Swan Hill Rural City Council is currently asking for community feedback on the draft 2024/25 budget.
View the draft Budget 2024/25 and have your say!
Mayor, Cr Stuart King said that the draft budget follows on from an eventful year of major project activity including the completion of the Robinvale Leisure Centre and Splash Park, the Robinvale Skate Park, the Swan Hill River Viewing Platform and Boardwalk, street lighting upgrades, ongoing sealed road renewal works and footpath replacements.
"It also trails from the unforeseen disruptions caused by the high river and flooding events in 2023 that created the need for critical response and additional maintenance across the municipality," explains Cr King.
Cr King said that the focus of this year's budget is on maintaining services to a high standard while delivering them cost effectively, but still being able to deliver a positive capital works program, that we are all proud of.
"Our 2024/25 budget plans for a rate rise of 2.75%, in line with State Government Rate Cap and significantly less than the CPI and other cost of living indexes. We will continue our focus of striving for efficient, high-quality services and facilities for our community, as well as delivering a superior capital works program," informed Cr King.
This budget plans for a number of projects set to be delivered across our municipality, in partnership with the State and Federal government.
"We encourage residents to read our draft budget thoroughly. We are seeking feedback from the entire community," explained Cr King.
"We look forward to continuing to deliver vital services across the municipality, working alongside the community during the next 12 months and beyond," he said.
All draft budget submissions should be received by 4pm Friday 17 May 2024.
Community members can provide feedback on the draft budget online by clicking here, or by writing to: Chief Executive Officer, Swan Hill Rural City Council, PO Box 488, Swan Hill VIC 3585.
Key dates
Friday, 17 May at 4pm – Submissions to the draft budget close
Tuesday, 28 May – Special Council Meeting to receive and hear submissions. If no submissions are received, Council will consider whether to amend or adopt the budget at this meeting.
Tuesday, 4 June - Special Council Meeting. If submissions are received, Council will consider submissions at this meeting.
Tuesday, 11 June - Ordinary Council Meeting where Council will look to adopt the budget if not done so beforehand.
We are delighted our 2024/25 budget will include:
Our 2024/25 budget contains a $35.18 million allocation for a number of exciting projects, right across our municipality, including:
- Pental Island - Pioneer Settlement Pedestrian Bridge upgrade
- Art Gallery redevelopment
- Cultural and Tourism Hub development
- Compost Facility Establishment stage 2
- Empower Youth Initiative
- Nyah Cricket Practice and Community Event Space
- Robinvale Drainage works stage 2
- Tower Hill stage 16
- Swan Hill Showgrounds Regional Hub
- Sealed Roads renewal works
- Unsealed Roads renewal works
- Karinie Street reconstruction
- Renewal works to community buildings
- Continued funding for Swan Hill Riverfront Masterplan projects
- and much more.
