East Gippsland residents and ratepayers will benefit from improved roads, community facilities and infrastructure under the 2024/25 Budget, which was unanimously supported by Council.
In developing this budget, Council noted that it has been mindful of the challenges facing our communities, including cost-of-living pressures, which is why Council has developed what it terms a responsible budget that meets community needs while keeping rate increases to a minimum.
The newly adopted budget funds the final year of the Council Plan 2021-25, which is driven by a vision of an inclusive and innovative East Gippsland. It prioritises the natural environment, community-centred decision-making, and conditions conducive to a thriving and prosperous region.
A responsible budget
In developing the budget, Council said it recognised that cost-of-living pressures are impacting many.
It therefore developed a disciplined budget that keeps rates at 2.75 per cent, which is below forecast inflation, balancing community aspirations for more of some services and delivering on our legislative obligations while keeping the financial impact on community as low as possible.
Council delivers about 100 services across a huge area. These services include libraries, emergency management, roads, waste and recycling, arts and recreation, health and local laws.
The budget, in keeping rate increases less than inflation, has identified and adopted a range of efficiencies. Council noted that it is part of the community it serves and understands the challenges of the economic climate and cost-of-living pressures.
"We are continually looking at ways to improve the efficiency of our service delivery and innovate to remain financially sustainable," Mayor Cr Tom Crook said. "We do this in many ways, including collaborative procurement agreements and sharing services with a neighbouring council. This, and many other things have had a significant impact in reducing costs.
"The income we generate from rates covers less than half of what we must spend to deliver the services our communities need, so we must work within our means to balance what our communities want with what we can afford to deliver," Cr Crook said.
"We listen to our communities and have prioritised the things they need the most, which includes advocating for much-needed funding from state and federal governments to make up funding shortfalls.
"Council, just like our community, is working in a challenging economic environment," Cr Crook said. "This budget meets our community's needs in a financially sustainable way while meeting our legal responsibilities and people's expectations."
Investment in core services such as road maintenance, parks and gardens, waste management, and community facilities remains a priority as Council strives to build and maintain a thriving East Gippsland.
Budget highlights
The budget proposes more than $91.3 million in capital works, including $55 million carried over from the previous year to complete projects already under way.
These include:
- Completion of the Slip Road Maritime Precinct at Paynesville
- Streetscape improvements at Mallacoota
- Safety upgrades along Marine Parade in Lakes Entrance
- Work on the Krauatungalung Walk at Lakes Entrance
- Revitalisation of Omeo's streetscape and Livingstone Park
- A new air ambulance facility and runway improvements in Bairnsdale
- A major upgrade to Forest Park in Orbost
The budget includes $36 million of capital grants from the state and federal governments which support a range of projects that respond to the region's growing population and community needs.
Council will also continue to improve roads, footpaths and drainage across the shire, including:
- $2.2m to reseal roads
- $1.2m to improve gravel roads
- $1.14m to complete upgrades to Moroney Street, Bairnsdale
- $600K for bridges and culverts
- $1.3m to improve footpaths and cycleways
The budget also invests in upgrades to Sarsfield Recreation Reserve and Buchan Recreation Reserve.
"Everyone benefits from our community assets, including roads, sporting facilities and open spaces, and this budget invests to maintain them," Cr Crook said.
In 2024/25, the maintenance budget includes:
- $18m to maintain roads and bridges
- $8.5m to maintain parks and gardens
- $1.57m to maintain buildings
- $2.06m to maintain plant and fleet
Rates will increase slightly, in line with the Victoria Government's rate cap of 2.75 per cent.
The commercial and industrial differential rate will be 5 per cent lower than last year at 135 per cent of the general rate. The farm rate differential will be 75 per cent of the general rate.
For most ratepayers, the increase equates to about a $1 a week.
Council will raise almost $71.5m through general rates, municipal and waste collection charges.
"Rates are necessary to keep our services running, but many in our community are experiencing financial hardship," Cr Crook said.
