Murray River Council has adopted its 2021-22 Operational Plan and Budget along with updated Fees and Charges at its ordinary meeting of council this week.
In adopting the plans, Mayor Chris Bilkey said road, footpath and bridge renewal account for the majority of the projected spend, with asset management and service delivery also influencing the budget.
"We are right in the middle of a service review program which is looking at asset management plans, service delivery and resourcing,"
"As such, we are delivering a carefully considered budget that looks towards building a solid foundation for the future growth whilst we await the outcomes of these reviews," he said.
The adopted budget is based on total rate revenue increase of the pegged 2.0% in ordinary rates.
The budget includes a projected capital expenditure of $34.732 million, with a number of key areas of spend, including:
- $2.073m regional roads
- $1.442m local roads
- $6.181m rural roads
- $4.160m bridges
- $1.930m stormwater and levee management
- $1.199m water supply services
- $2.601m waste management
- $4.230m Economic Development activities
Some of the larger projects earmarked in the capital spend include a council-wide landfill strategy, Moama Pre-School development, town levees in Moulamein, council-wide installation of LED Street Lights, reseals and heavy patching across the council and the rehabilitation of several remaining timber bridges.
The 2021/22 budget also delivers the harmonisation of annual water and sewer charges, aligning the different rating structures from former Murray and former Wakool Shires.
