2024/2025 Proposed Budget supports major projects, maintains services

2024/2025 Proposed Budget supports major projects, maintains services

Published on 18 April 2024

Major town and community space transformation works and the Gannawarra’s continued recovery from the 2022 floods are a key focus of Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2024/2025 Proposed Budget.

Residents are encouraged to have their say on one of Council’s key documents, with feedback accepted up to 5pm Thursday, 16 May.

“Council’s 2024/2025 Proposed Budget will continue to support key services our residents rely on and invest in some significant capital works projects, made possible thanks to the support of the State and Federal governments,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“This budget also demonstrates Council’s proven record of being fiscally responsible, with efforts to reduce costs resulting in a small surplus.”

Council’s financial blueprint for the coming 12 months features a $22.862 million investment in capital works, with more than 70 per cent of these efforts funded via State and Federal government grants. This funding will enable Council to continue its efforts to transform its towns.

The largest of these transformational projects is The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra, with this $3.086 million project supported by $1.5 million from the State Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and $718,000 from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

“To be incorporated into Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library, this regionally unique space will enable community groups to gather in a facility that can accommodate for attendance numbers larger than current buildings, such as local senior citizen rooms and community hall supper rooms, whilst incorporating technology required for modern meetings, conferences and training sessions,” Mayor Stanton said.

“The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra will also support the Gannawarra Library Service to plan and deliver youth programs including movie making, sound and music recording.”

The rejuvenation of the Cohuna CBD will continue during 2024/2025, with Council allocating $3 million for Stage 2 of the Cohuna Waterfront Development. Dependent on grant funding, the project would involve installing a new clock and soundshell in Garden Park, rejuvenating the CBD’s streetscape and enhancing Gilrule Park and Dunn Street to connect these locations to the Cohuna CBD.

“Residents and visitors have embraced improvements at Garden Park and Apex Park made possible thanks to Stage 1 of the Cohuna Waterfront Development, and Stage 2 will enhance this work,” Mayor Stanton said.

Council will spend $80,000 to engage a designer to develop plans for the redevelopment of the Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools, based on information outlined in the Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy.

“Once approved by Councillors following a community engagement period, Council will use the designs to seek funding from the State and Federal governments to complement Council’s contribution to these key works,” Mayor Stanton said.

Improvements to flood mitigation infrastructure at Koondrook are planned, with $2.5 million allocated to the design and construction of the town’s flood protection levee, dependent on government funding.

“As we saw during the 2022 floods, improvements to Koondrook’s flood protection infrastructure will provide reassurance to residents during times where major flooding impacts the Murray River and Gunbower Forest,” Mayor Stanton said.

Efforts will also continue to repair Council-managed roads damaged by the 2022 floods, with $3 million allocated to support these much-needed works.

“Council continues to work with the State Government to ensure this funding is made available to complete these repairs, which will benefit residents travelling between their homes and the municipality,” Mayor Stanton said.

Following the Christmas Day 2023 and early January 2024 storms that resulted in flash flooding throughout urban areas of the municipality, Council will allocate $298,000 for stormwater network and pump renewal works.

“Council continues to work on designs and seek quotes for key stormwater improvements, with this funding to support efforts that will minimise flooding following future storm events,” Mayor Stanton said.

Motorists and pedestrians will also benefit from the $3.632 million of road, bridge and footpath improvements throughout the Gannawarra separate to flood repairs, which forms part of the Capital Works program. This includes $1.210 million for the annual gravel road resheeting program, $1.061 million for bitumen road reseal works, $935,000 for sealed road rehabilitation works, $266,000 for kerb replacement and $160,000 for footpath improvements.

“The 2024/2025 Proposed Budget also maintains key services Council provides to the community, such as our popular Children’s and Youth services, libraries, Creative Gannawarra, waste management and recreational facilities,” Mayor Stanton said.

The 2024/2025 Proposed 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 2.75 per cent compared to the previous year.

The municipal charge will remain at $100, whilst charges to kerbside garbage and waste collection charges will increase by $10-$17, depending on bin size. Green waste collection charges will also increase by $1.

Feedback regarding the 2024/2025 Proposed Budget can be provided in the following ways:

By visiting www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget and completing an online form. By picking up a Have Your Say form from Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang and completing your form by the due date. By phoning Council on (03) 5450 9333. By emailing [email protected]. By mailing Gannawarra Shire Council at PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579.

All feedback received will help formulate the final version of the 2024/2025 Budget, which is to be presented to the June 2024 Council Meeting, occurring on Wednesday, 26 June 2024.

The 2024/2025 Gannawarra Shire Council Proposed Budget can be viewed online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget and at Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang.