2020-2021 Proposed Council Budget - Building the Gannawarra's future

Published on 16 April 2020

Gannawarra Shire residents are encouraged to have their say on Council’s 2020/2021 Proposed Council Budget, which outlines a $15 million investment in capital works and a rates increase that complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System.

The draft version of Council’s key financial document for the coming 12 months was approved at the April Ordinary Council Meeting to be placed on public display, with residents able to submit their comments up to 5pm on Monday, 25 May.

The 59-page document outlines how Council will spend the $36.08 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2020/2021, with a $6.720 million surplus predicted.

“Council is proud to be able to deliver a budget that brings to fruition funding for several long term projects that will benefit residents and visitors,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“The projects are contained in Council's enhanced $15.297 million capital works program, which focuses on road and footpath rehabilitation, bridge works, parks and recreational facility improvements, flood mitigation measures and tourism initiatives.

“This budget relies on partnerships with other government bodies to minimise the impact on ratepayers and complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System, which states that the total revenue raised through municipal rates cannot increase by more than 2 per cent compared to the previous year.”

The existing differential rates structure remains in operation, with the average rates increase per category being 2 per cent for all sectors – residential, commercial/industrial, farm irrigation district, farm dryland, and properties classified for cultural/recreational.

“The movements in property valuations between 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 ranges from 1.93 per cent for residential properties to 3.92 per cent for farm irrigation district properties. This has been absorbed in the average rates increase,” Mayor Learmonth said.

The municipal charge will remain at $100, whilst waste management charges will increase by $7 for those whose property use a 120-litre general waste bin and $10 for properties that rely on a 240-litre bin for general waste. Green waste bin charges will rise by $1.

“Council will secure a $3.5 million loan that will fund $8.45 million of capital works across a three-year period,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council will commit $1.360 million of this loan to fund projects in the 2020/2021 financial year, which will enable extra projects to be completed and support the use of local employment and resources.”

Council will continue to support the community thanks to $533,500 in funding for grants and project funding.

“This figure includes $83,500 for Council’s popular Community Grants program, with Council inviting community groups to apply for up to $5,000 for projects and events in August 2020,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Following on from the success of the Major Community Project Fund in 2019/2020, a further $250,000 will be made available for Council to partner with community groups to develop projects on non- Council owned properties, with funding to be matched dollar for dollar.

“Council will also budget for $200,000 for strategic projects outlined in the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021 to enable these works to be ready for development.”

Close to $5 million of Council’s Capital Works program is devoted to road, bridge and footpath improvements throughout the Gannawarra. This includes $2.023 million for Council’s sealed roads rehabilitation program, $973,000 for gravel re-sheeting and $816,000 for bitumen road reseal works.

A $102,000 footpath replacement program and $150,000 worth of kerb replacement works is proposed, whilst $43,000 will be committed to upgrade footpaths along Mead Street, Cohuna.

“Stage 2 of the Appin South Bridge over the Loddon River, valued at $290,000, will be completed in the 2020/2021 financial year, with the $300,000 replacement of the Apex Park Bridge at Reedy Lake to proceed,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Stage 2 of the Kerang CBD redevelopment will occur in the next financial year thanks to a $150,000 commitment, building on improvements made to the Victoria Square precinct.”

Council’s goal to improve tourism opportunities for visitors will receive a $3.056 million boost, with half of this amount supporting the $1.693 million Cohuna CBD Waterfront Development, which builds on the work currently underway adjacent to Apex Park, pending funding approval from the Federal Government.

“Council’s commitment to tourism opportunities in the next financial year will benefit visitors to the Gannawarra and residents for many years to come,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“The Cohuna CBD Waterfront Development will strengthen the link between the Cohuna township and Gunbower Creek, with commitments to other projects, including landscaping, roads and stormwater improvements at the Koondrook Caravan Park, to benefit visitors to the Gannawarra and residents for many years to come.”

Economic development opportunities will be boosted with a $1.3 million commitment to expand Kerang’s Tate Drive Industrial Estate, with Koondrook’s flood mitigation infrastructure to be expanded with a $350,000 project to construct a new section of the town’s levee bank.

“The expansion of Kerang’s industrial hub further south along the Murray Valley Highway builds on the increasing number of facilities currently under construction in the precinct, and will accommodate future business opportunities,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Meanwhile, the expansion of the Koondrook Levee Bank follows on from the development of the Koondrook Township Flood Study, created thanks to input from the community.”

Parks and recreational facilities will benefit from $2.188 million of capital works, with the highlights being $600,000 for the expansion of the Cohuna Skate Park, dependent on external funding, and $520,000 to develop an All Abilities Play Space at Koondrook.

“Residents in both Cohuna and Koondrook have provided input into how both these projects will look, and Council looks forward to the funding dependent construction of both of these facilities in 2020/2021,” Mayor Learmonth said.

Council’s pools will also benefit thanks to a $135,000 renewal program, with $25,000 allocated to improvements to the change rooms at the Leitchville Swimming Pool.

Meanwhile, Council will commit $65,000 to start the process of developing a ReSpark the Park concept at Cohuna’s Cullen Street Community Playground.

“Using a similar process that led to the redevelopment of McCann Park at Kerang, Cohuna residents will unite to identify what features they would like to see built in this local park, with their concepts to become reality,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council will also allocate $813,000 for the purchasing of sustainable recreational water for Quambatook. This project, like some of the projects that feature in Council’s Capital Works program, are dependent on grant funding.

“Please note that this budget was prepared prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, with the community encouraged to provide feedback. Council will consider the impact of Coronavirus on the community during the public submission period.”

Those who submit a response to the Proposed Budget will be invited to speak to their submission at a Special Meeting of Council, scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday, 9 June.

All submissions received will help formulate the final version of the 2020/2021 Budget, which is to be presented to the June Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 24 June.

The 2020/2021 Gannawarra Shire Council Proposed Budget can be viewed online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget