Have your say on Draft 2020/21 Budget

Have your say on Draft 2020/21 Budget

Published on 25 June 2020

The draft Annual Budget and key documents set to guide Council’s investment in infrastructure and service delivery in 2020/21 have been prepared and community feedback is now being sought.

Alongside the draft 2020/21 Annual Budget, other key documents available for community feedback include the annual review of the Council Plan, Long Term Infrastructure Plan, Long Term Financial Strategy and Rating Strategy.

This is the fourth and last Annual Budget in the current Council’s four-year term, representing an income of $98.3 million, expenditure of $85.6 million, resulting in a surplus of $12.7 million. This reflects Council’s financially sustainable position and is a sound measure of its ability to achieve service delivery objectives.

The draft 2020/21 Annual Budget aims to strike the balance between delivering vital infrastructure and community services while providing community support and economic stimulus through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to achieve this balance whilst considering the cumulative impacts on funding for future infrastructure projects, the draft 2020/21 Annual Budget has been developed on the basis of a 2 per cent rate increase, in line with the State Government’s rate cap. 

New and upgraded infrastructure remains a key Council focus with $33.7 million proposed for capital works, including projects that may be carried over from last year. Of this, $19.7 million will come from Council operations, $5.2 million from external grants and $4.7 million from developer contributions.

Key infrastructure projects for the year ahead include:

$2.92 million for the Baxter Reserve Synthetic Soccer Pitch Upgrade $2.65 million for the Copelands Road Upgrade $2 million for the Road Reconstruction Program $1.8 million for the Road Resealing Program $1.5 million for the Gravel Road Re-sheet Program $1.5 million for the Trafalgar Recreation Reserve Multi Use Facility $500,000 to plan and design the Drouin Community Hub

Three additional projects from the Long Term Infrastructure Plan have been brought forward thanks to a $1.79 million grant from the Federal Government to help stimulate the local jobs/economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects include the Erica to Rawson Intertown Trail, Stage Two of the LED Streetlighting Project to improve sustainable lighting and reduce energy costs, and the upgrade of McCarthy Court in Warragul to improve access to the new Warragul Early Learning Centre co-located at Warragul Primary School.

Operating expenses are expected to increase by 3.3 per cent from the prior year primarily due to new employee positions to better meet service delivery requirements and compliance with requirements in Council’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Asset depreciation expenses have also increased 9.4 per cent as Council has delivered new community assets.

Waste charges have increased by an average of 2 per cent from the prior year due to increased waste management costs and a $200,000 increase in the State Government landfill levy.

By contrast, revenue has fallen slightly due to the unplanned $440,000 stage-one COVID-19 community and business support package including deferment in rate instalment deadline and interest payments, waiving of some fees and charges for community groups, reduced rental income and financial assistance grants for local businesses totalling $100,000 (now fully exhausted). Additionally, there will be reduced income from the West Gippsland Art Centre due to its forced closure.

The draft 2020/21 Annual Budget and key documents were presented to Council at last night’s Council meeting and were unanimously endorsed for public exhibition by Councillors. The key documents have been prepared in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020.

Fact sheets

For more detail, download the relevant fact sheet:

Have your say

All community members are invited to make a submission on the draft Annual Budget and key documents. Submissions can be made in two ways; online via Council’s website, or in writing submitted by email to [email protected] or post.

Full details are available at www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay

All submissions must be submitted by midnight on Thursday 23 July 2020.

Next steps

Following the four-week consultation period, Council will consolidate all comments and consider all submissions before developing the final version of the 2020/21 Annual Budget.

Any submitter will have the opportunity to discuss their submission in person at the Wednesday 5 August Special Council Meeting. This is optional, should a submitter choose to do so. Registration is required in advance to appear in person to accommodate COVID-19 social distancing requirements. Registration details will be available on Council’s website.

The final 2020/21 Annual Budget and key documents will be presented to Council for adoption at the Wednesday 26 August Council Meeting.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“This budget aims to strike a balance between building for the future, delivering essential services and providing community support and economic stimulus through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes a responsible use of ratepayer funds and highlights Council’s long-term financial sustainability.”

“We have worked alongside our community to develop a draft budget that funds the things important to them. This includes a record investment in road maintenance, more sustainable waste management, new and improved sports and recreation facilities, as well as vital services to support young people, growing families and our ageing community.”

“Community input at this point in the budget process is crucial - now is the time to see what’s on the table for the year ahead and have your say before it’s adopted. Everyone can review the draft annual budget and guiding documents available on Council’s website to ensure they align with community aspirations and expectations.”