Media Release - Council Budget - 2022-2023

Torres Shire Council adopted its 2022/2023 Budget at a Special Council Meeting on Friday 15th July 2022. Budget Preparation

The preparation of Council’s Budget 2022-2023 was very challenging, whilst it aims to minimise financial burden to the community, Council also has the obligation to deliver essential services such as roads, water, sewerage, rubbish collection and waste management during an evolving fiscal environment.

Mayor Yen Loban stated that, “The Budget reflects Council’s Corporate Plan and Operational Plan, both of which clearly outline Council’s strategic direction. In adopting its budget under the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council has made a deliberate decision to continue to focus on infrastructure for the coming year” he advised.

Council was mindful of a number of economic factors that contribute to financial sustainability in setting this year’s budget, not least of which is the additional cost of delivering this infrastructure, above the cost of goods and services. Currently the cost allowance is 70% (x 1.70) on top of purchase prices, a figure accepted by the QLD Reconstruction Authority as representative of actual local costs. After the budget was adopted SeaSwift increased their prices by 14.2% from 1 September 2022, which, in turn has a cost impact on our Shire and on the delivery of infrastructure and other program.

Operating Revenue

Council’s 2022-2023 budget totals $48.69 million, which includes operating expenses without depreciation of $21.1 million, loan repayment of $53,996 and capital expenditure of $27.54 million funded from a mix of rating and non-rating revenue and other funding sources.