On Tuesday 26 June, Golden Plains Shire Council adopted the 2018-19 Budget and the updated Council Plan 2017-21 at its Council meeting, following a wide-ranging engagement and submission process.
2018-19 Council Budget
In line with the State Government's Fair Go Rates System, the Budget supports an average rate increase of 2.25% per assessment. It sees $15.1M investment in capital assets including roads, streets and infrastructure (including increased expenditure of $750K allocated to the construction and maintenance of road and street infrastructure, in direct response to community feedback), $5.5M to support and develop our recreation and community spaces and groups, $2M to human support services, including children, aged, disability and maternity support and $1.9M towards managing Council's environmental and land use planning responsibilities.
Community submissions to the draft Budget closed on Monday 28 May and Council received 34 submissions from members of our community. Council held its special meeting of Council on Tuesday 12 June to consider the submissions, and three residents presented in support of their submissions.
The Budget saw changes as a result of this community feedback, specifically a reduction in the amount of the proposed child care fee.
Cr Helena Kirby, Mayor, said Council would like to thank everyone who provided us with feedback.
“The community made their views clear and Council agreed to reduce the proposed fee increase to $123 per day and $565 for a five day service, which is equivalent to $113 per day.
"We have a passionate community and we appreciate residents taking the time to give us their thoughts and feedback.
"I'm glad we were able to react positively to the community feedback about the child care fee, and I want to reassure our families, and the wider community, that your thoughts are important to us and that we are listening to you.
"There was no change to the proposed Garbage Charge. We will continue to closely monitor the effects of the global recycling crisis and re-evaluate should the situation change.
"It's important to note that the Budget definitely does meet the State Government rate cap. The average rate increase for 2018-19 is 2.25%; while individual ratepayer's increases may be more or less than this, the average increase is 2.25%.
"This year's Budget process has been a busy and challenging time, and Council greatly appreciates the passion and input of our community."
Council Plan 2017-2021
The Council Plan, including the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, is a four year plan that describes Council's mission, vision, values, strategic objectives and directions, and indicators for achievements. It was developed last year with extensive community consultation and was updated this year with community and staff feedback, which covered themes such as:
Strengths:
- Rigorous community engagement processes
- Focus on community
- Focus on health and wellbeing
- Structure and clarity.
Issues:
- Lack of awareness of the document among some staff and community members
- Lack of annual action plans
- Insufficient monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
The next steps are for Council to develop a comprehensive Action Plan and develop a monitoring and evaluation framework (ready for the 2018-19 financial year).
Cr Helena Kirby, Mayor, said the changes reflect the intention of Council to ensure the document truly reflects community values.
"We wanted to make sure this remains a living, breathing document," she said.
"Four years can be a long time for a community and we will keep checking in to make sure where we're headed is where our community wants us to go.
"We're especially focussed on ensuring our Health and Wellbeing priorities, with the community, are meeting the needs of the community across all areas of Council service delivery," added Cr Kirby.
"Council is happy to hear from residents at any time about how they feel we're tracking and where we could improve," she concluded.
The Council Plan guides Council across four strategic pillars:
- Promoting Healthy and Connected Communities
- Enhancing Local Economies
- Managing Built and Natural Environments
- Delivering Good Governance and Leadership.
Find out more
2018-19 Budget: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/budget
Council Plan 2017-2021: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/residents/my-council/about-council/council-plan-and-strategicresource-plan
– ENDS –
Released by: Eric Braslis, CEO, Golden Plains Shire Council
Media contact: Ann Card, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council
P. 5220 7147 │ E. [email protected]
Golden Plains Shire Council News Hub │ Have Your Say projects │ Community events calendar