Western Downs Regional Council handed down its 2025-26 Budget today, announcing major capital investment in the region's roads, water supply infrastructure, and a focus on responsible delivery of essential services.
Western Downs Regional Council's new $269 million Budget was endorsed at the Ordinary Meeting of Council in Dalby today, committing $83 million to deliver 150 capital projects across the region in 2025-26, including major investment in the region's road infrastructure and water supply networks.
Mayor Andrew Smith said Council had already acquired $32.2 million in external grant funding and other contributions to bring down the costs of delivering quality essential services and capital projects in the year ahead.
"This budget is proof of our Council's continued commitment to operating within our means and ensures we can deliver improved services and infrastructure, invest in new projects to drive economic growth, and enhance the liveability of the Western Downs," Cr Smith said.
"Council remains in a healthy financial position with a budgeted total operating expenditure of $186 million and a total capital investment of $83 million back into projects that ensure the Western Downs is a great place to live, work, play and prosper."
Rural, commercial and industrial businesses, and residential households will see only a 3.5% rate increase while rates for renewable energy, resource and intensive agricultural industries will increase by 5%.
"Mindful of cost-of-living pressures, we've kept rate increases to the absolute minimum needed to deliver key services, capital projects and essential new infrastructure," Cr Smith said.
"Our rates align high quality service delivery with responsible financial management while continuing to enhance the great liveability of the Western Downs."
Cr Smith said the Budget prioritised vital improvements to the region's road, water and waste infrastructure, guided by the strategic priorities of 'strong, diverse economy' and 'quality lifestyle'.
"Our roads keep us connected and drive economic productivity, so we've allocated $53 million for maintenance and capital improvements to our local roads, bridges, footpaths and stormwater infrastructure," he said.
"Council will also continue to aggressively advocate to the State and Federal Governments to give us the funding we need to improve the condition and safety of the 1800kms of national highway and state-controlled roads in our region.
"Water is our single most important resource, so we've invested more than $24.7 million into capital water supply, water treatment and wastewater infrastructure including the continuation of the Dalby water supply project and commencement of the raising of Jandowae Dam Spillway.
"Our community will also see $1.68 million in capital improvements to our waste transfer stations and landfills at Wandoan, Tara, Jandowae, Moonie and Miles.
"We're building the future for our thriving region, and it is vital that economic and population growth continues to be supported by modern roads, water supply, and waste infrastructure."
Cr Smith said the Budget also advanced major projects, events and infrastructure that improve the social and cultural wellbeing of residents.
"We know how much our communities love and value our parks, pools and open spaces, and Council is excited to be advancing projects that improve the social, cultural, and wellbeing of the people who call the Western Downs home," he said.
"Council is proud to be investing $3.5 million in capital upgrades to improve regional pools and aquatic facilities including detailed design for a new Chinchilla Aquatic Centre and remediation works to extend the life of the Wandoan pool.
"Our greenspaces are incredibly important to us and to our community, so we are investing more than $5.2 million in capital upgrades to improve our parklands, cemeteries and open spaces.
"This includes a new adventure playground in Thomas Jack Park in Dalby, and new ashes interment gardens at the Miles and Tara cemeteries."
Cr Smith said Council would continue to support a strong tourism economy by investing in events that promote the active, vibrant communities of the Western Downs to the world.
"We will empower local community groups to deliver new and unique initiatives for the region by committing $446,000 through our grants and funding programs and continue to offer financial support to the much-loved events that celebrate our great liveability," he said.
"In the year ahead, we look forward to events like Dalby's Delicious and DeLIGHTful Festival, Miles Back to the Bush Festival, Opera at Jimbour, and Words Out West: Western Downs Readers and Writers Fest – driving our region's tourism for another year.
"This Budget is about delivering high-quality services and investing in capital projects that drive economic growth and enhance the liveability of our active, vibrant communities today and into the future."
