Council's Annual 2020-21 Budget, adopted at tonight's Ordinary Council Meeting, will provide $5.2 million in targeted support for the Hobsons Bay community and businesses impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The 2020-21 budget includes $2.2 million in rate relief, ongoing delivery of essential services and programs, upscaling of grants and community support packages, increased capital works spend and a revised Financial Hardship Policy.
The Victorian Government's two-month extension for all councils to complete their 2020-21 budgets enabled Council to listen, respond and work proactively with stakeholder representatives to source meaningful ways to assist both residential and business community members.
The 2020-21 budget applies a 2 per cent rate increase to the overall rateable revenue stream, in line with the Victorian Government's Fair Go Rates System. While this would normally generate additional revenue of approximately $2.1 million, Council is implementing a rate adjustment (which is a slightly higher amount than the revenue stream) to redirect over $2.2 million in funds back to ratepayers. This means rates notices for 2020-21, when compared to the previous year, will on average:
- decrease by 0.17 per cent for residential properties
- decrease by 0.31 per cent for vacant residential properties
- decrease by 1.91 per cent for commercial properties
- decrease by 0.02 per cent for industrial properties
- decrease by 0.27 per cent for cultural and recreational properties
These rate decreases may also include an adjustment of $200 and $900 for eligible commercial and industrial properties, respectively. Council is also providing additional support for pensioners, with up to a 50 per cent increase in the rebate to pension card and DVA gold card holders.
Council has also refreshed the Financial Hardship Policy to provide genuine and discreet support for residents and businesses impacted by the pandemic.
In addition to the $2.2 million rate adjustment, a third Community Support Package worth $3 million will support businesses and the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost $2 million will be dedicated to business and economic recovery, including rebates for the 2020-21 food registration ($595,000), public health fees ($63,000) and footpath trading permit fees ($150,000), extending the waiver of paid parking in Nelson Place until 31 December 2020 ($520,000), rent relief in Council owned property ($210,000), town planning rebates ($177,000), and rolling out a business precinct support campaign ($250,000).
This package also invests $943,000 into community and local business recovery and includes: a program to support local community capacity building ($232,000); waiver of summer sports ground rentals ($72,000); strategic planning support for groups to resume training and competition ($60,000); sports pavilion cleaning program ($20,000); and 'loan to own' iPads program at the libraries ($60,000).
Additionally, a COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program worth $500,000 has been added to Council's existing Annual Community Grants Programs, totalling $1 million in grant funding available for the community this financial year to enable flexible and responsive support.
The 2020-21 budget continues to deliver more than 100 vital community services, and capital works improvements worth $67.566 million across the city.
The Capital Works Program plays an essential role in managing our ageing assets, keeping our city moving with on-the-ground projects, providing a boost to local jobs and strengthening our economy in the recovery phase of the pandemic.
Highlights include: $15.605 million for roads and drains; $1.515 million for footpaths and cycle ways; $16.333 million for recreation and open space; and $29.658 million on buildings, such as sporting and recreational facilities, civic and community facilities.
A copy of the budget can be found at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Council/Publications/Budget
As noted by Hobsons Bay Mayor Cr Colleen Gates
"The 2020-21 budget has been developed with the community and their needs at its centre, and to show that we care about the impacts being felt right across our city in a Covid-19 environment. This budget has been reshaped and reworked many times since the start of the year. We have listened to stakeholder feedback and thank the community for their patience and their much-valued input.
We acknowledge the goal posts keep shifting and whilst we have a responsibility to deliver a budget that ensures financial sustainability both during the pandemic and in the longer term, we also acknowledge it does not preclude us from providing further support packages and budget adjustments during the forthcoming year to aid recovery.
"We will provide $5.2 million in targeted support for the Hobsons Bay community and businesses including rate relief. I want to emphasise that if residents or businesses are experiencing financial hardship and can no longer pay Council rates, interest on outstanding rates or Council fees and charges for their home, business, sports club or community group, please apply for financial assistance on our website. It's easy, confidential and can all be done online at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/financialassistance. "
