Mount Isa City Council has handed down its 2022-23 Budget, bringing a 6 per cent general rates increase and $34.375 million investment in capital works.

“The rate rise of 6 per cent is one of the most difficult and regrettable decisions this council has had to make,” Mayor Danielle Slade said.

“While there were aspects of the budget I would have liked to have seen changed or restrained, there is no doubt this is a responsible budget with a lot of exciting projects.

“I will continue to ensure that decisions made at council are responsible, transparent and in the interests of residents.”

The 2022-23 capital works budget includes $8.9 million for the city’s Materials Recovery Facility, $6.6 million for roads and drainage, $6.475 million for buildings and other structures, $4.6 million for water and sewerage, $3.5 million for plant and equipment, $2.3 million for the Family Fun Precinct upgrade and $2 million for Smart Water Meters.

In Camooweal, the council will be spending $200,000 on roads, drainage and parks; $200,000 on sewer and water; and $250,000 for internal renovations of the Camooweal Town Hall.

Mount Isa City Council is also proposing a 3 per cent increase in water charges, and 6 per cent increases in both sewer and waste charges.

For the 2022-23 financial year, the council is expected to have an operating revenue of $69 million and an operational expenditure of $70.83 million.

“After two years of extraordinary challenges and difficulties, the Mount Isa community, and indeed the rest of Australia, is slowly getting back onto its feet and is now on the road to recovery,” Cr Slade said.

“Mount Isa City Council responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by having a 0 per cent overall rate increase in 2020-21, and a 3.75 per cent increase in 2021-22.

“These steps were to assist the community to navigate through one of the most difficult periods it has ever faced, without having a long-term negative effect on council’s future budgets and council’s ability to deliver necessary services, projects and works to the community.”