Campaspe Shire Council is seeking community input on project ideas to help inform decision making in the 2024/25 budget.
Council is asking the community to submit project ideas, capped at $50,000 per project, so that further development and scoping on eligible projects can be done early in the budget process to allow for more efficient decision making.
"If you or your community group has been thinking about project ideas that roughly sit under $50,000, we want to hear about them now so we can fully consider these as part of the budget process," Deputy Mayor, Cr Tony Marwood said.
"We've had suggestions in the past ranging from more seating, community events, hydration stations and toilet blocks in parks; those sorts of ideas are what we are looking for," he said.
Cr Marwood emphasised the project ideas should be one off, lower cost projects that are separate to the budget for renewal and grant related projects already inherent in the capital program.
"Not all project ideas will be feasible for Council to further develop, but let's hear from the community as to what resonates. We want people to be able to see the ideas come to life quickly, so this process allows council officers to prepare and develop ideas for consideration earlier in the process, rather than having to retrofit priorities after much of the budget development work has been done," Cr Marwood said.
"This process means we can be creative about what we want for our region without sacrificing the capital projects that are essential for everyday living," Cr Marwood said.
Council has set aside $500,000 to bring the top priorities to life once more development work and community preferences have been taken in to consideration.
Deputy Mayor Cr Tony Marwood said Council had brought the process forward, rather than wait until April in 2024 to allow officers to further scope suggested projects
"Scoping and developing these ideas for budget consideration takes time and resource so the sooner we do that in the budget process the better as it allows us the necessary time to fully and accurately consider the projects," Cr Marwood said.
Council has collated a short list of ideas as a result of past engagements that might help get the creative juices flowing. (See attachment).
Traditionally, Council has put its budget out to the community for feedback and comment in April, with submissions heard in May before the budget is adopted in June for the following financial year.
However, in order to have those ideas further developed and costed for consideration in the 2024/25 budget, council is asking the community for their input on community project ideas now until the start of February 2024, as opposed to later in the budget process.
"Council will then consider those projects to help inform decisions in the 2024/25 budget."
With Council mindful of fiscal obligations, Cr Marwood said council is prioritising project ideas that the community has advocated for that deliver value and efficiency.
Council will consult with the community on fees and charges in March of next year, separate to the project ideas process, to ensure a smoother budget process.
You can submit your ideas now via the Council website and complete the online form - click here to view. Alternatively, you can call Council on 1300 666 535 or visit any Customer Service Centre to pick up a hard copy form and post Campaspe Shire Council, Attention Finance, PO Box 35, Echuca VIC 3564.
Ideas can be lodged up to 5pm on Friday, February 2, 2024.
