Council last night endorsed its Draft Budget for 2022—23, which will now be available for public exhibition for a period of five weeks. This Draft Budget is the first to be developed in the context of Council's 10-year Financial Plan adopted in September 2021.
"Councillors and officers worked collaboratively to develop the draft Budget over six workshops and explored all parts of the budget including operating budgets, employee costs, waste charges, fees and charges and business cases for new initiatives and capital works," said Chief Executive Officer, Anne Howard.
"Council has prepared a draft Budget for the 2022-23 financial year which seeks to meet important demands for services and infrastructure yet remain affordable for our community, and I look forward to hearing what the community thinks about the document."
The Draft Budget 2022—23 includes a proposed 1.75 per cent average rate increase, which is in line with the Fair Go Rates system rate cap.
Despite a tight financial operating environment and State Government mandated rates cap, the Budget will include a net surplus of $0.29 million and a closing cash balance of $14.3 million.
The Draft Budget 2022—23 will allow Council to invest a further $12.1 million in capital works projects, of which $8.255 million is directed to Council's asset renewal program to ensure that our assets continue to support economic prosperity and healthy connected communities.
A $5.219 million allocation to roads and bridges, which is additional to works that have already commenced in 2021-22, shows Council remains committed to ensuring its road network stays in good condition.
The Draft Budget 2022—23 has been guided by the Revenue and Ratings Plan, Workforce Plan and Long Term Financial Plan with major items of capital expenditure proposed as:
- Elliminyt wetlands development $3.0m
- Sealed road reconstruction program $2.5m
- Heavy plant replacement $1.2m
- Unsealed road reconstruction program $1.0m
- Bridge renewal programme $0.984m
- Building renewal programme $0.750m
- Computers and telecommunications renewal and upgrade $0.455m
- Major patching program $0.350m
- Light fleet replacement $0.300m
- Road safety $0.275m
- Asset condition assessment $0.250m
- Building upgrade programme $0.234m
- Elliminyt Recreation Reserve oval lighting replacement $0.200m
- Footpath renewal $0.179m
- Stormwater renewal and upgrade $0.140m
"After a series of very unpredictable years during COVID-19, this Draft Budget aims to get us back on track to delivering key projects and infrastructure improvements in the coming financial year," said Ms Howard. "I encourage all residents to look over the figures and provide feedback, and I thank those who contributed submissions for the Rating Strategy."
Council considered submissions and adopted its Rating Strategy review at last night's meeting. The final rating strategy underpins the Draft Budget 2022-23.
