East Gippsland Shire Council has proposed a 2022-23 Budget that will continue the largest capital works program in the shire's history, support local employment and continue the region's economic and social recovery.
In releasing the draft Budget 2022-23 for community feedback, Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said the largest ever capital works program at $91.7 million would bring significant benefit.
"The 2022-23 capital works program includes $47.4 million in government grants. This is the result of strong advocacy and working with community to identify, plan and progress projects that will have long-lasting benefit," Cr Reeves said.
"As a result, our capital works program will not only put much-needed infrastructure in place, but it will allow our communities to continue their recovery, connect and take pride in their towns, and help put East Gippsland on a path of economic growth."
Cr Reeves said Council provides services, facilities and programs across the shire, and the draft Budget is an important document that provides information of Councils financial resources over the next four years.
"Community feedback on the draft Budget is important. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to give their feedback by Friday 3 June at 12pm," Cr Reeves said.
The draft Budget proposes an increase of 1.75% in total rates and the municipal charge. This complies with the rate cap announced by the Victorian Government. It is important to note individual rate assessments will vary based on valuations undertaken by the Valuer-General Victoria.
Bushfire affected residents are still eligible for a rate waiver for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 years, if they have not yet rebuilt their home.
Household waste collection charges sit outside of the rate cap and it is proposed that waste collection charges will not change in the 2022-23 year.
Council recognises businesses are still recovering from the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires and pandemic lockdowns, so proposes to reduce the rate differential for commercial and industrial properties from 145% to 140%.
Farms get a differential rate discount, which was 90% (10% discount) in 2019-20, 82.5% (17.5% discount) in 2020-21 and 80% (20% discount) in 2021-2022. This was in recognition of the impact of the drought. The draft Budget proposes that the farm differential be set to 85% (15% discount) of the general rate; this will continue to provide a discount to all farming properties in the shire.
Waste Levy proposed
The budget proposes the introduction of a waste levy of $37 on all rateable properties that receive a municipal charge.
The levy is a direct response to a significant increase in the Victorian Government's landfill levy that is imposed on Council's landfills. This is the second year that the Victorian Government has imposed such a significant increase which will increase Council's landfill costs by almost $1 million.
Cr Reeves said the $37 waste levy will mean the costs imposed by the Victorian Government will be spread out equitably between ratepayers.
"Rather than increasing waste disposal fees, we will keep the fees at 2021-22 levels and introduce a levy. We hope this will also help reduce illegal dumping which has increased in recent years," Cr Reeves said.
Council will also continue to provide free recycling services at our landfills and transfer stations. The cost of disposing of mattresses is significantly discounted as part of this year's Budget. These services reflect Council's commitment to supporting recycling and the circular economy.
Raymond Island Ferry changes
Council will also make changes to the Raymond Island Ferry service to generate more income to offset more of the ferry's significant running costs.
"Operating and maintaining the ferry costs around $2.24 million a year which is a significant cost to Council and is only offset with income of $216,000 which is less than 10 per cent of the annual operating cost," Cr Reeves said.
"Recognising the importance of the ferry to those living on Raymond Island, all households will receive one free annual pass, but any additional passes will need to be purchased. Under our new system, this pass will be transferrable between vehicles. Extra passes can be purchased as usual.
"The annual fee for vehicles with trailers and commercials vehicles will increase 1.8 per cent. For the first time we will also introduce a small fee of $2 for walk on passengers.
"We understand that some parts of our community may not support these changes, but the costs of operating the ferry are increasing each year due to the vessel's age, fuel increases and increased legislative requirements by the Australian Marine Safety Authority. Making changes to ferry charges and increasing user-pays contributions is the responsible thing to do," Cr Reeves said.
Capital works an investment in the future
Cr Reeves said the $91.7 million capital works program was an investment in the future, with a focus on renewing infrastructure.
"We are proud to have delivered a number of major projects in recent years, and have some major projects in the construction stage," Cr Reeves said.
"Our proposed capital works program for 2022-23 is diverse in type and location. We will invest more than $18million into roads, bridges, footpaths, cycleways and drainage, while there's a focus on parking, rest areas and seawall replacement in towns such as Cann River, Newmerella, Paynesville and Mallacoota," Cr Reeves said.
"We also have more than 12 major buildings, facilities, streetscape or sporting projects scheduled across as many as 10 different towns. The opportunities for our communities, and visitors, will be significantly enhanced when those projects are finalised."
Some of the major projects in this year's draft budget are:
- Roads ($13.9 million) - including road reseal program, shire-wide - $3.6 million; gravel road renewal program, shire-wide - $1.2 million; Moroney Street, Bairnsdale upgrade - $1.9 million; Marine Parade, Lakes Entrance upgrade - $1.9 million.
- Bridges ($2.5 million) - including Hollonds O'Briens Road timber bridge renewal - $700K; Bullock Island Bridge - $1.2 million.
- Drainage ($1.1 million) - including stormwater renewal and improvements - $800K.
- Footpaths and Cycleways ($1.2 million) - including Lindenow footpath connections - $500K; Omeo Holiday Park to Livingstone Park footpath - $200K.
- Buildings and Improvements ($13.8 million) - including building renewal, shire-wide - $750K; Eagle Point Foreshore Hub - $3.92 million; Gymnastics Pavilion, Lucknow Recreation Reserve - $1.1 million; Mallacoota Hall and Recreation Reserve upgrade - $750K.
- Recreation, Leisure, Parks and Open Spaces ($42.3 million) - including WORLD Sporting Precinct Stage 1 - $10 million; Omeo Recreation Reserve court upgrades - $600K; Bullock Island Masterplan implementation - $3.5 million; Livingstone Park, Omeo - $1.5 million; Slip Road Maritime Precinct, Paynesville - $4.7 million; Lakes Entrance Foreshore and streetscape works - $1.5 million; Streetscapes in Mallacoota, Buchan and Bruthen - $3.5 million; Forest Park, Orbost - $1.1 million; Jemmy's Point, Kalimna Stage 2, - $1.8 million; Omeo Mountain Bike Trails - $3.7 million; Buchan projects - $1.5 million; Krauatungalung Walk, Lakes Entrance Stage 1 - $1.8 million.
- Plant and Equipment ($9 million) - including renewal of vehicles, plant and machinery - $3 million; Technology systems, shire-wide - $5.4 million.
- Waste Management ($1.7 million) - including Cann River Waste Transfer Station - $1.5 million.
- Other Infrastructure, Aerodromes and Car Parking ($6 million) - including Mallacoota Seawall Construction - $1.4 million; Cann River Off Street Parking - $1 million; Newmerella - Princes Highway Rest Area upgrade - $400K; Harbour Seawall, Paynesville - $1.6 million.
East Gippsland Shire Chief Executive Officer Anthony Basford said the draft Budget had been developed responsibly, considering many factors.
"Council is not immune from the rising costs Australians are experiencing. The increasing cost of fuel and building supplies is putting cost pressures on the delivery of our services and projects," Mr Basford said.
"We are proactive with our planning, and work with our suppliers and contractors to ensure we get the best value possible for ratepayers."
Feedback closes on Friday 3 June at 12.00 pm.
View the draft budget online or at our customer service centres.
