Mayor Allan Sutherland - Budget Speech

8/3/2019 Mayor Allan Sutherland - Budget Speech

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Mayor Allan Sutherland

Budget Speech

Ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of my council colleagues, I thank you forattending todays special council meeting for theadoption of Moreton Bay Regional Councils 2010 /2011 budget.

This budget is the most significant budget in 130years of local government in our magnificent region.

It is significant because it marks the biggestmilestone, some would say the most importantmilestone, in Moreton Bay Regional Councils short

history.

Its also a budget that continues to honour what hasalways been this councils core promise to thecommunity - to ensure that the amalgamatedMoreton Bay Regional Council works for you.

For me and my councillor colleagues, this promisehas always been more than a pledge it is theessential ingredient when it comes to being a caringand compassionate council.

It has been the driver, the goal and ultimately theyardstick for every decision we take and for

everything we do.


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It guided us in those early days ofamalgamation as we brought together threevery different local governments and

established a new council that would continueto meet the essential service needs of thecommunity.

It guided us as we shaped last years budget a budget that helped our region and thecommunity weather some of the impacts of the

global financial crisis

And it will continue to guide us into the future.

Besides containing plenty of region-building capitalworks, projects, programs and initiatives some ofwhich I will highlight in a few minutes this budget

clearly conveys the strong financial credentials ofMoreton Bay Regional Council and our commitmentto provide ratepayers with value-for-money.

However, as with any budget, there is some pain and there will be some sections of our communitythat will not be completely happy with some of theoutcomes.

Setting a budget for the Moreton Bay region is ahuge responsibility and today is the culmination ofmonths and months of work.

Over that period, councillors spent 16 full days inthis very chamber working through every detail and

component of the budget.


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Compared to some councils, our councillors take avery hands-on approach to this task.

In fact this strong connection has resulted in plentyof tears, some colourful exchanges, and indeedsome times when weve had to clear this room tocool our heads.

For me, councils budget is much, much more thansimply the dollars, services and facilities that get

listed on a piece of paper.

It is about people.

First and foremost, it is about the people whochoose to live in our fast growing region.

It is about the people contributing to our localeconomy.

It is about those people who have, and thosewho continue, to help shape our many diversecommunities.

Over the past two years, I have spent a lot of timevisiting all parts of the region taking on boardresidents views about amalgamation as well aswhat they expect of their council.

Overwhelmingly the Moreton Bay community hasbeen extremely supportive of our efforts and hasunderstood there are many huge tasks that need to

be addressed as part of our amalgamation journey.


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They have also been very realistic with theirexpectations acknowledging that some thingssimply cannot be achieved overnight.

But, and I am sure my colleagues in this chambercan vouch for this, too there has been onequestion, one expectation, that the community hasraised more than any other.

Today as part of the budget we are able to

answer that question, and meet that expectationthrough action.

Today we are delivering on the expectations of ourcommunity by adopting one rating policy for theMoreton Bay region.

When the State Government released new landvaluations in March 2010, Moreton Bay RegionalCouncil was finally able to cast off the shackles ofthe former councils rating policies.

Once we had this final piece in the rating puzzle, weimmediately set to work on developing one regionalrating policy.

In just four months, we have managed to achievethis important and extremely complexamalgamation milestone, our biggest keyperformance indicator.


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For Moreton Bay Regional Council, this is without adoubt the "line-in-the-sand" budget - the budgetthat heralds our coming of age as one true council.

One of the defining qualities of this council hasbeen our quest to realise savings in our operatingcosts.

Straight away at the start of this term one of thiscouncils immediate priorities was to actively drive

savings on behalf of the community.

We were, and indeed still remain, committed tomaking sure Moreton Bay Regional Council worksfor the community by reducing bureaucracyand duplication, streamlining our processes andachieving the efficiencies we knew amalgamationwould deliver.

At the same time, we made it very clear thesesavings would need to be achieved withoutcompromising the service council provides to thecommunity.

To date, we have slashed $25 million per

annum from Moreton Bay Regional Councilsoperating costs.

This is $25 million that would have been spent eachyear as a matter of course by the three formercouncils and would have been fundedby their ratepayers.


