Ipswich City Council has handed down it’s 2020-2021 budget.
We are focussing on jobs, growth and investment and Mayor Teresa Harding has described the budget as “measured and reflective of the current economic times.”
The city has a $600 million annual budget and with Australia now in recession, tough decisions did need to be made. However, services will not be cut and Council will continue to work hard at improving service delivery to the public.
Ipswich City Council will continue to support business during COVID and a further $850,000 relief will go towards Ipswich community and sporting groups and local businesses. The 2020-21 City of Ipswich Budget will also feature a three-year capital program – a first for council – which includes $100 million for the ongoing redevelopment of the Ipswich CBD.
As your Councillor, I have listened to the Division 4 community and have provided your feedback to my fellow Councillors and the CEO. We have all worked constructively together, under the leadership of Mayor Teresa Harding. Even though we have only existed as your newly elected Council team over the past 3 months, we have committed a large portion of this time to develop this new budget with the assistance of the dedicated Council executive and officers.
I know that people are hurting financially at the moment and I will do what I can within my role as your Councillor to ensure the recovery of our city.
I believe that this budget will make a difference; it is fair and will bring value to Ipswich residents and local businesses.
2020-2021 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
- There has been a rates increase of 98c per week for every household (2.75% increase in residential rates) and a 2.4% rise for commercial properties.
- Council will keep providing assistance to those businesses affected by COVID.
- Core Council services and jobs will not be cut.
- Council will run at a deficit to keep 1,300 people employed, maintain services and continue with purchases to put money back into the local Ipswich economy
- Pensioners can continue to claim the $245 per year concession.
- Discounts on early payment continue at $132 per year.
- The increase in wages for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors & Executive Leadership team (Department General Managers) has been REJECTED, despite the Local Government Remuneration Commission approving a wage increase. Ipswich City Council does not think it’s appropriate to be increasing wages when others in our community are doing it tough, financially.
- $232 million for capital works and infrastructure (this includes $124 million for Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central Redevelopment; $39.5 million for asset rehabilitation; $14.9 million on parks, sport and environment; $13 million on strategic transport projects; $18.2 million for sealed road rehab; $10.6 million for the new Lions stadium; $5.9 million for Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank-Arterial; $5.4 million bridge, culvert and drainage; $2.8 million for Redbank Plains Road upgrades stages 3 and 4).
- $4.3 million will be spent on road maintenance.
- $3.5 million is allocated for gravel, pavement and traffic signs.
- $1.3 million for Denmark Hill improvement works.
- $1.5 million for Small Creek naturalisation.
- $500,000 to finalise Marsden Parade realignment.
This budget will help fulfil Ipswich City’s top priorities and help us stay afloat during this economic downturn and unprecedented circumstances.
Cr Kunzelmann and I thank you for your understanding and look forward to keeping our local economy moving and better times ahead for every single Ipswich resident.
