Council’s Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2021/22–2030/31 is on public exhibition following its endorsement at last night’s 24 August Council Meeting.
The Local Government Act 2020 requires all councils to adopt a Long-Term Financial Plan by 31 October 2021. Previously, Council had prepared a 10-year financial plan as part of its annual budget process.
The Long-Term Financial Plan 2021/22–2030/31 (the Financial Plan) sets out how the actions of the Golden Plains Shire Council Plan 2021-2025 may be funded to achieve the Golden Plains Community Vision 2040. The document details the financial strategy to achieve this objective while overcoming challenges associated with high population growth and increased demand for services, implementing the Victorian Government’s mandatory four-bin waste policy, completing valuable asset renewal and balancing the interests of the Shire’s rural and urban communities.
The Financial Plan articulates the financial resources needed over the next 10 years to implement the goals and aspirations of the Council Plan and Community Vision. The Council Plan 2021-2025 was developed following extensive deliberative community engagement in the first half of 2021 and built upon the contributions of 534 community members on the Community Vision adopted in late 2020.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says the Financial Plan is the next step in delivering the Council Plan 2021-2025 and the Golden Plains Community Vision 2040.
“Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan is a strategic plan to ensure the continued viability and sustainability of the Council organisation.
“It articulates the financial resources needed over the next 10 years to implement the goals and aspirations of the Council Plan and Community Vision that the community helped us create over the past two years.
“Community members are welcome to review the Draft Financial Plan and have their say on Council’s plan to financially deliver the priorities and vision of our community.”
The Draft Financial Plan is available on Council’s website and will also be available at its Bannockburn and Smythesdale Customer Service Centres following the end of the current lockdown.
Any person wishing to make a submission on the Draft Financial Plan can do so in writing to Council from Wednesday 25 August to Monday 13 September, 2021.
Community members can make a submission:
- online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations;
- by email to [email protected]; or
- by mail addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331.
All submissions will be considered prior to Council adopting the Financial Plan at its October Meeting.
Council is in the process of developing a comprehensive community engagement framework for its 2022/23 Budget process and for the future revision of the 10-year Financial Plan.