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General News

20 May, 2024

Draft budget submissions open for Pyrenees Shire Council

Pyrenees Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2024-2025 has been released for public comment after a special council meeting this month. Pyrenees mayor Cr Robert Vance said the budget is fiscally responsible, balancing a determination to maintain current...

By Maryborough Advertiser

Draft budget submissions open for Pyrenees Shire Council - feature photo

Pyrenees Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2024-2025 has been released for public comment after a special council meeting this month.

Pyrenees mayor Cr Robert Vance said the budget is fiscally responsible, balancing a determination to maintain current services against static revenue streams and high inflation while also considering financial sustainability.

“It’s a very tricky balancing act given the environment local government is operating in, but we believe this budget is cost-conscious and responsible.”

Cr Vance said council had to develop its budget in the context of the State Government’s rate cap — set at 2.75 percent for 2024-25 — where revenue is not keeping pace with cost increases.

He said the budget has also been impacted by the Victorian Government’s decision to not index the funding it provides for some council services.

“These factors have placed a significant burden on council if it is to retain current service levels,” Cr Vance said.

“As a result, council has had to adjust the 2024-2025 capital works program by not indexing spending to inflation, meaning a decrease in capital works over the coming year.

“Council is very conscious that this is not a sustainable management practice for our road assets, and it highlights the huge importance of the local government sector — including Pyrenees — to continue lobbying the Federal Government for additional untied grants to support small rural councils like ours.”

Cr Vance said the draft budget also reflected the additional financial burdens placed on council by ongoing costs from flooding in 2022 and this year’s Bayindeen fire emergency.

Pyrenees Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2024-25 is available on the council’s website www.pyrenees.vic .gov.au/draftbudget.

At a council meeting to be held at the Beaufort Shire Office, 5 Lawrence Street, Beaufort, commencing at 6 pm, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 the Pyrenees Shire Council will formally consider:

Adoption of the proposed Budget 2024/25

Declaration of Rates and Charges for the period 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025

Adoption of the 10 year Financial Plan ending 2034

Adoption of the revised Revenue and Rating Plan.

Pursuant to Sections 94 and 96 of the Local Government Act 2020 and 223 of the Local Government Act 1989 (1989 Act) any person has a right to make a written submission on any proposal contained

in the Proposed Budget 2024/25, 10 year Financial Plan, and the Revenue and Rating Plan.

Submissions must be received by council before 9 am on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Submissions should be addressed to Chief Executive Officer, Pyrenees Shire, 5 Lawrence Street, Beaufort VIC 3373 or via email to pyrenees@pyrenees.vic.gov.au.

Any person who wishes to be heard in support of a submission received by council should indicate in the written submission that he or she wishes to be heard.

Any person requesting that he or she be heard in support of a submission is entitled to appear before a meeting of the council either personally or by a person acting on their behalf at a council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 18 2024 in Beaufort.

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