2021-2022 Council Budget adopted

2021-2022 Council Budget adopted

Published on 18 June 2021

More than $16 million of capital works will proceed during the coming 12 months following the adoption of the 2021/2022 Gannawarra Shire Council Budget.

Adopted at the June 2021 Council Meeting, Council’s key financial document for the coming 12 months outlines how Council will spend $40.928 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2021/2022, with a $9.382 million operating surplus predicted.

“Council presented to the community during April and May 2021 a Proposed Budget that maintains current services, supports projects and invests in community-led initiatives that will grow the Gannawarra now and in the future,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“The Proposed Budget includes projects that were dependent on funding from the State and Federal Government, with Council successful in obtaining State Government support for all abilities improvements at Atkinson Park, Kerang and the Quambatook Sustainable Water project.

“These projects form part of the $16.542 million Capital Works program to be undertaken during 2021/2022, which includes projects ranging town developments, investment in recreational facility improvements and supporting tourism initiatives.”

Projects that will proceed in 2021/2022 include:

The $2.4 million Quambatook Sustainable Water Project (supported by a $2 million contribution from the State Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund with $1.2 million in 2021/2022); The Cohuna CBD and Waterfront Project (supported by Regional Development Victoria, with $1.7 million of works to occur in 2021/2022); $1.154 million Murrabit Stormwater Project (fully funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program); Stage 2 of the Kerang CBD redevelopment ($1 million of works for 2021/2022 fully funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads Community Infrastructure Program); The $1.1 million Sir John Gorton All Abilities Project, which includes the construction of an All Abilities Play Space and a Changing Places facility (supported by $1 million from the State Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program); The $650,000 expansion of the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre (supported by the Victorian Schools Building Authority); and The $475,000 upgrade of the Morton Garner Pavilion (supported by a Federal Government grant provided to the Cohuna and District Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society).

“Key community services will be funded as part of the 2021/2022 Budget, including Council’s popular community grants programs, our Community Care and NDIS services, libraries, children’s services and our popular arts and culture programs,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“The 2021/2022 Budget also 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 1.5 per cent compared to the previous year.”

Also adopted at the June 2021 Council Meeting was the Revenue and Rating Plan, which provides in-depth details regarding Council’s revenue sources, as well as how rates and charges are calculated and relevant policies that align with Council’s financial operations.

“A requirement of the Local Government Act 2020, the Revenue and Rating Plan determines the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach for Gannawarra Shire Council which, in conjunction with other income sources, will adequately finance the objective outlined in the current and future versions of the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan,” Mayor Gillingham said.

Residents had their opportunity to comment on the 2021/2022 Budget and Revenue and Rating Plan during a five-week public consultation period, resulting in Council receiving 14 submissions regarding the 2021/2022 Budget and one submission regarding the Revenue and Rating Plan.

“Council thanks the community for their input into the 2021/2022 Budget and looks forward to working together to implement the extensive projects and services outlined in the document,” Mayor Gillingham said.