Corangamite Council adopts 2024-2025 Budget

Published on 26 June 2024

Corangamite Shire Council is in a stable financial position as it adopts its $69 million 2024-2025 Budget.

Councillors last night adopted the Budget, incorporating changes following consideration of public submissions.

Mayor Kate Makin said the Budget ensured Council got the best value for money for its ratepayers.

“Particularly in these difficult times with high inflation and shortages of materials and skills, Council has put in a lot of work to make sure continue to maintain a stable financial position.

“This means we can continue to deliver high quality projects and services for our community.

“With elections later this year, the 12-month budget and annual action plan give the organisation clear and detailed directions until a new Council is at the table next financial year.”

As indicated at the May Council meeting, Council added the project to develop the Camperdown and Terang Structure plans.

A $300,000 project to develop Structure plans for Camperdown and Terang has been added to the Corangamite Shire Budget for 2024-2025.

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.

The waste management charge will increase by 5.35% to reflect the effect of inflation on costs and introduction of the new kerbside glass collection service mandated by the State Government.

Major initiatives in the 2024-2025 Budget include:

Capital works........................................................................... $28.57 million Grant Programs............................................................................... $415,000 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) including roads, footpath, cycleways and open spaces. 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. Some budget initiatives are contingent upon securing Federal or State Government Funding This Budget allocates $8.5 million to road rehabilitation, roads to recovery projects, resheeting and resealing. Some of the major road projects include rehabilitation of Cooriemungle Road (0.88 km)...................................................... $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 major project is installation of a $420,000 footpath from Bowen Street to the Lakes and Craters Holiday Park in Camperdown. The Budget also included $100,000 each for improvements at pools and libraries, and energy & water saving measures at Council facilities. 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.............................................. $90,000 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

Read the full Budget document here.