Fair and considered budget focuses on Maranoa’s future

Maranoa Regional Council has passed its 2024/25 budget, described by Mayor Wendy Taylor as “fair and very considered" and designed to restore Council’s financials to a sustainable position.

Cr Taylor said that while the $118.8 million budget forecast a deficit it was necessary to restore Council’s financial position long term.

“I say upfront this budget forecasts a deficit. That is not what I wanted but it is the budget that had to happen this year,” Cr Taylor said.

“Four years of rate freezes following a reduction in commercial, industrial and residential rates has proven to be the wrong strategy for our region.

“This budget is about being honest about where we are right now.”

Cr Taylor said this year’s process was the most inclusive she has seen with all Councillors heavily involved in shaping the budget.

“This Council has methodically and rigorously unpacked our financial position and it has been clear to all that we had to develop a new rates strategy,” she said.

“Capping was recommended as being – at most – a short term measure. It has distorted our rating system by being retained for too long.

“Because of the unfairness of the current rating, some rates will go up, but for many rates will come down - some substantially,” Cr Taylor said.

Rates capping has been removed, except for a 50% cap for rural rates. Both categories will see 5% increases this year.

The average increase across residential assessments is $45. Ten per cent of residential ratepayers will see a decrease in their land rates.

The average increase across rural assessments is $244. Forty-five per cent of rural ratepayers will see a decrease in their land rates.

Utility charges haves also increased by 5%.  

Cr Taylor said while the budget was modest overall, it did address the long overdue upgrade of the Denise Spencer Memorial Pool.

“This budget has committed to spend the $15 million-plus needed to rebuild the Denise Spencer Memorial Pool, a generational project that our entire region will benefit from.

“We cannot continue with short-term solutions that have been applied to the pool over the last decade.”

She said the budget also maintains the previous council’s policy that 100 per cent of rural rates go to rural roads.

“$42 million will be spent on more than 50 road and drainage projects that will be undertaken across the Maranoa, including completing the major bitumen extensions on the Bollon, Yuleba – Surat and the Redford Roads.

An additional $2.7 million has been allocated under a capital works program to improve or develop facilities across the region.

“These may be small projects individually, but they are significant investments into our regional communities, including $35,000 to upgrade the Mitchell RSL and $35,000 for the Roma Airport ambulance access auto gate to speed emergency access.” 

The budget also includes a one-off $4.7-million allocation to address issues at the region’s waste facilities.

Mayor Taylor said that she acknowledged from the outset that there would be difficult decisions to be made.  

“But I made the commitment that your new Council will face these issues head on – communicating openly and acting transparently, always with the region’s best interests at heart,” she said.

“Today’s budget delivers on that commitment.”

For a full budget breakdown, see our Council Budget 2024/25 Summary page. 

At a Glance

Revenue:                                        $111.3 million

Capital Expenditure:                     $80.76 million, including $39.4m in projects continuing from 2023/24

Operating Expenditure:                $118.8 million

For any media enquiries, please contact media@maranoa.qld.gov.au.