The Golden Plains Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2021-22 (Draft Budget) was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 27 April and is now on public exhibition for community feedback from Saturday 1 May to Monday 31 May, 2021.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says Council welcomes feedback from local residents and businesses and all submissions will be considered prior to the adoption of Council’s Budget 2021-22 on Tuesday 22 June.
“Council has developed its Draft Council Plan 2021-2025 and the Draft Budget 2021-22 together, providing a clear strategic direction for Council and mapping out action to deliver on the Shire’s priorities for the Council term.
“The Draft Budget details the financial plan for the next year with Council continuing its commitment of operating more than 70 services for our communities and maintaining our assets and infrastructure under the rate cap of 1.5 percent. We achieved this last year during the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s Budget reflects the return to economic, social and community activity across the Shire, with Council delivering a significant list of road and infrastructure projects that are funded in partnership with the State and Federal Governments.
“The Draft Budget 2021-22 has been endorsed by Council and is now on public exhibition. We encourage all community members to share their feedback with a written submission and, as a Council, we look forward to hearing directly from our Golden Plains’ residents.”
As required for the first time under the Local Government Act 2020, Council’s Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2021-22 to 2024-25 is also on public exhibition. The Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges 2021-22 is also available.
Have Your Say on Draft Budget 2021-22
Read Council’s Draft Budget 2021/22: Visit Council's Have Your Say page or pick up a copy at Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn or The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Ask Your Budget Questions: In May, Council’s Finance Team will hold two engagement sessions to answer budget questions from residents that will assist with preparation of a submission to Council. The online consultation is on Tuesday 4 May, 4 to 6pm, with the link to be posted on Council’s website the day prior to the engagement. There is also a telephone engagement session on Tuesday 11 May, from 4 to 6pm; call in on (03) 5220 7129 or (03) 5220 7128.
Make a Budget Submission: Written submissions may be lodged by 9am, Monday 31 May, 2021. Post a submission addressed to Director Corporate Services, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331; email enquiries@gplains. vic.gov.au; or visit Council's Have Your Say page.
Present a Submission to Council: Council will hold a meeting at Golden Plains Civic Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn at 6pm, Tuesday 8 June, and everyone who lodges a written submission may request to present it to Councillors. The final Budget 2021-22 will be considered for adoption by Council at its meeting in Bannockburn on Tuesday 22 June, 2021.
Key Features of Draft Budget 2020/21
- $44.1 million to deliver more than 70 services to the Golden Plains community
- $14.6 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
- $508,000 for library services
- $350,000 for footpaths and trails
- $342,000 for youth services
- $250,000 for kerb and channel projects
Road and Community Infrastructure Projects in Draft Budget 2020/21
Replacement of Paddys Gully Road Bridge in Rokewood Junction: A $650,000 project jointly funded by Council and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Intersection Upgrade at Buninyong-Mt Mercer/Hardies Hill Road, Garibaldi: A $250,000 project funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Intersection Upgrade at Derwent Jacks Road/Snow Gun Road/Reef Road/Chromes Road in Berringa: A $250,000 project funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Replacement and installation of new guardrails on bridges across the Shire: A $200,000 project to improve the safety of bridges in Rokewood, Happy Valley, Werneth, Meredith, Haddon, Inverleigh and Linton. Funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Enfield Playground Upgrade: A $250,000 project funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Lethbridge Cricket Nets Upgrade: Funded by $145,000 from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Bannockburn Skate Park Upgrade: A $449,000 project funded by $250,000 from the State Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program and $199,000 from Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
The following projects will be delivered by Council in 2021-22, if joint government funding is secured:
Ross Creek Play and Active Recreation Upgrade: A $550,000 project funded by $100,000 from Council and $450,000 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.
Leighdale Equestrian Centre Upgrade (Female Friendly Facilities): A $537,000 project funded by $169,000 from Council, $358,000 from State Government and $10,000 from Leighdale Equestrian Centre Committee of Management.
Bannockburn Victoria Park Safety Netting Project: A $50,000 project funded by $19,000 from Council, $25,000 from State Government and $6,000 from Bannockburn Football Netball Club.
Linton Oval Drainage Upgrade: A $321,000 project funded by $107,000 from Council and $214,000 from the State Government.
New Initiatives in Draft Budget 2020/21
- 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 Draft Budget 2020/21
- 1.5% rates cap in 2021-22, down from 2% rates cap in 2020-21
- Municipal Charge: $310.60 per household, increase of $4.60 (1.5% from 2020-21)
The Waste Management Charge is $385 per household in 2021-22. This is a $50 increase from 2020-21, 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
- $6 per household for stockpile removal charge