General News
6 May, 2024
Budget feedback invited
The Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) is encouraging residents to provide feedback on the recently announced 2024-25 Draft Budget and Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy. Completion of the octagonal pool project at the Maryborough Outdoor...
The Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) is encouraging residents to provide feedback on the recently announced 2024-25 Draft Budget and Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy.
Completion of the octagonal pool project at the Maryborough Outdoor Pool, renewal works at the Maryborough Town Hall, completion of Deledio Reserve Netball Courts and a nearly $4 million budget to deliver a road reseals and asphalt program are some of the main highlights to come out of what many councillors have called a “tight” budget.
CGSC mayor Liesbeth Long said council is encouraging community feedback on the details of these projects and the document itself.
“Giving feedback on a draft budget typically involves reviewing the proposed financial plan and providing comments, suggestions or critiques to help improve it’s accuracy, feasibility and effectiveness,” she said.
“People can provide feedback on accuracy, completeness of all the necessary expenses and other financial elements are there, how it aligns with our goals, its cost effectiveness and also if it is easy to understand.
“It’s not really for people to go ‘I don’t want this particular project in the budget, I want my road to be asphalted’ — it’s more for people to ensure that it accurately reflects the financial needs and priorities of the shire.
“I’m always in awe that our finance team put this together for us — it’s a lot of work that goes into it from them, staff, and fellow councillors who have lots of discussions about the budget and now the community can get involved.”
The two documents are currently on council’s website, with feedback open to the public either online or by attending the drop-in community information session this Thursday, May 9 at the Maryborough Community Hub, starting at 4 pm.
Cr Long said CGSC encourages anyone who is interested in the council’s budget to attend the event.
“People can drop in anytime between 4 to 7 pm, I will be there and a few other councillors will be there so if people want to talk to someone about the budget, they are more than welcome to do that as well,” she said.
“There will also be two presentations, which in the past shows a snapshot of the budget and details what we are spending on capital works, major projects, funding applications and break it down.”
To view each document and provide feedback online, visit www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/budget2024
The community feedback period closes on Friday, May 24 at 5 pm.