Media Release - Council adopts Budget 2022-2023 with a focus on Managing for Sustainability

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo has delivered the Budget 2022-2023.

The Budget details Council’s $40 million worth of projects and activities for next financial year. This includes an $11 million dollar Capital Works Program.

Mayor Ramon Jayo said “This is my sixth Budget as Mayor. The Budget is developed with a difficult 2022-2023 economy in mind. Council understands that cost of living pressures and supply issues are having a profound impact on residents and that is why Council has delivered the Budget with a modest 2.75% increase on the rate in the dollar, well below Queensland CPI of over 6%. In dollar terms this will see a general rate increase of $44.36 per annum to residential properties.”

Some of the highlights of this Budget include:

• The return of school based trainees and an increase in cadets into Council’s workforce;
• Continuation of the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan;
• Council will operate the JL Kelly Theatre while efforts to find a permanent operator to lease this facility continue;
• A Capital Works Program of $11 million including:
  • Completion of the Dutton Street Culvert Crossing;
  • Construction of work on Cell Three at Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre; and
  • Continuing to maintain Council’s water and sewerage infrastructure including reservoir cleaning, switchboard and pump replacement, hydrant upgrades and designing a new inlet valve for the Ingham Water Treatment Plant.
• $3.7 million worth of road improvements at:
  • Covells Road;
  • Gangemis Road;
  • Golloglys Road;
  • Quabbas Road;
  • Capellaris Road;
  • Hamleigh Road; and
  • Orient Road.
• Council will continue to advocate for the Dungeness all tide access with the State Government; and
• Council has budgeted $125,000 to support community and regional events through the grants process.