Did you know?Did you know?

Information about the Cassowary Information about the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.Coast Regional Council.

Presented by Cr. Jennifer Downs Presented by Cr. Jennifer Downs – 11– 11thth August 2009. August 2009.

That Cassowary Coast Regional That Cassowary Coast Regional Council is the 20Council is the 20thth biggest biggest Council in Queensland?Council in Queensland?

Council now has a Corporate Council now has a Corporate Plan for the next ten years and Plan for the next ten years and

an Operational Plan that is an Operational Plan that is reviewed quarterly.reviewed quarterly.

A Service Review Process is now A Service Review Process is now underway – one of the first underway – one of the first

strategies looked at was Fleet strategies looked at was Fleet and Plant Use – and how to and Plant Use – and how to

reduce those costsreduce those costs..

Council’s Fuel bill for 2008-09 was Council’s Fuel bill for 2008-09 was $1.2mill.$1.2mill.

Other services reviews include:Other services reviews include:

Levels of Grass Cutting, Park Levels of Grass Cutting, Park Maintenance, Library Services, Maintenance, Library Services, Insurances, all facilities provided to the Insurances, all facilities provided to the community – corporate services community – corporate services generally.generally.

Aim – looking for savingsAim – looking for savings

Council has also set up an Audit Council has also set up an Audit Review Committee of 3 Community Review Committee of 3 Community members and 3 Councillors to members and 3 Councillors to establish a framework to support a establish a framework to support a culture of compliance and risk culture of compliance and risk management.management.

Council experienced a $500,000 decrease Council experienced a $500,000 decrease in income as a result of interest rate in income as a result of interest rate decreases due to the Global Financial decreases due to the Global Financial Crisis. Crisis.

Key Infrastructure Projects needing Key Infrastructure Projects needing funding just for water and funding just for water and sewerage projects across our sewerage projects across our region total $60 million.region total $60 million.

Recent changes to State Govt. Recent changes to State Govt. policy for the whole of Queensland policy for the whole of Queensland means that there are no new State means that there are no new State Govt. subsidies for this work so we Govt. subsidies for this work so we need to find solutions.need to find solutions.

Withdrawal of proposed subsidies Withdrawal of proposed subsidies for water and sewerage by the for water and sewerage by the State Government add $5,000 to State Government add $5,000 to the cost of the average new the cost of the average new dwelling.dwelling.

Council knows that we need to Council knows that we need to work work with with State and Federal State and Federal Governments in a culture of non-Governments in a culture of non-blame to solve our challenges – we blame to solve our challenges – we cannot do it alone.cannot do it alone.

Just some of our challenges:Just some of our challenges:

Our abundant rainfall is a mixed Our abundant rainfall is a mixed blessing. Council needs to blessing. Council needs to maintain 168 bridges across our maintain 168 bridges across our region – in various stages of repair.region – in various stages of repair.

Our sealed road network is 621k’s Our sealed road network is 621k’s long. Council’s major asset. long. Council’s major asset.

Unsealed roads – 526k. Unsealed roads – 526k.

Council’s budget for 2009-Council’s budget for 2009-2010 is $65 million.2010 is $65 million.

Revenue from 15,302 ratable Revenue from 15,302 ratable assessments totals $51,652,966.assessments totals $51,652,966.

Other Income – F.A.G., Other Income – F.A.G., T.I.D.S.,N.D.R.R.A.T.I.D.S.,N.D.R.R.A.

Upcoming Community Events:Upcoming Community Events:

Baby Boomers Focus Group - Liveable Baby Boomers Focus Group - Liveable Cassowary Coast project – 12Cassowary Coast project – 12thth August August

Senior’s Week – next week – Bus Trip and Senior’s Week – next week – Bus Trip and function at Innisfail Shire Hall – more info function at Innisfail Shire Hall – more info from Library.from Library.

Bikeway Strategy Meeting with consultants Bikeway Strategy Meeting with consultants – Mission Beach – at C4 theatrette – – Mission Beach – at C4 theatrette – 5.30pm on Monday 175.30pm on Monday 17thth August. August.