Golden Plains Shire Council Budget

Golden Plains Shire Council Budget 2023/24 (the Budget) was adopted by Council at its meeting on 28 June 2023, locking in more than $49m to deliver more than 70 services to the Golden Plains community.

The Budget reflects Council’s commitment to striking a balance between rate revenue, the long-term financial sustainability of Golden Plains, whilst maintaining and improving services that are valued by our community, within the 3.5% maximum rate cap as set by the Minister for Local Government.

Download the Budget

Key Features of Budget 2023/24

This budget recognises the current economic climate with inflationary pressures and significant increases in costs, noting inflation is trending towards 8%, utility costs have increased up to 11%, civil construction costs up to 15% higher than historic levels, commercial building rate increases up to 20% higher than historic levels, and material costs for items such as gravel, concrete and steel have increased upwards of 20%-40%. Council is continuing to support customers experiencing financial hardship by including $50k for a rate rebate to assist those in need.

$49.1m to deliver more than 70 services to the Golden Plains community
$22.5m continued investment in capital assets
$1.1m for resealing local roads
$900k for improvements to local roads
$800k for local gravel roads re-sheeting
$200k for kerb and channel projects
$856k for community safety
$758k for community development
$75k for LED street lighting
$1.9m for bridge renewal and replacement
$500k for emergency drainage works
$400k for drainage program
$809k for stormwater drainage improvements
$468k on economic development
$478k on youth development
$50k for community and recreation facility beautification/safety works
3.50% rates cap in 2023/24

Community Infrastructure Projects in Budget 2023/24

$805k Bannockburn Skate Park
$350k Maude Community Hall
$450k Bannockburn Family Services Centre extension
$500k Woady Yaloak (Smythesdale) Lighting
$1.79m Bannockburn Vic Park Netball Pavilion
$1.8m Teesdale Don Wallace Rec Reserve Clubroom Improvements
$2.3m Inverleigh Active Youth Space

Key Operational Programs included in Budget 2023/24

Preparation of an Open Space Strategy for the Shire
Continuation of the Community Strengthening Grants Program
Funding for six more communities to progress through the Community Planning Program
Development of 2 recreation reserve masterplans for the Smythesdale Gardens/Brewery Dam and Woady Yaloak Equestrian Centre to guide future development
Completion and adoption of the Tracks and Trails Strategy
Completion and adoption of the Footpath Strategy
Completion and community consultation on Waste Services transition to reflect State mandated 4 bin service
Completion and adoption of Moorabool River Reserve Masterplan
Continued development and implementation of the Core Systems Transformation Project
Implementation of new Learning and Development and Performance Management Strategy
Development and implementation of the Safety & Wellbeing Strategy
Funding for various programs to support active ageing, youth development, and the general health, wellbeing and inclusion of all cohorts across the community