Campaspe Shire Council adopted its $92.2 million 2023-2024 Budget at Tuesday night's Council meeting following public submissions and hearings.
Mayor Rob Amos said the $92.2 million Budget adheres to the State Government's rate capping constraint of 3.5 per cent, provides for a Capital Works Program of $27.4 million, including $7.55 million to roads and bridges, plus over 80 services and programs provided across the shire.
"There is an urgency to address many long held projects and get works completed and maintained for the long term which has contributed to a deficit of $4.93 million, albeit a smaller deficit than $5.78 million initially advertised due to state government funding advice received since.
"We know that a deficit of this size is not sustainable and we're developing a plan to ensure we get back to a break-even position over the next four years," said Mayor Amos.
Mayor Amos said that the spend supports the need to stimulate the economy after years of COVID, and the impact of the 2022 floods.
"We have an additional 15.9 hectares of parks and gardens that require maintaining, alongside improvement to our amenities such as toilet blocks, as well as $1.66m on footpaths and cycleways and $4.30 million on public buildings.
"Once again, we are also offering free entry to all outdoor pools for the summer season, which is great news for the Campaspe community," Mayor Amos added.
The adopted budget details all projects in the $27.4 million Capital Works Program. In addition to the Capital Works Program, $9.86m is to be spent on maintenance and priority works across Council's 1,100km of sealed, 2,051km of gravel and 867km of earth roads. The budget also details all fees and charges across all service areas.
Key areas of expenditure in the capital program include:
• $10.72 million on roads and bridges (including the upgrade Echuca Aerodrome)
• $4.30 million on public buildings
• $3.2 million for new plant for roads, parks and gardens as well as $3.37 million to replace existing plant and equipment.
• $1.92 million on stormwater and flood control
• $1.24 million on recreation and open space
Additionally, Council endorsed the allocation funds for the Rochester Recreation Reserve Moon Oval Lighting project committing up to $306,000, as well as $180,000 for the Toolleen Recreation Reserve's netball courts upgrade.
Council also agreed to change the current farm land rate differential of 90%, as a one-off change, to 80% for the 2023-24 budget year.
"We believe the use of differential rates is the most equitable way to charge rate payers, and in all cases, the rate in the dollar for each group of differentials has reduced compared to the 2022-23 financial year. The decision to revise the farm land rate differential was made to more evenly spread the rates levied across all property types."
The proposed budget was released in May for community feedback, with submissions closed on 1 June.
"We received five submissions to the proposed budget, with three residents electing to speak at the submission hearing of 6 June.
"We want to thank those residents who took time to provide a submission and let the community know that all submitters will now be provided with a written response to the issue raised in their submission," Mayor Amos said.
In adopting the budget a number of amendments were made, including:
- Updating the rates table after receiving certification from the Victorian Valuer General for the 2023 general property valuation.
- Updated the amount budgeted for Financial Assistance Grants to reflect advice received from the Department of Government Services, increasing the amount budgeted by $852,800.
- Updating the document to include the 2022-23 budget comparatives, correct minor errors to performance indicators and update the location of fees and charges in various tables and statements.
- Updating the statutory fees and charges to reflect the State Government gazetted fee unit and penalty fee unit.
The 2023-24 Budget document is available on Council's website or to view in person at any of Council's Customer Service Centres.
