Somerset Regional Council 2022-2023 Budget

I am proud to present Somerset Regional Council’s 2022/2023 budget to the community.

Noting the official Brisbane inflation rate of 6%, we have settled on a 4% general rate increase for owner occupiers on the minimum general rate.

We have also reduced the general rate as a percentage of land valuations for more than 99% of ratepayers. Official State land valuation increases will affect ratepayers differently across the region in 2022/2023.

We have worked hard to reduce costs like telecommunications, electricity and insurance and worked hard to increase revenue from sources other than rates to achieve the best possible outcome for our community.

We are acutely aware of the challenges ahead of us in rebuilding infrastructure and restoring key road networks that were damaged or destroyed during the two declared flood events in Somerset in February and May.

Our budget includes $45 million in infrastructure spending, with many projects focusing on supporting our economy and enhancing our rural lifestyle.

We are also investing an additional $942,000 to support recycling in our community and are committed to spending an additional $1.3 million on road and street maintenance.

Securing infrastructure funding is a key objective for our team and we are very grateful for the significant funding support we continue to receive from the Australian and Queensland Governments which will help us to build back stronger from the floods.

This financial year we will see the introduction of a uniform waste service introduced across Somerset for the first time with a 240-litre weekly waste service and a 240-litre fortnightly recycling service in place for all serviced properties. This initiative will help us extend the life of our landfill and help manage the costs to the community of Queensland Government’s State Waste Levy.

Our budget continues Council’s successful fight against environmental and agricultural pest plants and animals such as lantana and wild dogs and pigs by maintaining our environmental levy.

I thank Councillors Helen Brieschke, Sean Choat, Cheryl Gaedtke, Kylee Isidro, Jason Wendt and Bob Whalley and the entire Council team for their strong support and hard work with our budget.

We are proud to deliver this budget as a team effort with the best interests of our community at the forefront of everything we do.

Graeme Lehmann
Mayor, Somerset Regional Council

(Left to right) Cr Helen Brieschke, Cr Bob Whalley, Mayor Graeme Lehmann, Cr Jason Wendt, Cr Kylee Isidro, Cr Sean Choat, Cr Cheryl Gaedtke.