Last night (Tuesday 29 June), Council adopted the Golden Plains Shire Council Budget 2021-2022.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says Council was proud to adopt the budget after incorporating community feedback.
“Council’s budget for the next year sets out our commitment to operating more than 70 services for our communities and maintaining our assets and infrastructure under the rate cap of 1.5%.
“As our Shire continues to feel the impact of COVID-19, Council is proud to provide a further $50,000 to its COVID-19 Financial Relief package, and an additional $50,000 towards a COVID-19 recovery package.
“Thank you to our residents who provided feedback during the recent consultation process. We heard what the community told us and have incorporated a number of changes to the Draft Budget, including reducing the proposed increase to the Waste Management Charge by $6.”
The Draft Budget was endorsed by Council in April for public exhibition. Following community consultation, 14 written submissions were received, with 5 residents presenting their submissions to Councillors at a Special Budget Meeting on 8 June. In the adopting the Council Budget 2021-2022, Council approved the following amendments to the Draft Budget, reflecting issues raised and grants received since the Draft Budget was endorsed:
- Additional $2.6 million of confirmed grant funding for local roads and infrastructure capital projects and $2.6 million for additional capital projects;
- Reducing the proposed Waste Management Charge increase by $6 by removing the costs associated with the roadside stockpile reduction program, with Council to consider using any surplus from the 2020-2021 Waste Management Charge for this program in 2021-2022 up to $60,000;
- Additional $269,000 from the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program;
- Additional $10,000 for additional flagpoles;
- $19,000 increase to memberships;
- $28,000 increase to subscriptions for software licenses reclassified as operating costs;
- $873,000 confirmed Road Blackspot grant funding;
- Confirmed grant funding of $2 million and development contribution of $1.1 million for Bannockburn Industrial Estate;
- $30,000 increase to the Leighdale Equestrian Upgrade capital project;
- Removal of $30,000 for the replacement of foyer flooring in Bannockburn Family Services Centre; and
- Rate calculations updated with Stage 4 valuation data.
The final Council Budget 2021-2022 is available at: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/budget
Key Features of Golden Plains Shire Council’s 2021-2022 Budget
- $47.3 million to deliver more than 70 services to the Golden Plains community
- $18.2 million investment in capital works
- $2.2 million for active ageing and inclusion services
- $1 million for resealing local roads
- $700,000 for gravel re-sheeting of local roads
- $700,000 for improvements to local roads
- $250,000 for kerb and channel projects
- $50,000 to continue the COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy into 2021-2022
- $50,000 to deliver a COVID-19 recovery program
Road and Community Infrastructure Projects in Council’s 2021-2022 Budget
In 2021-2022, Council will deliver the following road and community infrastructure projects:
- Replacement of Paddys Gully Road Bridge in Rokewood Junction
- Intersection Upgrade at Buninyong-Mt Mercer/Hardies Hill Road, Garibaldi
- Intersection Upgrade at Derwent Jacks Road/Snow Gun Road/Reef Road/Chromes Road in Berringa
- Replacement and installation of new guardrails on bridges across the Shire
- Enfield Playground Upgrade
- Lethbridge Cricket Nets Upgrade
- Bannockburn Skate Park Upgrade
- Ross Creek Play and Active Recreation Upgrade
The following projects will be delivered by Council in 2021-2022, if joint government funding is secured:
- Leighdale Equestrian Centre Upgrade (Female Friendly Facilities)
- Bannockburn Victoria Park Safety Netting Project
- Linton Oval Drainage Upgrade
New Initiatives in Council’s 2021-2022 Budget
- Future design work with $100,000 allocated to each of the following: roads, bridges, drainage and building; and $175,000 for sport and recreation works.
- $75,000 for a new bore at Cambrian Hill
- $80,000 for Common Road Swale Drain Upgrade in Inverleigh
- $200,000 to rezone and manage surplus land
- $130,000 for roadside slashing of gravel roads
- $25,000 to clear fire access tracks
- $75,000 for environmental initiatives
- $20,000 for outdoor areas at local kindergartens
What’s New in Council’s 2021-2022 Budget
- 1.5% rates cap in 2021-2022, down from 2% rates cap in 2020-2021
- Municipal Charge: $310.60 per household, increase of $4.60 (1.5% from 2020-2021)
The Waste Management Charge is $379 per household in 2021-2022. This is a $44 increase from 2020-2021, noting that from 2019 to 2021, the Waste Management Charge was steady with an increase of just $5 per household. The additional funds will be allocated as follows:
- $20 per household for the State Government Waste Levy Increase (deferred from 2020-21 due to COVID pandemic)
- $10 per household for increase in recycling costs
- $14 per household for landfill rehabilitation of the former Rokewood and former Teesdale landfill sites
Rates Support in Council Budget 2021-22
In April 2020, Golden Plains Shire Council confirmed a package of financial relief options for local residents and businesses to support the Golden Plains community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of early June, $80,000 of the original $100,000 package had been utilised to support ratepayers in need. At last night’s meeting, Council approved $50,000 to continue the COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy into 2021-2022 and an additional $50,000 to deliver a COVID-19 recovery program.