Cairns to get rates rise, new projects in latest council budget

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Ratepayers will be taxed an extra 2.5 per cent in the upcoming financial year, following the delivery of Cairns Regional Council’s 2021-22 Budget.

The rise is expected to equate to an extra $1.25 a week on a median priced residential property.

As land valuations were not undertaken this year, every property will receive the same percentage increase.

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Mayor Bob Manning announced the rates rise this morning as part of the Council’s $124.5 million budget.

“This Budget has been the most difficult to date to formulate,” he said.

“[It’s] a departure from what we have delivered to ratepayers over the past eight budget cycles – that is, budgets underpinned by rate rises with an average of 1.7 per cent,” Cr Manning said.

“None of us could have foreseen the COVID crisis, but in order to assist the community through this difficult time, Council moved decisively to provide much-needed economic stimulus.”

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Cr Manning said this was done by delivering $165 million of capital works in the past 12 months, as well as fast-tracking $2.5 million of general works and the $28 million Esplanade Dining Precinct.

“We also extended the time for our residents and businesses to pay rates and introduced long-term payment plans without the impost of interest charges, introduced incentives to encourage activity in the building and construction sector and waived relevant fees and charges to assist businesses,” he said.

Sewerage, cleansing and water access charges will also increase by 2.5 per cent, while residential water usage charges will rise to $1.43 per kilolitre.

Cr Manning said the rise in water rates comes in light of the Council’s proposed $215 million water security project, which is yet to receive State or Federal Government funding.

He said despite the increase, Cairns’ water usage charges remain ‘extremely low’ considering south-east Queensland residents pay around $4 a kilolitre.

Budget breakdown

Cairns Regional Council has announced a $124.5 million capital works program with a focus on upgrading, renewing and maintaining core infrastructure.

It is a notable reduction from Council’s last capital expenditure of $165.4 million in the last Budget.

• $50.5 million on roads, bridges, drainage, kerb and channel, shoulder sealing, and bus stops
• $23.8 million on improving the wastewater network
• $25.5 million on water and waste infrastructure
• $14 million on community, sport, cultural and tourism projects

Suburbs

NORTHERN BEACHES LEISURE TRAIL

Spend: $2.4 million

Continuing its construction of the Trail, Council has committed to complete the Barr Creek Bridge linking Holloways Beach and Machans Beach. Pathways between Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach, as well as Yorkeys Knob to Smithfield Village will also be completed.

TANKS ARTS CENTRE

Spend: $1.56 million

The investment includes a new catering hub, storage and toilet facilities at Tank 3, and a state-of-the-art digital public address system at Tank 5.

GIVENS STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

Spend: $550,000

Construction of a 30-metre long, 2.5-metre wide pedestrian/cycle bridge over Moody Creek in Westcourt. The project will include the installation of new street lighting and CCTV within the bridge.

GRIFFITHS PARK

Spend: $3.7 million

Completion of stage two of the Griffiths Park Development Plan which includes improved access and car parking, cricket practice wickets, and upgraded landscaping. There’s also a commitment to assist the Cairns Cricket Association (CCA) with the construction of a grandstand and amenities building, subject to approvals and further government funding. It’s expected the grandstand would attract state and national level competitions.  

AQUACTIC FACILITIES

Spend: $1.2 million

Upgrades to Smithfield Children’s Leisure Pool, Sugarworld Adventure Park and Woree Pool. There is no money allocated for the construction of a new pool in Edmonton, which residents and Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne have been pushing for since the former facility closed in 2016.

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Spend: $500,000

An improved capacity (number of staff) to proactively respond to animal complaints and behaviour issues. This follows an general increase in dog related complaints over the past 12 months and compliments a new $6.3 million animal management facility in Woree.

CBD

CAIRNS GALLERY PRECINCT

Spend: $2 million

The spend will involve the demolition of the L-shaped building and carpark on 51 Esplanade and refurbishment of the Old Mulgrave Shire building.

INITIATIVE TO FILL VACANT SHOPS

Spend: $180,000

A new project to assist property owners to activate and market vacant shops in the city. Enterprises selected to be part of the program are to be ‘creative’ and will be carefully chosen to complement, not compete, with existing traders.

BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS

Spend: $760,000

The upgrade to the city’s public transport services will include the installation of bus shelters at 16 sites, as well as the transition of 15 sites to be Disability Discrimination Act compliant.

CCTV NETWORK

Spend: $500,000

A renewal, upgrade and expansion of the Council’s CCTV network, which currently has more than 400 cameras across the city, about 185 of which are in the CBD.

Planning

CAIRNS CITY CENTRE MASTERPLAN

Spend: $250,000

A revisit of the masterplan Council first endorsed in 2019. The latest spend is aimed at ensuring CBD planning responds to current needs and emerging trends, and is undertaken in a coordinated, integrated and sustainable manner.  

PALM COVE STREETSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE MASTERPLAN

Spend: $150,000

A plan to improve the Williams Esplanade streetscape by addressing issues including pedestrian connectivity, parking and traffic flow, use of public spaces and outdoor dining. Residents, business owners and stakeholders will be invited to help shape the masterplan.

CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY

Spend: $95,000

A progression on the Cairns Climate Change Strategy, which will set out the next decade of climate action. The strategy includes pathways to zero emissions, renewable energy investment, and coastal hazard planning.

CAIRNS 2050 GROWTH STRATEGY (STAGE 1)

Spend: $130,000

A new strategy to identify ‘targets and approaches’ to ensure the sustainable growth of the region to 2050. The money will form a basis for Council’s contemporary land use planning, as well as encourage investment through support for businesses, industries and services.

Find further details on Cairns Regional Council’s 2021-22 Budget here, or send us your questions here.