Golden Plains Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2023/24 (Draft Budget) was endorsed for public exhibition by Council at its meeting on 26 April. Community feedback is now invited until 9am Monday 29 May 2023.
Council is asking the community to share their views on the Draft Budget 2023/24 before the final version is presented to Council for adoption at its 27 June meeting.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said the Draft Budget had been shaped through a rigorous process of consultation and review including community input.
“Thank you to the residents who completed the online survey and spoke with Councillors at the online engagement sessions and listening posts – your feedback has helped shape the Draft Budget 2023/24.”
Cr Cunningham said Council welcomes further feedback from the community on the Draft Budget.
“The Draft Budget presents the financial plan for the next year and outlines Council’s commitments to services, projects and programs over the next financial year, under the guidance of the Council Plan 2021-2025, Golden Plains Shire community Vision 2040 and Long-Term Financial Plan 2022/22 to 2030/31.
“As we move into the final stages of finalising the budget, we would like to invite residents to an online forum where they can ask questions and share their views about the budget and learn about the process for finalising the budget.
“Community feedback is the important next step in the Budget process, and I encourage all community members to share their thoughts.”
Have Your Say on Golden Plains Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2023/24
Read Council’s Draft Budget 2023/24: Visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or pick up a copy at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn or The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Ask Your Budget Questions: In May, Council’s Finance Team will hold an online forum to answer budget questions from residents that will assist with preparation of a submission to Council. The online forum is on Wednesday 17 May from 6 to 8pm with the link to be posted on Council’s website the day prior to the engagement; visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/events
The Draft Budget will be available online or in hard copy from 26 April until 29 May before it is considered for endorsement at the Council meeting on 27 June 2023.
Make a Budget Submission: Written submissions may be lodged by 9am, Monday 29 May 2023. Post a submission addressed to Director Corporate Services, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331; email [email protected]; or visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations
Present a Submission to Council: Council will hold a meeting at Golden Plains Civic Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn at 6pm, Tuesday 6 June 2023 and anyone who lodges a written submission may request to present it to Councillors at this meeting. The final Budget 2023/24 will then be considered for adoption by Council at its meeting in Bannockburn on Tuesday 27 June, 2023.
Key Features of Draft 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% to 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
- $22.4m continued investment in capital assets
- $1.1m for resealing local roads
- $900k for improvements to local roads
- $800k for local gravel roads re-sheeting
- $300k for kerb and channel projects
- $856k for community safety
- $758k for community development
- $75k on environmental initiatives plus $130k for LED street lighting
- $1.9m for bridge renewal and replacement
- $545k for emergency drainage works
- $400k for drainage program
- $809k for stormwater drainage improvements
- $468k on economic development
- $777k on youth development
- $100k for community and recreation facility beautification/safety works
- 3.50% rates cap in 2023/24
Community Infrastructure Projects in Draft 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 Draft 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
- Continued implementation of Climate Emergency Plan actions
- Development of 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 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
What’s New in Draft Budget 2023/24
- Rate Cap: State Government 3.50% rate cap included in 2023/24. The cap in 2022/23 was 1.75%.
- $50k Rate Rebate to assist customers in need
- Waste Management Charge: $427 per household in 2023/24