Community submissions result in $1.14 million in new projects

Community submissions result in $1.14 million in new projects

Published on 27 August 2020

$1.14 million of projects and new initiatives have been included in the 2020/21 Annual Budget as a result of the 238 community submissions received during the budget consultation process.

Successful community submissions

Key projects now included in the 2020/21 Annual Budget for delivery include:

$475,000 towards development of detailed designs to further projects to “shovel ready” status in preparation for future external funding grant opportunities including: $90,000 for network planning for sporting reserves within Precinct Structure Plan areas $75,000 for design works to improve the Rokeby-Noojee Trail $60,000 for design works for a multi-use sporting pavilion at Baxter Reserve in Warragul $50,000 to commence design works for a new carpark at Bellbird Park in Drouin $40,000 to commence design works for a new footpath at Sand Road in Longwarry $20,000 to commence design works for new path lighting at Linear Park in Warragul $150,000 for detailed design works of improvements identified in the Drouin Township Plan in preparation for delivery in the 2021/22 financial year $120,000 towards the commencement of a Settlement Plan for the Yarragon township $120,000 towards the preparation of an Economic Land Use Strategy to guide and facilitate economic land use activities and the provision of necessary infrastructure $70,000 for a renewed strategic partnership with Lardner Park (increased from the $30,000 previously budgeted) $55,000 to commence detailed feasibility work and support progression of the proposed Logan Park Cycling Precinct in Warragul $50,000 towards a stage 2 COVID-19 community and business support package (in addition to the $440,000 stage 1 support package released in April 2020). $50,000 towards the commencement of a master plan for the Walhalla township $30,000 to support the Ride Nation Gippsland pilot program to encourage local participation in cycling $20,000 towards the Communities That Care initiative aiming to reduce youth problem behaviours including harmful substance use, low academic achievement, early school leaving, sexual risk-taking and violence $8,000 for construction of a tennis hitting wall at Trafalgar

Delivery of these projects will be funded through two key streams of Council’s Annual Budget - $460,000 has been allocated from the operating budget and $688,000 from the infrastructure budget.

Overall, Council received 238 submissions from the community for consideration in finalising the Annual Budget and key plans for 2020/21. This included 92 early submissions received in November/December 2019 identifying the community’s top priorities for Council, and 146 submissions during the formal budget exhibition period held in June/July 2020 in accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989.

A total of 26 submitters spoke in support of their respective submissions at the Special Council Meeting on Wednesday 5 August 2020.

More information

Further details and budget highlights can be found by downloading the following:

See full 2020/21 Annual Budget highlights here.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“The inclusion of these new projects and initiatives highlight the value of the community consultation process that takes place each year when developing the annual budget. Your say matters and makes a difference. We thank those community members and groups who got involved in the Council budget process and made a submission. We look forward to delivering these important projects for you over the next year.”