2023/2024 Council Budget adopted

2023/2024 Council Budget adopted

Published on 29 June 2023

Around $38.691 million of capital works - $25 million of which is devoted to repairing flood-damaged infrastructure – will occur during the coming 12 months following the adoption of the 2023/2024 Gannawarra Shire Council Budget.

Adopted at the June 2023 Council Meeting, Council’s key annual financial document outlines how Council will spend the $65.606 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2023/2024, with a $30.298 million operating surplus predicted due to grants being provided to Council earlier than anticipated.

“Council’s 2023/2024 Budget outlines the Gannawarra’s recovery from the October-December 2022 floods and continues to support key services that our residents rely on,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“Council has been fiscally responsible in developing this budget, balancing the need to maintain facilities and providing services, with our our focus for the next 12 months being to exercise responsible financial management, sustainability and equity.”

Major initiatives supported by the 2023/2024 Budget include:

Flood infrastructure repairs ($25 million); Sustainable Water for Quambatook Project ($1.945 million, supported by the State Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund); Kerang CBD Redevelopment – Stage 3 ($1.784 million fully funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program); The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra project ($1.413 million, supported by the State Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program 2021 - Major Works program); Kerang CBD Redevelopment – Stage 4 ($1.317 million, fully funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program); Grave road resheeting ($1.133 million); Sealed road rehabilitation ($1.012 million); Bitumen road reseal ($1.006 million); Community grants programs and project funding ($384,000); Kerb replacement ($174,000); Footpath replacement ($130,000); and Koondrook levee design and construction ($103,000).

“Council’s 2023/2024 Budget will maintain key services Council provides to the community, such as our popular Community Care and Children’s services, libraries, Creative Gannawarra, waste management and recreational facilities,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“The 2023/2024 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 3.5 per cent compared to the previous year.”

Council sought community feedback regarding the 2023/2024 Proposed Budget during a 37-day period, resulting in four people providing feedback.

“Council thanks residents who took the time to provide input into the 2023/2024 Budget and looks forward to working with the community to implement the extensive projects and services outlined in the document,” Mayor Gillingham said.

To download the 2023/2024 Gannawarra Shire Council Budget, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget