Let's take a deep dive into Douglas Shire's books
Council budget
Douglas Shire Council is debt-free, has delivered a more than $800,000 budget surplus despite predicting a deficit, and is earning a healthy amount of interest on cash in the bank following the receipt of millions of dollars in Federal and State Government loans for repairs after Cyclone Jasper.
The DSC Annual Report, released last week, paints another out-of-the-ordinary picture compared to many average yearly budgets of Australian councils due to the 2024/25 financial year still being heavily affected by the events of December 2023 and its aftermath.
For example, disaster-related government grants and other contributions totalled close to $42m, with a portion of that currently earning the Shire valuable interest before the works take place.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the report showcased the council’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and vibrant region.
“This year has been about rebuilding and reconnecting,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
The council received $47.5m last financial year in government grant money for specific projects such as fixing roads, up from 7.2m the year before, but received $11.3m in general-purpose grants, down from $32.9m in 2023/24.
The interest the council earnt came in at about $770,000 above budget, mainly due to increasing interest rates and the interest accrued on government reconstruction grant money already received.
The DSC made $43.9m from council rates, levies and charges during the 2024/25 year, up $3.1m from $40.8m the year before.
The rates themselves accounted for $20.3m of this, water charges earnt $9.6m, sewerage $8.8m and waste $5.9m.
Net rates and charges came in at close to $150,000 above budget, mainly due to property-value growth and increased water usage.
The council’s total operating revenue was about $67.5m and the operating expenses were about $66.7m, resulting in an about $840,000 surplus - despite a predicted budget deficit of about $530,000.
The council’s total income was about $115.1m, up more than $22m from $92.4m the previous year.
The total expenses were $68.4m, down more than $29m from $97.5m the year before, leading to a net result of $46.7m better off on the year before.
The total comprehensive council income was $57m, up from $13.8m in 2023/24, leading to current cash assets of $63.7m - $34.7m more than the previous year.
Council money spent on larger projects included up to $2.2m on the $4.75m splash park in Port Douglas and $500,000 towards the Tourism Port Douglas Daintree organisation.
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