Golden Plains Shire Council invites the community to view its draft 2018-19 Budget which will be available for public inspection from Monday 30 April.
The 2018-19 draft Budget proposes an average rate increase of 2.25% per assessment. This is in line with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System (FGRS) which has capped rate increases by Victorian councils in 2018-19.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says that the Budget answers many of the questions, priorities and concerns raised by the community over recent years.
“This Budget seeks to maintain and improve services and infrastructure as well as deliver projects and services that are valued by our community, within the 2.25% rate increase mandated by the State Government,” she said.
“Council has examined and discussed this Budget at length and agree that it demonstrates a commitment to quality and continuous service and infrastructure provision with financial sustainability.
“The State-wide recycling crisis has had a significant impact every council in Victoria is required to meet the increase in recycling processing costs. This will unfortunately result in an increase in Golden Plains’ ratepayer garbage charge.
“If we could have avoided this we would have but this is a global situation and out of our control.
“We are very sensitive to the impact that any increase in rates, costs or charges has on our ratepayers and we are satisfied that we have made the best decisions to ensure we can continue to provide these vital services to our residents,” she finished.
The challenges
“To meet the financial challenges of rate capping, investing in asset renewal and managing the recycling crisis, we have identified and implemented savings within the Budget,” said Cr Kirby.
“Council will also continue a strong campaign of advocacy and lobbying with State and Federal Governments for grants and assistance; we have a great track record in this area and will make sure Golden Plains stays in the minds of State and Federal politicians,” said Cr Kirby.
What the 2018-19 Budget proposes to deliver
The budgeted programs and infrastructure spending includes:
- $15.1M investment in capital assets including roads, streets and infrastructure
- Increased expenditure of $750K allocated to the construction and maintenance of road and street infrastructure
- $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
- $1.9M to managing Council’s environmental and land use planning responsibilities
- $1M to managing Council’s waste collection and disposal service
- $543K to support economic development and tourism
- Council is focused on providing quality customer service and this Budget allocates $5M to the redevelopment of the existing customer service centre in Bannockburn, following an extensive community consultation process that was undertaken during 2017-18.
Opportunity for public submission
Copies of the draft 2018-19 Budget will be available for inspection online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/budget and at Council’s Bannockburn, Smythesdale and Linton Customer Service Centres from Monday 30 April.
Anyone may make a written submission on the draft Budget in accordance with section 223 of the Local Government Act (1989). They may request to appear in person or be represented by another specified person to present the submission at a special meeting of Council at 6pm on 12 June 2018 at the Bannockburn Shire Hall, High Street, Bannockburn. Submissions can be made online on our Have Your Say page.
Written submissions should be lodged no later than Monday 28 May 2018, and forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, 3331.
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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]
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