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Today, I would like to re-affirm that when it comesto savings, Moreton Bay Regional Council will notbe resting on its achievements so far.

This budget contains $75 million in savings -savings that ultimately benefit the hip pockets of ourratepayers.

If I was to use one word to describe the currentlocal government environment, it would be dynamic.

Now more than ever, change is very much a part ofthe day-to-day landscape.

Change is inevitable, and it is how we deal withchange that is of the utmost importance to ourcommunity.

Coincidentally, today marks an important change forthe regions water and sewerage services with theState Governments water reforms taking effect.

The way water services are provided in the MoretonBay region has now changed forever with the newlocal water authority, Unitywater, responsible for

these services.

To help our community adapt to these new waterarrangements, this budget contains a special two-year subsidy for all Moreton Bay water customers.


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In the 10 / 11 year, Moreton Bay Regional Councilwill provide these customers with a 50 per centsubsidy on any increase in their water and

sewerage access charges.

We are the only council in Queensland providingsuch a subsidy to its community and therefore theonly council in the State helping its ratepayersadapt to the largest reform of water and sewerageservices in Queenslands history.

Before I pass you over to Cr Millar, councilsspokesperson for Corporate Services, I would liketo state what this budget means for the averageresidential ratepayer.

A few moments ago, I highlighted this councilscommitment to driving operational savings and itsfundamental role in ensuring Moreton Bay RegionalCouncil is working for the community.

Importantly, it is also having a direct effect on rates and has delivered to Moreton Bays residentialratepayers the best rating outcome of any localgovernment area in Queensland.

Recently it was reported in the Courier-Mail that 91per cent of Brisbane City Council owner occupiedresidents would receive an increase of $100 or less.


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Ladies and gentlemen, this year, fifty per cent ofMoreton Bays owner occupied residentialratepayers will receive a reduction in general rates

compared to last year.

Thats right one out of every two owner occupiedratepayers who live in houses will notice a decreasein their general rates.

A further 43 per cent of Moreton Bays owner

occupied residential ratepayers will receive anincrease of $100 or less.

Overall the average change in general rates forresidential owner occupied properties is a decreaseof around 3.4 per cent.

To say this is a remarkable outcome, after just twoyears and few months in office, is anunderstatement.

Many of the goods and service that we rely on toprovide council services and facilities to thecommunity have experienced significant costhikes so this really is an extraordinary result.

I would like to provide this chamber with anotherexample of how Moreton Bay Regional Council isperforming compared to some other councils.


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A minimum general ratepayer on the Gold Coast ispaying an extra $187 per year for total rates andcharges compared to Moreton Bay Regional

Council.

In Logan, they are paying $256 more.

In Redlands, they are paying $309.20 more.

I will leave the comparisons there.

I now invite Cr Bob Millar to highlight some of thekey financial details of the budget.

..

Thank you Cr Millar.

Our budget which totals around half a billiondollars contains many initiatives designed to makeour Moreton Bay region a better place to live, workand play.

Here is an overview of what you can expect fromyour council during the coming 12 months.

After much planning, residents will soon see plentyof activity get under way as constructioncommences on major projects announced in lastyears budget.


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During the next two months, heavy machinery willarrive on site and spend the rest of the year:

transforming the Redcliffe Seaside Village intoan attractive, people friendly precinct as part ofa $20 million project to be enjoyed by allresidents across the region

and building the new state-of-the-art $25 millionlibrary, learning centre and art gallery complex

now known as The Hub in Caboolturestown square.

As one of the countrys fastest growing regions,sound planning and development strategies arecrucial to ensuring a high quality of life for MoretonBay residents.

During the coming year, a raft of strategic plans,strategies and projects will be undertaken acrossthe region as we prepare for the development of anew region-wide planning scheme over the next fewyears.

Its a positive step forward and will ensure ourregion takes a unified and responsible approach togrowth and environmental management.

From our ongoing local conservation projects towaterway and rehabilitation programs, this councilwill be working hard to ensure environmentalconsiderations are very much a part of our everyday

business activities.


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Being a relatively new local government area, itsimportant council plays a lead role in creating apositive and prominent image for our region.

