Council takes blame for cost hit

A NORTH-WEST council has berated its own financial performance as it raises rates by 4 per cent and reports an overall operating deficit of over $1 million.

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam says the council would be “taking a good look at itself” in light of the budget for the 2019-2020 financial year.

Cr Quilliam said taking on a new indoor pool facility had hurt the council financially but benefited the community and it was being well used.

“Taking on the Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation and Leisure centre has been a big thing for us, and while it is operating at a loss there is no denying it’s an important community asset,” he said.

“But with an overall operating deficit of $1.06 million in the coming financial year, we really need to take a good look at ourselves, how much we are spending and how we operate.”

The council will now audit its service levels to see if there were any savings or other efficiencies to be made.

“That’ll include everything from how often we grade roads, sweep the streets, clean facilities, empty bins and the like,” Cr Quilliam said.

He said rates would rise by 4 per cent this financial year and that would ease some cost pressure.

The rate increase will come at the same time as municipal revaluations, which are used to calculate rates.

“This is why we need to be clear with the community and ask them want they want, how much they are willing to pay for, and whether they believe they are getting value for money,” Cr Quilliam said.

The council’s capital works program will be pared back to $2.6 million, the biggest item of which will be the $800,000 Mawbanna Rd upgrade.