No Images? Click here Cairns Regional Council e-news - Volume 38, 28 June 2018Council adopts balanced budgetCairns Regional Council has adopted a balanced budget worth $301 million for the 2018-19 financial year. With a $165.7 million capital works program and a modest rates rise matching CPI, the budget focuses on providing quality infrastructure, while enhancing liveability and providing opportunities for regional economic growth. Full details Budget invests in communityAcross the next 12 months, Council will spend $374 million in the community through materials and services associated with delivering capital works, maintenance, renewals and other services. Tourism has again been recognised as the driving force behind Cairns’ economy and Council will support this with $3.4m toward marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. A further $1.1m will support major sporting and cultural events that will deliver an economic benefit to the region, including the Cairns Adventure Festival and IRONMAN Asia-Pacific, Targa Great Barrier Reef and the Para Pan-Pacific Swimming Championships. The capital works program includes $17.7m to complete the Cairns Performing Arts Centre and $2.1m to commence works to refurbish the Heritage-listed former Cairns Courthouse as part of a plan to create a gallery precinct. Initial works will include replacement of the roof, repairs to walls and floors, painting, and upgrading of the air-conditioning and electrical systems. Nearly $80m will be spent on water, sewerage and transport infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population. Read more Rates increase by CPIGeneral rates and utility charges for Cairns region ratepayers will rise by 1.7 per cent, in line with CPI. The minimum rate, which is applied to about 25,000 households, will rise by just $14.80 for the year. The increase in charges for waste collection, sewerage and water access have also been kept to CPI. Combined, the annual utility access charges will rise by $23.80 and residential water use increases by 2 cents per kilolitre. Funds for cycleway, community spacesAlmost $13m will be invested during the next two years toward the creation of an unbroken cycle link from Cairns city to Palm Cove. Two major stages of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail will take shape, with $7.7m to be spent in 2018-19 to fund works between Trinity Beach and Palm Cove, plus the detailed design and start of construction of the Barr Creek bridge to connect Machans Beach and Holloways Beach. In total, $29m will be spent on improvements to parks, sporting facilities, recreational areas, boat ramps and cycle ways to enhance liveability and foster an active community. Dog owners will have more places to play with their pooches, with $220,000 allocated to create six new off-leash parks. In addition, the first stage of upgrades to Barron Waters Park will include a dedicated off-leash area with car parking at a cost of $260,000. Read more More capital worksAbout $50m will be spent this year on water and wastewater infrastructure, plus $27m on transport improvements. More than $5.6 million will be spent on flood mitigation works such as drain widening, construction of retaining walls and redirecting stormwater flow. Car parking will be boosted, with $3.8m to be spent on creating additional car parking spaces in North Cairns. The additional spaces will be gained through the creation of centre median parking and realignment of kerbside parking to 90 degrees. About $2.3m will be spent on footpaths. An upgrade of O’Brien Road at Smithfield will be completed by the end of 2018, and $2.4m worth of safety improvements will be undertaken at Mill Road, Edmonton. Read more New Fees and Charges Schedule from 1 JulyCouncil’s new Fees and Charges Schedule will take effect on 1 July, with a 4 per cent increase to be implemented across most fees and charges. The increase, which was adopted by Council in May, is in accordance with Council’s approach to increase fees and charges every second year. Exceptions to the standard increase include the gate fee charged for accepting recyclable materials from other local government areas and commercial collection businesses. The cost of headstone installation at cemeteries has been halved, as has the fee for family hire of facilities at high-profile parks, such as the Cairns Esplanade. On-street and casual parking fees will remain unchanged until the end of 2018, with a 20c/hour increase to apply from 1 January 2019, as per the resolution of Council last year to apply annual increases until 2021.
Upcoming Council market days
Celebrate urban artCome along to Redlynch's Tenni Skate Park on Friday 29 June to celebrate the completion of the latest Youth Urban Art Project. Free games, music and activities, including art workshops from 4pm to 5.30pm. NRL action in CairnsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs will host the North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park this Sunday 1 July. Get your tickets now to be part of the NRL action right here in Cairns. Gates open at 1.40pm with a curtain raiser between the U19 Atherton Roosters and Ivanhoe Knights to start at 1.55pm. Main game kick-off is 4.10pm. Australian Ballet coming to CairnsBallet's most charming comedy will grace the stage of Munro Martin Parklands when The Australian Ballet brings Coppélia to Cairns in August. Tickets are on sale for this special event as part of The Australian Ballet’s Regional Tour. Strictly limited to 2000 tickets to ensure optimal sight lines - so be quick! In addition to the performance, The Australian Ballet will host a free morning of classes, giveaways, prizes and a celebration of all things ballet. No prior ballet experience necessary. Register now TNQ Innovation Awards now openEntries are now open for the Tropical North Queensland Innovation Awards (TNQIA). Innovators and Entrepreneurs are invited to submit their products, services or products in six categories:
Entries will remain open until 15 August, with judging to commence immediately after the closing date. For more information or to submit an entry, visit www.innovateTNQ.com.au. Compete on the ReefRegistrations are open for the 2019 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games, which will be held in Cairns on 23-26 May 2019. Last year, the Games attracted more than 1200 visitors to the region, as well as hundreds of local athletes. The Games will include a full social program, supported by The Jack hotel. To stay up to date on available sports and activities, keep an eye on the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games Facebook page. To register, visit www.gbrmg.com.au. The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games are presented by Cairns Regional Council. with support from the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland. |