Residents views sought on Annual Budget 21/22, Revenue and Rating Plan

Residents views sought on Annual Budget 21/22, Revenue and Rating Plan

Published on 12 May 2021

At the Unscheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday 11 May, Councillors endorsed two key strategic Council documents to go out to the community for public consultation – the Draft Annual Budget 2021/22, and Revenue and Rating Plan 2021-2025.

The Draft Annual Budget 2021/22 describes the proposed revenue, expenditure and resources required to maintain and deliver a range of Macedon Ranges Shire Council services, facilities and projects to the community for the coming financial year. The Revenue and Rating Plan outlines how Council will raise revenue.

Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson encouraged residents to have their say on these important documents that reflect the focus for Council.

“We’ve worked hard to prioritise initiatives that support current and future community needs in an environmentally and economically sustainable way, and we want your comments, ideas and suggestions before finalising the plan,” she said.

Some of the initiatives include:

building works to the value of $4.965 million, including $348,000 for roof works at Kyneton Museum and $123,320 towards council building energy and water efficiency upgrades roads infrastructure worth $7.068 million footpaths and cycleways worth $1.389 million $6.7 million on recreation, leisure and community facilities, including $5.2 million for the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct $957,000 on parks, open spaces and streetscapes, including $98,000 for new entrance landscaping for Gisborne Botanic Gardens and $70,000 towards the final stages of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park.

A rate rise of 1.5 per cent is proposed, in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap. This will support efforts to maintain critical community infrastructure while continuing to provide quality services. The Draft Annual Budget 2021/22 and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2021-2025 are available for inspection at Council’s customer service centres in Gisborne, Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend. You can also view these documents online on the Council's have your say page.

“Councillors and Council Officers have spent many hours developing a budget that both continues to provide the additional support needed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also looks for new opportunities to support the whole community in both the coming and future years. I invite you to submit your feedback, in support or to suggest other changes. We look forward to hearing from you,” Cr Anderson said.

Submissions are due to Council by 5pm on Tuesday 8 June 2021. Residents who submit feedback are invited to register to present at a Submitters Committee Meeting at 7pm Wednesday 16 June 2021. Council will consider the budget for adoption at the Special Council Meeting scheduled for 11am on Tuesday 29 June 2021 at the Gisborne Administration Centre, 40 Robertson Street, Gisborne.

There are a number of ways you can submit your feedback to Council:

The Community Vision, Council Plan and Financial Plan will also be released for community consultation at a later date.