The Tweed Coast could be $5 million better off thanks to the draft Tweed Shire Council budget with $2.4 million for West Kingscliff drainage, plus a further $1.6 million for drainage construction and another $1.75 million towards the Coastline Management Plan.
This week’s meeting resolved to put the funding proposals, which also includes $4million for the upgrade of the Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant , part of the 2012/2013 Draft Operational Plan, 2011/2015 Draft Delivery Program and associated Resourcing Strategy and 2012/2013 Draft Revenue Policy and Statement incorporating the Operational Plan Budget on public exhibition from April 24 to May 22.
Across all funds, the 2012/2013 draft budget is $182 million.
There is also $770,000 allocated for bridges, $200,000 for capital works at the aquatic centre at Tweed Heads South, $150,000 towards the construction of the Margaret Olley Centre at the Tweed Regional Art Gallery, $50,000 for works at Point Danger Lighthouse, $80,000 towards the Koala Plan of Management and $25,000 for the Uki Tennis Clubhouse.
Council’s Director Technology and Corporate Services, Troy Green, said 2012/2013 represents the final year of Council’s 7 Year Infrastructure and Services Plan and incorporates an approved increase of 7.5 per cent on the Ordinary Rate.
“Additionally, Council resolved to make application to the Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal (IPART) for a Carbon Price Advance of 0.4 per cent, which if approved, would bring the total permissible increase to ordinary rates to 7.9 per cent,” Mr Green said.
“It is important to note that the 0.4 per cent will be subject to a reversal in 2013/2014 by 0.1 per cent and 2014/2015 by 0.3 per cent. All councils are subject to the reversal in future years, so it was important to make application for the increase in 2012/2013 so as not to be adversely affected by the reversal,” Mr Green said.
An increase of 7.9 per cent brings the minimum ordinary residential and farmland rate to $940.25 and the minimum ordinary business rate to $1004.80.
There have also been increases in accordance with previously adopted long-term financial plans to water and sewerage charges. The volumetric charge for water usage will increase to $2.05 per kilolitre. Water Management service charges have also increased. The 2012/2013 budget includes an amount of $26.70 per rateable property for the State Government Waste and Environment Levy being incorporated into the Domestic Waste Service Charge.
“For a property with the full services of water, sewerage, garbage and ordinary rates the minimum residential and farmland rate bill will be $2,013.60 and the minimum business rate bill will be $2,078.15. This represents a total increase of 8.36 per cent for residential and farmland and 8.35 per cent for business,” Mr Green said.
“However, individual properties’ rates may increase or decrease by various percentages in 2012/2013 due to the fact that the Valuer General undertook a revaluation in 2011.”
Properties across the Shire on average decreased in value by 12.76 per cent from the 2008 valuation.
“This means that the properties whose values reduced by 12.76 per cent will pay the same as last year plus the percentage increase of 7.9 to 8.36 per cent, depending on services available at the property,” he said.
“Properties with a valuation decrease greater than 12.76 per cent may see their rates not increase by the full 7.9 to 8.36 per cent and in some cases where the valuation dropped significantly, may actually see their rates decrease from their previous assessment.
“Properties with decreases between 0 to 12.76 per cent will incur a rate bill greater than the 7.9 to 8.36 per cent increase as will properties with valuation increases.”
Members of the community are invited to view the documents, which are available on Council’s website www.tweed.nsw.gov.au Printed copies are available for review at the Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Civic Centres.
Across all funds, the 2012/2013 draft budget is $182 million and includes:
- $8.68 million towards road construction capital works (an increase of $841,000 from the 11/12 budget)
- $4 million for the upgrade of the Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant
- $3.67 million for water pump stations and mains
- $2.4 million for West Kingscliff drainage, plus a further $1.6 million for drainage construction
- $1.8 million for the Clarrie Hall Dam Spillway
- $1.75 million towards the Coastline Management Plan
- $1.64 million towards Burringbar sewerage.
Members of the community are invited to view the documents, which are available on Council’s website www.tweed.nsw.gov.au Printed copies are available for review at the Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Civic Centres.
