The Moira Shire Council endorsed a draft budget for the coming financial year at a meeting of Council on 9 May 2024 and will be seeking feedback from the community through until Monday 3 June 2024.
Council's Chair Administrator John Tanner AM stated that "the budget represents our commitment to responsible spending, maintaining important services for the community, and delivering while delivering long-awaited major projects."
Mr Tanner added that despite economic challenges for communities and the Council, Council remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible spending and delivering outcomes for the community.
"Important community services such as maternal and child health, kerbside collection and waste, local laws, emergency management and animal management remain at the forefront of our priorities, safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents," said Mr Tanner.
"The proposed 2024/25 budget also focuses on clearing a backlog of capital works, improving existing assets such as roads, bridges and footpaths, and enhancing community services."
"We have committed to and will be progressing long-awaited major projects, specifically the new contemporary library and multisport stadium in Yarrawonga and the flood levee works in Numurkah."
"Road safety has been a key focus for Council in the past 12 months and we are confident we will secure blackspot funding in order to be able to deliver key intersection upgrades to enhance road safety in Strathmerton, Numurkah and Yarrawonga," said Mr Tanner.
Council's budget also includes several 'future proofing projects' aimed at planning for future growth within the community and includes the development of an Economic Development Strategy, Housing Needs Analysis, Tourism Plan and a Structure Plan for Bundalong. This is in addition to several localised master plans including the Cobram Punt Road Precinct and the former Yarrawonga Primary School site.
"Environmental considerations are also forefront with Council looking to identify appropriate locations within townships for EV charging stations, undertake carbon assessments and investigate ways to increase tree canopy within our townships," Mr Tanner said.
"Although there are some fantastic projects and initiatives in the draft budget, we cannot overlook the financial situation we find ourselves in, Administrators have adopted a robust strategy in place to return Council's finances to within target and acceptable ranges over the coming years, including returning Council to a surplus position."
Over the course of the next four years, there will be three principles underpinning Council's approach to financial management, which will include a strong focus on cost control and finding efficiencies, effective asset planning and review of our asset base and reviewing our service framework and deliverables to the community.
Moira Shire Council CEO Matthew Morgan said that "this budget has been carefully crafted after considering a number of factors including the cost-of-living challenges, the changing and growing needs of our community, community submissions received during the early consultation process, the financial constraints of council itself along with the need for Council to continue to deliver the services expected by our community."
"We are working within the State Government's rate cap of 2.75%, however we are susceptible to cost increases as is any other organisation and we have the added complication of the state increasing its land and waste based taxes which will impact on our ratepayers."
"In the coming years we'll be looking at how we invest in renewal of existing assets as opposed to creating new assets and facilities, which will mean in some instances tough decisions need to be made around future projects and 'nice to haves' versus the core areas of responsibility for Council," said Mr Morgan.
Mr Tanner concluded "the draft 2024/25 budget will lay a solid foundation for Council to achieve its long-term goals. With careful planning and strategic allocation of resources, we are confident in our ability to navigate future challenges while continuing to support our community. Together we will work to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all."
Council encourages all residents to review the Draft 2024/25 Budget, available to read on the Moira Matters website until Monday 3 June 2024.
