What’s in the draft budget for 2023/24?
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Published on 28 April 2023
Some of Byron Shire Council’s most important and operationally influential documents of the year, including the budget for 2023/24, are now on public exhibition until 29 May 2023 and community feedback is encouraged.
The Byron Shire community is invited to attend one of two Community Conversation sessions about the draft Operational Plan and Budget; Tuesday 2 May 4pm to 6pm at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, or an interactive online session via Zoom (access via Council’s website) on Wednesday 10 May from 4pm to 6pm.
“We’re hosting two community conversation sessions this year and we encourage community members to join in, learn more and ask any questions they might have,” Council’s Director Corporate and Community Services, Esmeralda Davis said.
“Council is facing significant cost pressures due to inflation, like many other organisations. This means that we have to carefully consider how we allocate resources to ensure we can continue to deliver high-quality services to the community,” Ms Davis said.
Council’s revenue from general land rates will increase in total by 4.6 percent in accordance with Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) approved rate peg increase for Byron Shire Council.
“Many people assume that if land valuations go up it means their rates will go up – but that’s not necessarily true. It’s more complex than that,” Ms Davis said.
While the new land valuations provided by the NSW Valuer General have shown an average increase of 95.8 percent across the Byron Shire, this does not mean Council will get additional general land rate revenue, other than the approved increase allowable under the IPART rate peg of 4.6 percent.
“Given the new land values, some ratepayers will see increases over and above 4.6 percent but others will see decreases.
“This is a reflection of how their individual land value has changed relative to all other ratepayers in their respective rating category,” Ms Davis said.
Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, encouraged the community to get involved in the conversation.
“We want to hear from our community about what's important to them and how we can work together to achieve our shared goals,” the Mayor said.
“Your feedback will help us to make informed decisions that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community."
“It will also help increase awareness of key projects and programs that will be delivered over the coming financial year,” the Mayor said.
The documents provide detail on planned work for the next financial year along with proposed revenue and expenses. This is the biggest budget in Council history due to the proposed size of the infrastructure restoration from the February/March 2022 flood events estimated at $143.1 million.
Other proposed funding for projects and work in 2023/24 include:
Local roads and drainage $9.2 million Open Space and Recreation $1.36 million Waste Management $1.4 million, and Redevelopment of the former Byron Hospital (Byron Community Hub) $4.7 million Water Infrastructure Capital Works $6.915million Sewerage Infrastructure Capital Works $5.236millionUntil 29 May 2023, Council will be exhibiting the following:
Draft 2023/24 Operational Plan Draft 2023/24 Budget Draft 2023/24 Statement of Revenue Policy Draft 2023/24 Fees and ChargesInformation about the documents and how to make a submission are on Your Say Byron Shire at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/OP-Budget-24
For media enquiries contact the Media and Comms Team on 02 6626 7320.