Bass Coast Shire Council has released its draft 2024/25 Budget for community consultation. The draft 2024/25 Budget includes almost $25 million in capital works projects and reaffirms an ongoing commitment to mitigating the impact of climate change.
Through prudent cost containment and targeted efficiencies, Council will sustain its level of service to the community and maintain rates within the State Government rate cap of 2.75%.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve said Council has worked hard to produce a responsible draft Budget for the next financial year in the face of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, increasing expenses and inflation across all sectors of our community.
"This is a conservative and responsible Budget given the current economic climate, which is placing additional financial burdens on our community and stretching households beyond their means," Cr Le Serve said.
"Council has not been immune to rising costs, but we have responded to economic headwinds by continually seeking efficiencies in the way we operate to minimise the impact on our community.
"This draft Budget aims to ensure that Council's financial position will remain sound with ongoing operating surpluses and important investment in capital works."
The draft Budget provides for total expenditure of $103.6 million, including almost $25 million on capital works. It projects an operating surplus of $4.3 million with a small underlying deficit of $66,000. Council has been impacted by increasing expenses, which are sitting at levels well above the State Government mandated rate cap of 2.75% and stagnant non-rates income growth. A strict cost containment discipline in conjunction with targeted efficiencies has enabled the development of a balanced budget for 2024/25.
The draft capital works program also includes $17.5 million to improve our transport network including active transport through our network of roads and pathways, $11.5 million for leisure and recreation facilities, and $8.1 million for upgrades to community facilities.
Cr Le Serve said Bass Coast was one of Victoria's fastest growing regions and had experienced population growth of almost 2.2 per cent in the past year.
"As well as the many people who call Bass Coast home, our region continues to be one of the most loved holiday and tourist destinations in the country," she said.
"We attract a growing number of visitors and holidaymakers each year so it is important that Council invests adequately in tourism and community facilities that will serve generations to come.
"I am excited to see several important community projects included in this draft Budget, including $3.7 million for the Wonthaggi to Inverloch Shared Path and funding for services for Berninneit and the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre.
"We will continue to advocate to the State and Federal governments for support to deliver major intergenerational capital projects well into the future."
Cr Le Serve said Council remained committed to the environment; building community resilience against the impacts of climate change and a collective response to reduce emissions.
"Continuing our organics bin for the disposal of household food waste is invaluable. This initiative has enabled Bass Coast to divert more than three-quarters of its waste from landfill - a sector leading achievement of which we are proud," she said.
Community consultation is open until 16 May 2024. We are holding several pop-up sessions where you can come along and find out more about the draft Budget and have a chat with our officers:
Grantville: Sunday 21 April 2024 10am to 2pm (Grantville Family Fun Day)
Cowes: Tuesday 30 April 2024 11am to 2pm Berninneit
Wonthaggi: Thursday 2 May 2024 12 to 2:30pm
Inverloch: Tuesday 7 May 2024 10am to 12:30pm
To read the 2024/25 draft Budget and provide your feedback visit Annual Budget 2024-25 | Engage Bass Coast
