The budget includes funding for 12 projects that were pitched by the community through council’s Pitch my Project initiative.
It is the second year Strathbogie Shire Council has run the Pitch my Project initiative, which Mayor Laura Binks says ensures council is funding the projects and works that matter to its community.
“We’re excited this year’s draft budget includes funding for about $360,000 of projects through our Pitch my Project initiative,” Cr Binks said.
The 2022-23 draft budget has operating expenditure of $31.91 million on services. This includes $7.174 million to roads, drains, bridges and footpaths, $402,500 to sustainability initiatives, $1.241 million to parks and reserves and $2.342 million to planning.
Operating expenditure is also used to fund services such as libraries, maternal and child health, swimming pools and arts and culture.
The capital works program includes projects such as the completion of the Nagambie Foreshore Walk, rehabilitation of the Violet Town Landfill, sealing of Habel Rd in Nagambie, aquatic facility upgrades, information technology improvements, options development for the future of Kirwans Bridge, streetscape improvements and an upgrade to Strathbogie Recreation Reserve pavilion.
“In preparing the 2022-2023 budget, council has considered many factors to try and balance community expectations and benefits with financial responsibilities,” Cr Binks said.
“We have worked to minimise rate increases and have prepared the budget based on a 1.75 per cent increase in the average rate per property, which is in line with the state government’s ‘Fair Go Rates’ legislation.”
Cr Binks reminded residents that rate outcomes for individual properties would vary, depending on how that property’s valuation had changed when compared to the average increase.
Waste collection and disposal charges will rise by three per cent, with costs impacted by increases in both the Victorian Government landfill levy of 19 per cent and increases in fuel prices, which are a major input into council’s waste collection contracts.
Submissions close at 9am on Monday, May 23.
Community members are encouraged to make a submission by writing to council at PO Box 177, Euroa, VIC, 3666, emailing info@strathbogie.vic.gov.au or online at www.share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au