Flood recovery and frontline services a major focus for tough 2022-23 Budget
17 June 2022
Ipswich residents can expect a focus on flood recovery and boosting council’s delivery of community services when the 2022-23 Budget is handed down later this month.
The 2022-23 Budget will be delivered on 30 June, but Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding flagged that it had been prepared amid a unique set of circumstances and financial pressures on several fronts.
“Council has worked hard to maintain a sound financial position despite external forces such as the flood events of February and April, the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, war in the Ukraine, inflation, and cost-of-living pressures being felt right across our nation,” said Mayor Harding.
“Our residents are facing cost pressures like never before: rising interest rates on home mortgages, spiralling petrol prices, grocery bills jumping almost daily. We know people are taking a hit in the back pocket and it is impacting everywhere.
“Obviously, council is not immune to the cost pressures of inflation and effects on our supply chains. That is why we are exercising tight controls over spending, while focusing investment in critical areas such as flood recovery and ensuring we continue to deliver for the community.
“Council had some tough decisions to make as we balance community need in our fast-growing city with financial responsibility.”
Mayor Harding said council had received some State and Federal government funding to assist with the delivery of various recovery and repair works. However, it will not cover the full cost impact of this year’s floods.
“In the past three months, council has filled thousands of potholes, repaired and reopened more than 100 roads, bridges and recreation areas, and completed urgent works fix the Ipswich Civic Centre. Council has spent close to $5 million to-date on flood recovery and we still have a long road ahead,” Mayor Harding said.
“While cost of living pressures may continue to rise, our council team never cut back on their commitment to the community and the excellent job they do day-in, day-out. Council will continue to support and deliver for the community during these challenging times.”
Council’s 2022-23 Budget will continue to advance its corporate plan and the iFuture shared vision: Ipswich – a city of opportunity for all.