MEDIA RELEASE | MODERATE AND REALISTIC 2022-23 BUDGET FOR COOK

The yearly Budget directs how Shire funds will be spent over the following 12 months, providing transparency and strategic direction.

“Council worked hard to deliver a moderate and realistic budget that will achieve significant savings to offset the current inflationary pressures,” said Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott.

Mayor Scott also noted that the Budget recognises that Council is challenged to meet the operational costs of delivering essential services with minimal rates revenue and is heavily dependent on State and Federal grants for operational and capital expenditure.

Budget highlights include:

• $73.8m budget to deliver a wide range of services and projects across the Shire
• $52.1m in projected State and Federal grants

Operational Projects

• $37.4m for ongoing maintenance to roads, footpaths, drainage, and public works
• $7.2m for provision of essential water, sewerage and waste services
• $3m for community lifestyle projects (pools, libraries, parks and community facilities)
• Up to $100,000 to support regional housing development
• $40,000 to progress an Aviation Park development at Cooktown Airport
• $20,000 to upgrade Cooktown Airport fire safety equipment
• $20,000 to implement Reconciliation Action Plan initiatives 

Capital Projects:

$25m Capital Works Program ($23.9m grants) that includes:

• $1.8m for upgrade of Coen Airport
• $350,000 for building refurbishments to Cooktown aged-care units
• $100,000 for the upgrade to signage and maintenance at Cooktown Cemetery
• $30,000 for the Bloomfield Memorial Wall

“We’ve tried to ensure our ratepayers are getting bang for their buck with this carefully crafted budget and the 3% increase in this year’s rates that is very much in line with what many other local governments around Queensland have announced,” said Mayor Scott

While exercising caution and austerity, the Shire has carefully selected priorities for the 2022-23 financial year, with the organisation’s Strategic Community Plan providing guidance

“Council takes the allocation of ratepayer’s funding very seriously and as such, every project proposed for funding in 2022-23 has been looked into very carefully,” said Mayor Scott. “It is imperative that we deliver high priority projects that help realise long-term goals and growth for our community.”

For more information, contact Cook Shire Council via email at mail@cook.qld.gov.au or phone on 4082 0500.

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