Draft Budget out for public feedback

Draft Budget out for public feedback

Published on 29 May 2024

Corangamite Shire residents are encouraged to have their say on the $69 million 2024-2025 Draft Budget.

The Budget was developed to ensure the financial position remains sustainable while supporting the community through a range of initiatives and projects.

Some major budget initiatives included in the 2024-2025 budget include:

Capital works

$28.57 million

Council Grant Programs

$465,000

Events delivery

$200,000

Lower Curdies River Flood Study

$200,000

Climate Change Strategy Implementation

$40,000

The capital works program include.

Completion of the multi-year Port Campbell Town Centre Revitalisation Project ($11 million) Roads ($8.30 million) – including rehabilitation, strategic local road upgrades, resheeting and resealing. Excluding Port Campbell Town Centre Revitalisation Project listed separately. Waste Management ($2.99 million) – including investment in the Naroghid landfill site to accommodate for the increased volumes, renewal of buildings at the Skipton and Port Campbell transfer stations and a Composting system trial. Buildings ($1.09 million) including floor replacement at Terang Hall and Timboon stadium, library façade and furniture refresh and solar battery power project at Council’s landfill. Plant and Equipment ($3.66 million) including significant investments of a compactor at landfill, a replacement jet patcher for road maintenance, street sweeper and ongoing cyclical replacement of the plant vehicle fleet. The Budget will deliver a $3.87 million operating surplus and will see Council remain debt free for a fourth year. Some budget initiatives are contingent upon securing Federal or State Government Funding Mayor Kate Makin said Council remained committed to maintaining local roads and advocating to the State and Federal Governments for further improvements to the arterial road network. “This draft Budget allocates $8.5 million to road rehabilitation, roads to recovery projects, resheeting and resealing,” she said. Some of the major road projects include rehabilitation of Cooriemungle Road (0.88km)  $350,000 Crawfords Road Ch. (1 km) $243,000 Danedite Road (1.1 km) $389,000 Hinkleys Road (1.68 km)  $403,000 Hospital Road, Baileys Road to Leahys Lane, Timboon  $233,000 and widening and rehabilitation of Rands Road, Timboon, from Morgan Street to Church Street $200,000

“Another $1.24 million is allocated to the gravel road resheeting program,” Cr Makin said.

Another major project is installation of a $420,000 footpath from Bowen Street to the Lakes and Craters Holiday Park in Camperdown.

The proposed Budget includes a rate increase of 2.75% within the State Government’s rate capping framework which has capped rate increases in Victorian councils. The differential rates include a reduction in the Farm Rate from 87.50% to 87% and increase in vacant industrial land from 142.50% to 150% in accordance with the adopted Revenue and Rating Plan.

Cr Makin said the Budget also included $100,000 each for improvements at pools and libraries, and energy & water saving measures at Council facilities.

“The waste management charge will increase by 5.35% to reflect the impact of inflation on the costs associated with the service,” she said.

“It also includes the introduction of the new kerbside glass collection service mandated by the State Government’s Recycling Victoria: A new economy plan.”

Council Grant Programs continue to be supported with:

Ready Now Grants

$25,000 

 Community Grants Funding

$50,000

Enabling Grants program

$20,000 

Small Business Assistance Program

$140,000

Business Façade Improvement Program

$50,000

Facility Grants

$50,000

Facility Design Grants 

$30,000

Environment Support Grants

$50,000

Events & Festivals Funding

$50,000

“Funding set aside to complete the Port Campbell Town Centre Revitalisation Project includes $7 million for roads, $3 million for footpaths and cycleways and $1 million for open spaces.”

Cr Makin encouraged residents to get a copy of the draft budget and have their say. It can be downloaded here.

Hard copies are also available by calling Council on 5593 7100.

Anyone wishing to provide feedback on the proposed Budget can do so in writing, addressed to Chief Executive Officer, Corangamite Shire Council, PO Box 84 Camperdown, 3260. You can also provide feedback here. Written and online feedback must be received before 5 pm on Monday 10 June.

Anyone providing feedback may request that they (or their representative) appear in person to present in support. Presentations will be in person to a committee of Council from 10 am on Tuesday 11 June.

Council will meet to consider adoption of the Budget on Tuesday 25 June at 7 pm at the Killara Centre.

For further information about the Budget, please Jacqui Thomas, Manager Finance, on 5593 7100.