Townsville City Council’s visionary plan to grow Townsville into a globally connected, sustainable and progressive city has been bolstered by the 2021/22 financial year’s efforts as outlined in the latest annual report.
The Annual Report details Council’s activities between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022 and was endorsed at October’s Ordinary Council meeting after being audited by the Queensland Audit Office on behalf of the Auditor-General.
Mayor Jenny Hill said Council exercised strong financial management throughout the year, delivering a surplus of $3.5 million while focusing on the growth of future industries.
“Council invested a significant $176 million into capital works like roads, footpaths, water infrastructure and wastewater assets in the 2021/22 financial year, delivering on the core services that help keep our city moving,” Cr Hill said.
“But as a Council we’re looking beyond the next 12 months and are laying down the foundations for our city to take advantage of emerging energy industries, future-proofing our community’s employment opportunities.
“As part of this, we set aside more than $18 million in the 2021/22 budget to develop the city’s hydrogen strategy, reduce waste going to landfill, and building resilience through our natural environment.
“As part of this growth industry boost, we are continuing to support developments like the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct and NQ SPARK, both of which are also receiving funding from the federal government.”
Cr Hill said Council had also delivered on its goal to support local sporting and cultural groups.
“In the last financial year Council played its part in bringing world-class entertainment to Townsville with events like the North Australian Festival of Arts, Supercars and the Rugby Championship double-header,” she said.
“These events not only had knock-on financial benefits for our city, but they also show strong confidence in Townsville’s ability to support and cater for these significant events.”
Cr Hill said the report on the Annual Report 2021/22, which was also endorsed at the Ordinary Council meeting, showed the organisation’s commitment to Townsville.
“Council’s Corporate Plan is a detailed roadmap towards establishing Townsville as a globally-connected community, and our activities in the 2021/22 financial year show we are on track to reaching our corporate goals,” she said
Key statistics from 2021/22 financial year:
- 803 development applications decided
- 6.4 million bins collected
- 79,370 tonnes diverted from landfill
- 18,696 megalitres of wastewater processed
- 43,545 megalitres of water treated
- 351 parks maintained and enhanced
- 259,721 customer service interactions
- 60 major events
- 694,039 library physical and digital loans