RESIDENTS in the Burdekin Shire will pay no additional rates this financial year with council announcing a rate freeze as they handed down their 2020/12 budget.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin acknowledged the impact COVID-19 had on residents and businesses when she handed down her back to basics budget on Tuesday.
Cr McLaughlin said the budget had a clear focus on delivering essential services, while not placing greater burden on ratepayers.
A freeze has also been placed on most utility charges.
"Despite our 2020/21 Budget discussions beginning prior to the pandemic being declared in Australia, council has adapted quickly and ensured the final budget recognises the struggles faced by our community while still funding new capital projects across key departments," Cr McLaughlin said.
"We will continue to make decisions that ensure our community remain strong and resilient as we recover from the impacts of the pandemic on international economies and support our ratepayers to be in the best financial position moving forward."
Cr McLaughling said to achieve the rate freeze, could would incur a modest deficit funded by money set aside in reserve funds.
She said there would be no job losses at council as a result.
A number of capital works projects, which are to be either fully or partially funded by the state and federal governments are included in the budget.
These including starting work on a $10 million upgrade of the Ayr/ Brandon water supply, more than $620,000 for local roads and completing projects including the Burdekin Theatre refurbishment and $120,000 for the installation of exercise equipment at Home Hill.
