Some of Byron Shire Council's most important and interesting documents of the year, including the draft budget for 2022/23, are now on public exhibition.
The budget for the next financial year proposes a capital works program of $76.2 million broken down to:
- General Fund - $44.7 million
- Water Fund - $2.4 million
- Sewerage Fund - $28.9 million.
Funding for projects and work in 2022/23 include:
- Roads and drainage - $25.1 million
- Byron Bay skatepark - $2.5 million
- Open space and recreation (parks etc) - $800,000
- Waste management - $5.4 million
- Redevelopment of the Byron Hospital - $5 million
Council is proposing an increase to pay parking fees from $4/hour to $5/hour, the first increase since 1 July 2017.
Esmeralda Davis, Acting Director Corporate and Community Services, said the increase has been proposed following impacts of COVID and the recent floods.
"COVID and the recent floods have really hit the Byron Shire hard and we have seen our pay parking meter revenue, which is normally around $3.6 million a year, decrease to $3.3 million last year.
"On top of that many of our facilities were closed due to COVID, or not operating to capacity, and the cost of everything has increased," Ms Davis said.
"The aim of pay parking is for Council to recoup money from visitors to our Shire so we will not be increasing the cost of annual parking permits for Byron Shire residents and businesses," she said.
The budget, delivery program and operational plan are on exhibition until 10 June 2022.
Information about the documents and how to make a submission are on Your Say Byron Shire.
