The key financial document for the coming 12 months was approved at the April council meeting which is open to comment until 5pm on Monday, June 3.
The 61-page budget outlines how council will spend the $30.03 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2019/2020, with a $2.096 million surplus predicted.
‘‘Council is proud to be able to deliver a budget maintaining current services, looks after council’s assets and deliver projects that will benefit both residents and visitors to the area,’’ mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.
‘‘This budget also complies with the Fair Go Rates System, which states the total revenue raised through municipal rates cannot increase by more than 2.5 per cent compared to the previous year.’’
The existing differential rates structure remains in operation, with the average rates increase per category being 2.5 per cent for all sectors – residential, commercial/industrial, farm irrigation district and farm dryland. Properties classified for cultural/recreational use will receive a 1.44 per cent annual rate reduction.
‘‘Council is now on an annual valuation cycle, with the revaluation undertaken as of January 1 applying to the 2019/2020 financial year,” Cr Learmonth said.
“The movements in property valuations between 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 ranges from 4.83 per cent for commercial/industry properties to 9.19 per cent for farm dryland. This has been absorbed in the average rates increase.”
The municipal charge will remain at $100, while waste management charges will increase by $8 for those whose property use a 120-litre general waste bin and $12 for properties that rely on a 240-litre bin for general waste. Green waste bin charges will rise by $1.
Council will continue to support the community thanks to $340,000 in funding for grants and project funding.
“This figure includes $90,000 for council’s community grants program,” Cr Learmonth said.
“A further $250,000 is available for council to partner with community groups to develop projects on non-council owned properties, with funding to be matched dollar for dollar.”
More than $4 million of council’s capital works program is devoted to road, bridge and footpath improvements throughout the Gannawarra.
This includes the $1.02 million for council’s sealed roads rehabilitation program, $954,000 for gravel re-sheeting and $800,000 for bitumen road reseal works.
The $10.567 million capital works program, outlined in the proposed budget, will focus on road and footpath rehabilitation, bridge works, parks and recreational facility improvements, flood mitigation measures and tourism initiatives.
Council’s goal to improve tourism opportunities for visitors will receive a $2.125 million boost, with one-third of these funds a result of the successful regional growth fund application developed by a consortium of seven councils located within north-western Victoria and south-western NSW.
The Kangaroo Lake North End Foreshore Development ($450,000), Gunbower Creek waterfront connection project at Cohuna ($400,000) and the Koondrook Waterfront Development linking the Koondrook Wharf precinct to the Koondrook Nature Based Tourism Hub ($500,000) all benefited from the $669,232 Federal Government contribution.
The Nature Based Tourism Hub – an outdoor recreational and accommodation facility located on the banks of Gunbower Creek — will be completed in the 2019/2020 financial year ($425,000), with works at the neighbouring Koondrook Caravan Park ($350,000) to also proceed as part of council’s capital works program.
A $50,000 playground consolidation project will go ahead at Leitchville, with council allocating $60,000 for the design stage of the Cohuna Skate Park redevelopment.
Those who submit a response to the proposed budget will be invited to speak to their submission at a special council meeting, scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday, June 11.
All submissions received will help formulate the final version of the 2019/2020 budget, which is to be presented to the June council meeting on Wednesday, June 26.
Copies of the proposed budget are available to view at council’s customer service centres, Gannawarra library service branches, the Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre and online at gsc.vic.gov.au
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