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07-08 Draft Council Budget – Have Your SayBass Coast Shire Council rates and charges are proposed to increase by 7.9 percent this year. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 25th June 2007 - Back to News The Council also proposes to spend $13.1 million on capital works projects, increase debt by $492,000 and spend approximately $500,000 on new initiatives.
The 07-08 Draft Council Budget is on public exhibition until Wednesday July 11, which means the community now has an opportunity to give input.
The Draft Budget and a series of user-friendly Budget Fact Sheets are available to view at any Council Customer Service Centre or on the website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden said the budget had been drafted with a focus on keeping up current service levels and maintaining existing infrastructure such as roads, drains, buildings and other assets.
"We have also tried to respond to the needs of Bass Coast’s rapidly growing population by delivering new initiatives as well as upgraded and new infrastructure.
"But we of course had to balance these needs with our obligations to maintain Council’s sound financial position, including keeping rates affordable and managing our debt levels."
Some of the key projects in the 07-08 Draft Budget include:
- Stage 1 of a Wonthaggi Children’s Centre – a new kindergarten to be built on the corner of King and Drysdale Streets – cost $578,000
- Inverloch Neighbourhood House relocation and Library extension – cost $565,000
- Widening and sealing of Nyora-St Helier Road, Woodleigh from South Gippsland Highway to Doherty Road – cost $500,000 (includes $350,000 government grant)
- Rehabilitation of Hade Avenue Bridge, Bass – cost $400,000 (includes $280,000 government grant)
- Widening and sealing of Grantville Glen-Alvie Road, Grantville - Stage 1, Bass Highway to Agnes Street) – cost $291,000 (funded by government grant)
- Reconstruction of Church Street, Cowes from Genista Street to McKenzie Road – cost $211,000 (funded by government grant)
- Phillip Island Bicycle Path completion of Smiths Beach Road path to Phillip Island Road – cost $105,000
- Rehabilitation of Rhyll landfill site – cost $175,000
- Wonthaggi Arts Centre renewal program – cost $114,000
- Grantville Memorial Park development – cost $66,000
- Relocation of Corinella Mobile Library site – cost $65,000
- Inverloch Visitor Information Centre – new building – cost $132,000 (includes $100,000 government grant)
- Wonthaggi Centenary Visitor Information Centre – detailed design – cost $40,000
- Bass Coast Civic Centre redevelopment – cost $479,000
Shire Mayor, Cr Neville Goodwin reinforced that the Council faced a number of serious challenges.
"Our population is growing at above average levels and this puts extra pressure on available services and facilities," Cr Goodwin said.
"Another major challenge is that available revenue such as government grants, fees and charges, and rates are not keeping pace with the cost and demand for services and facilities.
"Many of our grants are based upon CPI increases which simply don’t reflect the cost of providing services and this means that Council must continually top up the difference.
"As a result, our ability to keep rates affordable and maintain its ageing infrastructure is constantly under pressure," Cr Goodwin added.
"At the same time other levels of government are failing to provide, no longer providing or under funding some services and infrastructure with the expectation that local government will ‘fill the gaps’," said Cr Goodwin.
Mr Bawden assured the community, however, that staff and Councillors had worked very hard to address all the challenges.
Comments on the budget should be made in writing to the Chief Executive Officer by 5pm on Wednesday, 11 July 2007 and be addressed to: Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi VIC 3995.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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