RATERPAYERS will have greater involvement in the consideration of future Southern Downs Regional Council budgets, after the council voted to adopt a new budget process this morning.

The transparent new budget process was voted in by councillors at a meeting currently underway in Stanthorpe.

The new process provides for the Draft Budget, Long Term Financial Forecast and Revenue Statement to be on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with the community encouraged to comment and make submissions to the council.

This is supported by provision of public information sessions on the draft budget at locations across the region.

Council's Mayor, Cr Peter Blundell said traditionally the report to Council to adopt the budget has been treated as confidential in accordance with the Local Government Regulation which provides that a meeting may be closed to discuss the Local Government's budget.

"However, the new process will see the budget report presented to Council in open session, with all written submissions from the public received during the public exhibition period included in the report," he said.

"By providing the draft budget for viewing, information sessions to explain it, along with the avenue for providing feedback to the council before the budget is adopted, the new budget process provides an opportunity for meaningful engagement with the community.

"Obviously this doesn't take away the tough decisions that sometimes need to be made in bringing down a workable budget, but at least it gives the community a greater level of involvement in the process than ever before."