14 days of a water account being issued or other notification of a leak by Council.
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$121m in capital works
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The revitalisation of Cairns' city centre will continue in 2014-15 as part of a $121.6 million capital works program.
The opening of Lake Street under the City Centre Alive program will be completed in September. Council has allocated $6.2 million to finish the $20 million project.
Once Lake Street is complete, focus will shift to Shields Street. Though the scope and timeframe of the Shields Street Heart project is subject to the outcomes of the current public consultation program, an initial allocation of $2.5 million has been included in the 2014-15 Budget to start construction.
The Shields Street Heart will complement the new Lake Street by creating a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare with tropical features.
In other major projects, the new Machans Beach seawall is now well under way, with the first two stages to be finished in 2014-15. A total of $11.3 million will be spent over two years to complete the 1.3km structure.
Transport infrastructure spending will total nearly $21 million.
More than $36 million will be spend on water and waste infrastructure. Sport and recreation infrastructure spending will total $22 million.
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Spending on libraries
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Gordonvale Library will receive a full refurbishment in the 2014-15 financial year, creating more space and a user-friendly layout as part of a $121.6 million capital works program.
"Walls will be knocked out and the space completely re-arranged to bring a whole new look and feel to the library," Mayor Bob Manning said.
This will also result in an extra 60 square metres of usable public space, which will be used for additional computer stations and children's activities.
"Self-serve technology will also be installed, but the intimate customer service that Gordonvale Library is known for will certainly remain."
In total, more than $2.15 million in capital expenditure will be spent on libraries, including $763,000 in new stock to keep the expansive collection up to date. This year's stock purchase will consist of about 25,000 items, including 13,500 books, 5000 DVDs, 3000 magazines, 1000 CDs and 2500 e-books, e-audio and talking books.
More spending on community and cultural infrastructure
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Tourism funding doubled
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Growing the Cairns economy through major events and tourism funding is part of an increased focus on attracting visitors to the region.
Funding to the region's peak tourism industry body, Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), will double to $2 million.
"TTNQ have the expertise to best market our region as a destination and we see supporting the organisation in its role as vital to the future growth of our largest industry," Mayor Bob Manning said.
"On the back of the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Cairns last month, it's important that we capitalise on the opportunities that have been presented and TTNQ are the best people to make sure this happens."
More than $1 million has been allocated to support major events, including the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival and Mountain Bike World Cup. Council has put aside $250,000 for logistical and other support in relation to the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in September.
To assist local businesses that are embarking on projects that will benefit the Cairns economy, $165,000 in grants will be made available under the Economic Diversification Fund and the Industry Development Fund.
Council has also confirmed its support for the TNQ20 Business Excellence and Tropical Innovation Awards and associated industry development programs. Council has allocated $250,000 to establish a CBD Revitalisation Incentives Scheme in conjunction with stakeholders.
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Seniors' garden comp
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Entries for the 2014 Seniors Week Garden Competition will open next Tuesday.
There will be eight categories to enter, including Best Veggie Garden, Most Colourful Garden and Best Flat/Unit/Townhouse Garden.
The competition is part of Council's annual Seniors Week program, which celebrates the contributions of older members of our community.
Seniors Week will be celebrated on 16-24 August. More information on other Seniors Week activities will be available closer to the event.
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EMU Open Day
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RSPCA Qld’s EMU (Educational Mobile Unit) will open its doors to the public this Saturday 28 June.
Presented by Cairns Regional Council, the free open day will feature computer games and activities, displays, RSPCA campaign information, toys and more.
One of the key objectives of the program is to teach children and their families about the responsibilities of pet ownership. Qualified staff to answer questions on all things RSPCA and animal welfare related.
The Community Open Day will provide all residents with the opportunity to explore the EMU and engage in a range of fun and educational activities. Find the van on the Cairns Esplanade near the skate plaza between 10am and 2pm. Admission is free.
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Celebrate Sister Cities Day
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Celebrate Cairns' Sister Cities relationships with cultural performances and displays at the Cairns Sister Cities National Day on Sautrday 5 July.
Cairns has seven Sister Cities: Riga in Latvia, Lae in Papua New Guinea, Minami and Oyama in Japan, Scottsdale in Arizona USA, Sidney in Canada and Zhanjiang in China.
The winners of the Sister Cities Drawing and Writing Competitions will be announced at the National Day celebrations and there will be food and drinks available. Celebrations will take place at the Sister Cities Barbecue on the Eastern Events Lawn (adjacent to The Pier).
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RADF grants awarded
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More than $60,000 in grants have been presented to 13 local projects in the latest round of Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants.
A variety of artistic mediums are represented in the successful applicants, including music, photography, theatre, indigenous dance, oral history and even aerial performance.
"It is always pleasing to see the diversity that exists within our arts community and the passion with which individuals approach their projects," Mayor Bob Manning said.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and regional council. View successful projects
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