This year we will develop a regional brandingstrategy, a strategy that will be supported by thelargest marketing campaign ever undertaken for theMoreton Bay region.

Not only will these projects promote tourism,

encourage economic development and boost localbusinesses, they will package and present who weare, what we do and the many attractions we haveon offer in this beautiful part Queensland.

This year council will spend more than $7 million toensure Moreton Bay Region Libraries continue tooffer the high level of service our residents havecome to expect.

With the support of the State Government, morethan $1.6 million will also be spent buying books,resources and other items to boost our borrowingcollections.

Road and transport infrastructure is fundamental toour growing region and thats why well be investingheavily with more than $60 million budgeted for newroads, drains, footpaths, bikeways and car parks.


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Council will also spend around $19 millionmaintaining and improving the condition of ourexisting road networks so they continue to meet the

needs of users.

Over the course of the coming year, some keyprojects will include:

The $7 million upgrade of Dohles Rocks Road

Planning for the $5m upgrade of PumicestoneRoad which will directly benefit residents inDonnybook and Toorbul

Cabooltures $1 million Lagoon Creekpedestrian bridge and pathway

detailed design of the $17.3m Dakabin to NorthLakes link road

$17m over the next three years for the FrancisRoad Rail Overpass which will connectLawnton residents to Gympie Road.

Moreton Bay residents place a high value on their

natural surroundings and that is why Moreton BayRegional Council is undertaking a range ofprograms to enhance and care for ourenvironmental assets.


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Key budget items include:

more than $2.9 million to improve local

waterways

$600,000 to help boost the health of waterwayssuch as the Caboolture River via environmentalmonitoring

$850,000 on environmental engagement and

education programs that highlight the value andfragility of local ecosystems

Without a doubt, among the most prized and lovedpublic facilities are the regions parks, sporting andrecreational reserves.

When speaking with residents, I regularly receivefavourable feedback about our park and recreationprecincts and this year we will be investing around$6 million to upgrade our park and foreshore areas.

Council will also invest $19 million improving andexpanding major sporting precincts.

Some of these key projects will include

$9 million towards the State Equestrian Centreat Caboolture

$4 million for new multi-million dollar soccerfacilities at Samford Parkland and $3.7 million

towards the South Pine Sporting Complex.


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We all recognise and value the support andassistance SES provide to residents in times ofemergency.

To help enhance their services council will build anew $500,000 SES Depot at Bribie Island.

A further $80,000 will be allocated to support localSES operations and well as $40,000 towards theAGL Action Rescue Helicopter which services our

region.

Im also please to announce that indoor facilities willbe upgraded at Redcliffe PCYC and council ofcourse will lend a hand to many more communityprojects.

Ladies and gentlemen, today has been an historicday for Moreton Bay Regional Council.

This budget delivers great outcomes for ourcommunity and ensures that Moreton BayRegional Council is working for the community.

We are achieving operational savingsapproaching $100 million

We are conducting capital works programs thatare building and growing our beautiful region

We have delivered a rating policy for allMoreton Bay ratepayers


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We are the only local government inQueensland providing a substantial subsidyprogram for Unitywater customers in the

Moreton Bay region

We have achieved the States best ratingoutcome for residential ratepayers

While developing the budget, council was extremelyconscious of the impact spiralling goods and service

costs are having on household budgets.

It is for this very reason that council will continue todrive the organisation hard to maintain and enhancethe services and facilities expected by thecommunity and to deliver them at the lowestpossible cost.

The saving seeds that weve now sown in allareas of councils operations are maturing.

More importantly, they are bearing fruit and councilis committed to sharing the spoils with thecommunity.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is just the start.

This budget clearly highlights that we expect theorganisation to achieve even more savings well intothe future.


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I commend my fellow councillors for theircooperation, commitment and contributionsthroughout the budget process.

Our hard work, and willingness to work inpartnership with the community and other levels ofgovernment, has resulted in a budget that will helpgrow and build our beautiful Moreton Bay region.

I also thank all council staff for their support, as well

as their determination to make the Moreton Bayregion even better for residents.

I commend this budget to the chamber.

Mayor Allan Sutherland - Budget Speech

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