Frequently Asked Questions

There are several factors that can impact a council's budget.  These may include:

1. Revenue Sources (i.e. grants from higher levels of government and fees and charges collected by council).
2. Economic Conditions - during periods of economic growth there may be increased revenue from taxes and fees.  Conversely, during an economic downturn, there may be a decrease in revenue, leading to budget constraints.
3. Expenditure Priorities - Councils may prioritise areas such as infrastructure, public safety and environmental initiatives.  These priorities will influence the budget allocation for each area.
4. Population Growth -  a growing population may require additional investment in schools, public services and infrastructure which can increase budgetary needs.
5. Cost of Services - factors such as inflation, labour and material costs can influence the overall budgetary requirements for service provision.
6. Legislative Changes - new laws or regulations may require additional funding or result in change to revenue sources, impacting the overall budget.

It is a complex process that requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure the efficient allocation of funds.

The 2024-2025 Budget will service the 45,000+ residents and local business across the Scenic Rim.

Disaster management and recovery

Responding to events such as severe storms, floods and bushfires requires the mobilisation and re-direction of resources within Council  to be able to support our community. Council prioritises supporting our region's recovery, including restoring road networks, drainage and other essential services.

Cost of Living

External economic and environmental factors have caused shortages in the supply of materials and labour. Rises in interest rates and fuel prices place pressure on suppliers' margins as the cost of running their business increases. This results in contract costs escalating, particularly for capital, as well as an increase in project risk exposure, forcing council to reassess project scopes, delivery timeframes and funding sources.

Alternative income streams

These include fees and charges, grants and subsidies, revenue from public utilities (such as water and electricity), leases or rentals of council-owned properties. 

Figures below are based on the 2023-2024 adopted budget.

$51.39   Roads infrastructure network

$12.88   Council and Public Facilities Maintenance

$8.24     Regulatory and Environmental Services

$7.13     Parks, Recreation Spaces and Cemetery Services

$6.22     Community Development and Cultural Services

$4.66     Library Services

$4.36     Economic Development and Regional Events

$1.10     Disaster Management Program

In April 2024, Scenic Rim Regional Council swore in a new Council consisting of 7 elected members, who will serve as Council until 2028. 

As this is the first Budget delivered by the new Council, due diligence is being afforded to the Budget process, allowing newly elected members to have the necessary foresight and inclusion in the formulation of the Draft 2024-2025 Budget.

As a result of this, the format in which we manage community consultation for the Budget has changed. Your feedback is still as important as ever, and Council wants to hear from the community regarding their priorities for the Budget, in an effort for the new Council to deliver a Budget that is reflective of community preference, within measure.

You can find a full overview of the services that Council delivers by reading Council’s Service Catalogue.