A Message from the Mayor
Growing Our Region
‘Growing our Region’ is the primary focus of this year’s budget as Council continues to build momentum and steer our region’s economy and recovery forward. Growth of our region will not just happen; it needs Council and our community working together. I am proud of what Council and the community have achieved and the real progress we have made in my term as Mayor.
This Council is passionate in maintaining a consistent level of service for our 35,500 residents and also delivering major infrastructure projects to not only create jobs but also help forge a bright future for Our Whitsunday region. We already live in the best region in the world, therefore maintaining and improving liveability is a high priority.
Whilst Growing our Region is a positive goal, this council is adamant that we leverage every external funding opportunity to ensure it is not a burden on our residents.
Council and our residents are still in the process of rebuilding our region, including our Council’s community assets, damaged by the natural disaster in 2017.
While we are supported in these endeavours by our state and commonwealth governments, these activities do require significant investment of Council’s own funds.
By reviewing every dollar spent at Council, the entire organisation will continue to make savings rather than place unnecessary burden on ratepayers. This year, there will be 0% increase in the total residential rates across the region. This means that for the third year running Council will be collecting exactly the same total rates from residents as the previous years, no more, no less.
As part of the Growing our Region budget, Council will be delivering over 145 projects and infrastructure upgrades worth approximately $130 million dollars.
2018/19 is shaping as an exciting year of growth for our region as Council invests in a sustainable and positive future for all our Whitsunday communities. My Council will continue to provide strong united leadership in Growing our Region.
Mayor Andrew Willcox