Gold Coast ratepayers will be slugged with an average rate increase of 4.7 per cent while the 10 per cent discount for paying on time will remain.
Council has today handed down the city’s $2.7 billion budget almost a week late after some last-minute changes.
The 4.7 per cent average rate increase is in line with inflation, after a hike of 5.7 per cent had earlier been flagged.
“It is a record 15 consecutive years of low rates. This gives certainty to household budgets,” Mayor Tom Tate said.
“Unlike our federal government, we have not changed our position. Families can rely on us.”
Council, in special budget meetings, had voted to change the on-time discount before public backlash forced councillors to go back to the drawing board.
The discount will now stay, which Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel says is important given the uncertainty caused by the federal budget.
“If there was ever a time for our budget to be very consistent and to provide continuity, this had to be the year,” Cr Hammel said.
“And I think Gold Coasters, and especially the Gold Coast business community, will support that the discount remains in place.”
The $298 pensioner rebate will also remain.
The budget includes a massive $543 million on transport and infrastructure, including $101 million for the planned Advanced Recovery Resource Centre, $51 million for stormwater infrastructure, and $78 million to upgrade sewerage treatment plants at Pimpama and Elanora.
Council has allocated $240 million for the city environment, parks and green spaces, with $29 million for beaches and waterways, $18.3 million to pay for the Pizzey Park Masterplan and $2.5 million for the Paradise Point Parklands upgrade.
The city’s economy and events sector will get $146 million, with $25 million earmarked for the Gold Coast Civic Music Hall in Surfers Paradise and $6 million to upgrade the amphitheatre at HOTA.
However, residents will be slugged with a range of fees to help the budget bottom line.
A new $5 levy for the city’s emergency services is being introduced to help pay for the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service.
“We want our SES volunteers to be in the best buildings possible. Our SES sheds are mainly 1980s, 1990s sheds. They’re not fit-for-purpose for how the SES operates these days,” Cr Hammel said.
The $10 disaster management fee has also been retained as the city continues the recovery from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
A $5 gate fee to use the city’s tips will come into effect from July 1, after being flagged last year, however, this excludes recycling and green waste disposal.
While residents who want to take advantage of the kerbside Flexi-Skip service will now be slugged $50.
