Council continues its focus on delivering the essentials
Date published: 28 June 2023
Townsville City Council is committed to meeting the community's expectations by delivering essential everyday services with a substantial allocation of over $633 million in the 2023/24 budget.
Councillors adopted the budget at today’s Ordinary Council Meeting and Mayor Jenny Hill said Council was focused on delivering the services the community cares about most.
“A significant amount of Council’s $892.6 million budget is spent on supplying drinking water, maintaining our roads, keeping our parks beautiful, maintaining our water and wastewater networks, and collecting and processing waste,” Cr Hill said.
“We look after a road network greater than the distance between Cairns and Brisbane and we have the largest pipe and irrigation networks in the southern hemisphere.
“This financial year more than $193.1 million has been put aside to maintain our roads, water and wastewater networks.
“Our city’s parks, playgrounds, community facilities and open spaces are much loved and heavily used by the community and that’s why we have allocated $68.1 million to maintaining and renewing them.”
Business Services and Finance Committee chairperson Margie Ryder said Council had committed to delivering on essential services while remaining fiscally responsible and accountable to Townsville’s ratepayers.
“Council has delivered a near on balanced budget which is meeting the needs of the community now and building our city for future growth and opportunities,” Cr Ryder said.
“Our responsible fiscal management means despite the rising costs of electricity, fuel, materials and labour, Council has been able to continue to invest in delivering the basic services the community wants and expects.
“Through strong financial management we are in a position to manage these rising costs and deliver these services, while also investing in growth-creating projects and attracting investment and industry to our city.”
Highlights:
$144 million Roads and transport management
- Includes road repairs, construction and maintenance on 1,853km network, 585km footpaths, bus stops, bike lanes
$94.9 million Open space management
- Mowing and upkeep of 369 parks, The Strand, Riverway, Jezzine, road verges, tree pruning, litter collection
$392.7 million Water and Wastewater Management
- Includes maintenance of more than 4000km of overland and underground, pipes across the city
$2 million coastal facilities
- Boat ramps, stinger nets, sand dune nourishment, beach accesses, tide gates
$925,000 to maintain the city’s four cemeteries.
View our 2023/24 Budget and Operational Plan web page for more information.
