Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Community feedback wanted on draft 2022/23 budget for Bass Coast Shire Council seeks

Bass Coast Shire Council is excited to release its Draft 2022/23 Budget for community consultation.

By news@gippsland - 20th April 2022 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said that this budget continues the strong investment in Capital Works projects with a program of $28.8 million. "We continue to invest to reactivate our region, support businesses and develop inclusive communities," Cr Whelan said.

Council is committed to providing accessible and sustainable services for our communities and also mindful of the rise of cost of living, and with the with the state government rate cap

Program highlights

Key highlights of the Capital Works program include:

• Final stage of Cowes Cultural and Community Centre Redevelopment and associated Public Realm Improvements - $5 million
• Grantville Landfill Micro Turbines - $1.6 million
• Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan priorities - $3 million
• Shetland Heights/Potters Hill Roads, Drainage and Footpaths - $1.8 million

Cr Whelan said there are other significant highlights included in the Draft Budget.

Allocated funding

Cr Whelan said, "We have allocated funding to a number of projects that will help reduce council's ecological footprint, including:

• $1.3 million for shore stabilisation projects
• $785,000 for coast and bushland management
• $1.3 million for protecting our natural environment.
• $1.6 million towards council's objective of having zero net emissions over the next 10 years

Also included in the Draft Budget is $11.2 million for new leisure and recreation facilities, $14 million to maintain and improve Bass Coast's road and pathways network, $18.6 million on waste services and $10.9 million to upgrade community facilities.

"We are committed to providing accessible, affordable and sustainable services for our communities. We are also mindful of the rise of the cost of living. Our Draft Budget is in line with the State Government rate cap, which represents half the current inflation rate of 3.5% per annum. Additionally, a user pays approach to the waste charge calculation has resulted in a $9 (1.8%) reduction in the standard household waste charge."

Strategic plan funding

The Draft Budget maintains council's strong working capital position with borrowings well within the prudential ratios, an operating surplus of $2.2 million and a balanced Funding Statement position. This outcome has been achieved without any reductions in service levels or standards. New funding has been provided in the Draft Operating Budget for the following strategic plans, minor projects and major precincts:

• Neighbourhood Character and Housing Strategy - $150,000
• San Remo Structure Plan - $150,000
• Finalisation of Wonthaggi North East Structure Plan - $250,000

The Draft Budget continues to support the agricultural community with a rating differential of 80% plus the opportunity to apply for the Rural Land Management Program, which returns approximately $665,000 to the rural community for land management.

Community feedback

Feedback on the Draft Fees and Charges 2022/23 is also being sought, with fees being reviewed annually to ensure that an equitable balance between user funded services and ratepayer funded services is maintained. A Draft Fees and Charges schedule for Cultural Facilities has also been developed which includes the new Cowes Cultural and Community Centre as part of the Budget.

Making a submission.

Interested community members are invited to an on-line Facebook Q&A forum to learn more about the Draft 2022/23 Budget on:

• Bass Coast Shire Facebook page
• Wednesday, 4 May
• 6.00pm to 7.30pm

The Draft 2022/23 Budget can be downloaded from council's website at Bass Coast Shire Council - Budget page.

Draft budget

Copies of the Draft 2022/23 Budget will be available for inspection at the:

• Bass Coast Civic Centre
• 76 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi

If you would like a copy of the 2022/23 Draft Budget to be sent to you by mail, please send your request to basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au or contact Kristen Stewart at 1300 BCOAST (226 278) on (03) 5671 2211. Submissions are invited to the Draft 2022/23 Budget and can be made online, through Bass Coast Shire Council 2022-23 draft budget. The submission period will close at:

• Monday 16 May
• 5.00pm on

Submissions will be considered by Council on Wednesday, 25 May. Council will also hear submissions from community organisations on Wednesday, 25 May. The Final 2022/23 Budget will be presented at the Council Meeting on Wednesday, 15 June for adoption. Responses to budget submissions, including any funding changes will be incorporated into this council report.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com