Toowoomba Regional Council hands down its 2016-17 budget

The $487 million council budget included $64.6 million in capital funding for roads, $44.2 million for water and waste capital projects and $15.7 million for parks and open space.

"At a time when funding from higher levels of government is increasingly difficult to obtain, this council has taken the bit by the teeth and improved efficiencies and developed ways to deliver ongoing value for money," he said.

Cr Antonio said the majority of residential ratepayers would pay an extra $93 a year, which included all rates and charges.

Some of the major budget measures were:

• $50.5 million over four years for connections with Mort and Boundary streets in preparation for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.
• $5 million to start concept and detailed design planning and start construction of a new works depot at Charlton.
• $4.76 million for the redevelopment of the Toowoomba City Hall stage area.
• $24.8 million for capital wastewater projects across the region, including $4.73 million for sewerage infrastructure at Meringandan West.
• $3.5 million for further works on the Queens Park master plan implementation project.

The council will have a $196.71 million capital spend in 2016-17, including:

• $18.33 million on civic assets (buildings)
• $9.87 million on other assets
• $16.46 million on parks and recreation
• $15.12 million on plant and equipment
• $125,000 on regulated parking
• $24.83 million on sewerage
• $955,000 on stormwater drainage
• $69.46 million on roads
• $22.2 million on waste management
• $19.36 on water

Cr Antonio said the council was focused on growing its rates base to help raise the millions of dollars required for roads, water, sewerage, drainage and social infrastructure in coming years.

"The cost to deliver major infrastructure projects does not, however, belong to council alone," he said.

"We will be continuing to take this message to all levels of government this year, as well as again seek private investment opportunities.

"We owe it to our community to demonstrate leadership and advocate on their behalf.

"We are already taking our list of priorities to key decision makers ahead of the upcoming federal election."

The spending will be distributed across the council's population bases:

• Clifton $1.78 million (0.9 per cent)
• Crows Nest $28.96 million (14.7 per cent)
• Goombungee $11.15 million (5.7 per cent)
• Greenmount $2.82 million (1.4 per cent)
• Millmerran $5.72 million (2.9 per cent)
• Oakey $37.76 million (19.2 per cent)
• Pittsworth $7.24 million (3.7 million)
• Toowoomba $65.92 million (33.5 per cent)
• Region-wide initiatives $35.34 million (18 per cent)

Toowoomba was the eighth south-east Queensland council to hand down its 2016-17 budget.

The biggest average rates rise so far has been Brisbane City Council, which will slug its residents with a 4.7 per cent rates rise.

Moreton Bay residents will have an average rates increase of 2.98 per cent.

Sunshine Coast delivered a 2.5 per cent rise in rates and charges, while Noosa – which already had some of the most expensive rates in south-east Queensland – had an increase of 1.9 per cent.

Both the Somerset and Scenic Rim regional councils delivered a 2.5 per cent average rates rise on Thursday.

The lowest rates rise in south-east Queensland so far was the Gold Coast City Council's, which was an average 1.69 per cent.