Cook Shire’s new council has delivered its first budget, one Mayor Robyn Holmes says supports the community through current cost of living pressures. Photo: Supplied.
Cook Shire Council has focused on maintaining essential services, supporting community development and sustainable growth in its 2024-25 budget.
The council adopted the budget at a special meeting on 16 July, with a 5.5 per cent general rates increase and reported deficit of $13.175 million among the high-interest aspects of how the organisation will manage its finances over the coming 12 months.
The budget projects operating revenue of $104m and costs of $118m, with the latter figure including $15.6m in depreciation that local government legislation stipulates must be factored into reporting.
Mayor Robyn Holmes said she believed the budget would foster sustainable development and community wellbeing, despite the council facing significant economic challenges including the continued recovery costs associated with Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
“Despite the growing economic challenges, this budget is a testament to our commitment to maintaining essential services and supporting our community through the current cost of living challenges,” she said.
“Our 2024-25 budget is about managing unprecedented inflationary cost pressures while delivering critical services and infrastructure.
“We are steadfast in our mission to deliver responsible and effective governance while ensuring that the shire continues to thrive and evolve.”
The council’s 2024-25 capital works program will focus on renewing ageing essential infrastructure, and includes a $1.75m upgrade of the Borefields filter and chlorination systems, $1m to upgrade the Cooktown Shire Hall to include all-access toilets, $460,000 towards replacing the Laura reservoir and $350,000 to upgrade the John Street Oval lights.
On the planned rate rise, Mayor Holmes said elected members believed it was necessary to “manage the increasing costs of delivering vital services and maintaining council’s extensive asset base”.
From an operational perspective, key projects for 2024-25 include $52,500 to help beautiful the Coen cemetery, $30,000 for the development of a youth engagement plan and $20,000 to help rehabilitate Lakeland’s Perfume Gully.
An early payment discount of $100 is available for ratepayers, as is rates relief for those impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
