General News
18 May, 2023
Rate rise, $6.8 million flood damage repairs listed in council’s draft budget
Rates and waste charges are set to rise for Central Goldfields Shire residents as council notes its latest and “challenging” draft budget, which boasts a raft of projects across the district including almost $7 million to repair flood damaged...
Rates and waste charges are set to rise for Central Goldfields Shire residents as council notes its latest and “challenging” draft budget, which boasts a raft of projects across the district including almost $7 million to repair flood damaged roads.
At a special meeting on Tuesday night, councillors received and noted the draft budget for the 2023/24 financial year, moving that the draft be open for public comment and submissions until June 9, 2023.
The draft budget includes a proposed rate increase of 3.5 percent, in line with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System rate cap, as well as an 8.7 percent increase in council’s waste charges.
The report states property valuations for the shire have risen by over $500 million, meaning that although rates are rising by 3.5 percent, the rate in the dollar is reduced for most differentials and may result in some residents receiving less than a 3.5 percent increase and others receivingmore.
Council did not apply to the State Government for a rate cap variation, according to the report, and the increase to waste charges will ensure the cost of council’s waste management function is fully funded by waste charges.
Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting, councillor Chris Meddows-Taylor said creating a draft budget is “challenging” and encouraged feedback from residents.
“We have spent months looking at this to see where we can maintain the services we need to for the community and also maintain our rich gold rush infrastructure, as well as our roads — it’s a challenging ask,” he said.
“This is a draft budget and this is for community input.
“We’ll be running two live Facebook sessions and the purpose of that is to help people understand where the money is being spent and why we’re spending it in those areas.”
While costs to ratepayers may increase under the proposed budget, the draft includes a substantial $18.5 million capital works program, $12.3 million of which has been sourced from external grants.
Programs and projects highlighted in the capital works program include a $6.8 million road restoration program to repair local roads following the October 2022 floods, building upgrades to the Maryborough Town Hall, redevelopment of the Deledio Reserve netball courts, continuation of the Maryborough Railway Station activation project, completion of the Talbot Futures planning project and feasibility and design work for a new youth hub.
Funded programs to continue for the next financial year, according to the draft, include the Engage Youth Program, Freeza, L2P, Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program, Kerbside Reform Program and Flood recovery coordination.
Cr Geoff Lovett said part of the budget ensured existing and new council programs would be delivered.
“The 2023 budget has been developed with the basis of implementing over 30 policies and strategies developed by council in consultation with the community,” he said.
“The budget outlines the resources required to deliver the diverse and extensive range of services we provide the Central Goldfields community.”
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella spoke to the challenging financial times the budget has been drafted in.
“It (the budget) has been developed at a challenging time with rapidly rising interest rates, cost of living and housing affordability pressures a challenge for all Australians,” she said.
“These economic challenges also impact on council’s ability to balance our budget — with rising costs running well ahead of the rate cap set by the Victorian Government for the 2023-2024 year.
“In 2022/23 the rate cap was set at 1.75 percent in a year where CPI hit a high of 8.4 percent. The rate cap for 2023/24 is set at 3.5 percent, well below the current rate of inflation which means we need to reduce our expenditure to remain financially sustainable.”
Residents are encouraged to tune in to two online information sessions via council’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 30 from 12 to 12.30 pm and Monday, June 5 from 12.30 to 1 pm.
The live sessions will be recorded and available to watch back for those unable to tune in.
To view the draft budget and provide feedback head to www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/draftbudget2023