A Commitment to Ratepayers - Reflections from Councillor Nathenea McNamara

When I first ran for Mackay Regional Council, one of the issues I heard most often from residents was rates.

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People wanted to know how decisions were being made, whether council was operating efficiently and whether every opportunity was being taken to ensure value for money.

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It was one of the reasons I put my hand up for council.

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Over the past two years, I have spent a great deal of time learning about the budget process and asking questions about how council operates financially. What I have learned is that local government budgets are complex, involving hundreds of services, projects, assets and responsibilities that support our community every day.

I have also learned that good financial outcomes do not happen by accident. They come from examining the detail, challenging assumptions and continually looking for opportunities to do things better.

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One of the concerns I regularly hear from residents is whether council is operating as efficiently as it can. These are valid questions, and they are questions councillors should continue asking.

While important work has been done to improve budget scrutiny and accountability, I believe there is always room for improvement. As technology evolves and new ways of delivering services emerge, council must continue looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, modernise processes and ensure we are achieving the best possible value for ratepayers.

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The upcoming budget is one of the most important decisions councillors make each year. It is about balancing the services and infrastructure our community relies upon with the cost pressures being experienced by households, retirees, farmers and businesses across our region.

My commitment remains the same as it was when I first sought election: to ask questions, carefully consider the options before us and ensure the interests of Mackay ratepayers remain at the centre of every decision.

At the end of the day, every dollar matters.

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