Redland City Council Budget 2017/18

Redland City Council’s 2017/18 Budget was adopted by unanimous vote at today’s Special Budget Meeting.

Rates for residential property owners will increase more than the Brisbane inflation rate.

Pensioners hoping for an increase in their rates discount will be disappointed as will commercial property owners who can expect a large rates increase.

Rate rise for residential property owners

Redland City Council rates and charges for an average residential owner occupied dwelling will increase by 2.73 per cent according to the 2017/18 Budget document (Page 11).

This is above the 1.8 per cent inflation rate for the year to March 2017 as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Brisbane published by the Australian Bureau of Statisitics (ABS).

The Environment Charge will increase by $20.00 from $89.08 to $109.08.

This excludes State Government controlled charges (bulk water and the emergency management levy).

The bulk water charge, controlled by the State Government, will increase by 8.47%.

Commercial premises rates increased

The rate multiplier for commercial premises has been increased from 1.3 to 1.7.

This could result in rates increases ranging from 3.9 per cent to 34.7 percent for commercial property owners, according to a Bulletin report.

No increase to pensioner discounts in 2017/18

The rates concession for pensioners will not be increased for 2017/18.

The rebate will remain at $335.00 for people on the maximum pension, and $167.50 for other pensioners.

In her 2016 election campaign Mayor Karen Williams promised to increase pensioner discounts.

After the 2016 elections, the concession for people on the maximum pension was increased by $5.00 per year from $330.00 to $335.00.

This was the first change to the pensioner concession since the Hobson Council increased the maximum pensioner concession by $6.00 per year in the 2011/12 budget.

If the pensioner concession had been adjusted for inflation in each subsequent budget the applicable figure would now be $369.82.

Financial Year	Maximum concession	$/year increase	Annual  Inflation (CPI) Brisbane
2017/18	$335.00	Nil	1.8% to March 2017
2016/17	$335.00	$5.00	1.7% to March 2016
2015/16	$330.00	Nil	1.4% to March 2015
2014/15	$330.00	Nil	3.1% to March 2014
2013/14	$330.00	Nil	2.1% to March 2013
2012/13	$330.00	Nil	1.3% to March 2012
2011/12	$330.00	Nil	3.6% to March 2011
2010/11	$324.00	$6.00	3.0% to March 2010

 Donald Simpson Community Centre

The Council’s 2017/18 budget contained no good news for the Donald Simpson Community Centre and the many people (many of them pensioners) who make use of its services and facilities.

Despite a petition signed by more than 1,500 residents, it appears that the Council will not reverse its decision to reduce operational funding support for the Centre.

Operating deficit of $11 million

Council is budgeting for an operating deficit of $11 million in its 2017/18 Budget.

2017/18 Budget Operating Statement

Item	Amount in $000s
Revenue	$261,639
Expenses	$211,767
Interest	$2,809
Depreciation and amortisation	$49,872
Operating surplus/deficit	($11,136)

Translink Levy for SMBI property owners

Owners of property on the southern Moreton Bay islands (SMBI) will continue to pay a special charge to help fund Translink services.

The amount of the charge has increased from $87.04 in 2016/17 to $89.00 in 2017/18.

Canal charges

The 2017/18 Budget reintroduces special charges for canal property owners with the prospect of a “community conversation” about charges and funding in future years.

The new Special Charges comprise annual charges of:

• $723.60 for a standard lot at Sovereign Waters
• $2354.28 for a standard lot at Raby Bay Canal Estate (including lots 1 to 12 on GTP 2073)
• $1364.24 for a unit in a Community Title Scheme at Raby Bay Canal Estate (excluding lots 1 to 12 on GTP 2073)
• $1189.96 for a marina berth at Raby Bay Canal Estate
• $2806.28 for a standard lot at Aquatic Paradise Canal Estate
• $2806.28 for a marina berth at Aquatic Paradise Canal Estate

More information is available on the Council webpage:

Changes to canal and lake special charges

Capital expenditure in 2017/18

The Council’s 2017/18 Budget provides for $82.05 million of capital expenditure.

• $23.64 million for roads projects, including the Green Seal Program, Regional Road Alliance Program and resurfacing and rehabilitation programs.
• $10.77 million for infrastructure, including the Indigiscapes Visitor Centre expansion, Cleveland Aquatic Precinct redevelopment, the Bayview Conservation Area at Redland Bay and bus shelter and seat renewals.
• $14.39 million for open space and conservation projects, including South East Thornlands Park, the Public Amenities Expansion Program, William Ross Park and Henry Ziegenfusz Sportsfield improvements.
• $14.47 million for marine and foreshore projects, including Macleay Island ramp carpark, seawall and asbestos capping, canal revetment wall upgrades and the Raby Bay Esplanade canoe launching pontoon.
• $1.88 million for community and cultural development, including libraries, Redland Performing Arts Centre and Redland Art Gallery public art and acquisitions.
• $1.04 million for new water services, including meter replacement and new water services.
• $7.39 million for waste and wastewater projects.
• $8.47 million for land actions and asset replacement programs.

Further reading about the 2017/18 budget

Redland City Council Annual Budget

Redland City Council new releases

Redland City Bulletin story:

• Big rates increase in budget for Redland businesses

Redlands2030 – 26 June 2017