Community members are invited to lodge submissions on projects or community priorities for consideration in the 2022/2023 Budget.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the timeline had changed this year for community members to provide input earlier as part of the annual Budget and Council Plan process.
"Council is keen to start the engagement process now to help understand priorities in the community and inform the drafting of next year's Council Plan actions and Budget," Cr Metcalf said.
"As we continue to drive recovery in the region, it is important for Council to understand what's needed in the community. This could be progressing existing projects, looking at new project ideas or other ways we can support our residents to achieve great things in our community. These need to be considered along with our existing services and budget settings."
The proposed 2022/2023 Budget will be drafted in line with the recently adopted 10-year Financial Plan and will continue to support services and prioritise projects that contribute towards goals outlined in the Council Plan, Healthy Greater Bendigo, the Stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 Economic Development Strategy and the Climate Change and Environment Strategy.
The annual Budget funds 69 different services to the local community and maintenance of over $1.8B worth of community assets to support both residents and visitors to the region.
Around 63 per cent of Budget revenue comes from rates. Increases to rate revenue are currently capped under the State Government's Fair Go Rates system, determined by the State Minister for Local Government. This limits revenue available to fund new projects and initiatives.
"With submissions about projects or priorities from the community coming in earlier, we can make informed decisions on what can be prioritised. We had some great engagement in the process of forming the recently approved Council Plan, and Councillors are keen to re-prioritise conversations in 2022-2023."
Budget submissions from the community are open until Thursday December 2, 2021 on the City's online engagement platform, Let's Talk.
"Community members with submissions will have the opportunity to present to Councillors in person on Thursday December 9, 2021 starting at 5.30pm at Bendigo Town Hall."
All submissions received will be collated and reviewed by City of Greater Bendigo officers and Councillors, including consideration of the Council Plan and the Financial Plan settings endorsed by Council in October 2021.
Council will consider a draft Budget in April 2022 and this will be made available for community feedback.
To make a Budget submission, visit: https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/2022-2023-budget
