More services. More infrastructure spending. No rate increase.

The new Noosa Council has wasted no time in delivering on the core promises of increased services and it's happening without an increase in rates.

Mayor Noel Playford says a financially disciplined approach is at the heart of the way the new council will function, and this will allow it to deliver more for the community.

• Kerbside bulk rubbish pick-up is to be brought back.
• There will be more street-sweeping and maintenance of roads and public areas.
• An increase in infrastructure spending.
• No rise in rates.

Mr Playford describes the council's first half-year budget as a tight one that delivers promises responsibly.

The operational budget has a small surplus, and the capital works program for the first six months will be $5.7 million.   He says that's already an increase on what the Sunshine Coast Council planned to spend in Noosa.

The Mayor says that over the next six months the new council will have time to put all of its spending under the microscope and find ways of freeing up more money for capital works in the next full year budget later this year.

How is all of this being achieved without a rate rise?   Mr Playford says our shire has been through a five year period in which services were reduced to the levels of the rest of the Sunshine Coast while rates were increased substantially. 

The Mayor says the balance is now being restored in favour of Noosa ratepayers.

"We have fought a long campaign to be in charge of our own future.  It means that once again we are able to spend ratepayers' dollars right here in Noosa and give local people more value for their money."

Just hours after the historic declaration of office ceremony at Cooroy this morning the new council held its first meeting at the Tewantin chambers, with the centrepiece the handing down of  the six month budget.

Mr Playford says the new team has been working closely together since the election, and he's quietly proud of what has been achieved already.  "We have a lot of work ahead of us in the next couple of years" he says, "but this is a good beginning."

2 January 2014