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Wellington Shire Council seeks community feedback on draft 2022/23 budget

Wellington Shire Council today released its draft 2022/23 budget to the community for public feedback.

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

In addition to the considerable investment allocated for maintenance and up-keep of public assets, the draft budget proposes significant spending on roads infrastructure, footpaths and shared paths, and recreational leisure and community facilities. Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye said the draft budget detailed the funding required for council to deliver its broad range of services.

Submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 96 of the local government Act 2020, submission on the draft 2022-23 budget is until 5pm on Tuesday 10 May 2022

Improving infrastructures

Cr Bye said, "As the COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on our communities, we have completed a great deal of work to find cost savings within our operations which is reflected in the budget."

"Maintaining and improving our roads, bridges and drainage is a significant annual cost but also very important work, as are rural road reseals, gravel roads, footpaths and shared paths, and the maintenance of our open spaces, infrastructure, leisure and community facilities."

"As such we have provided funding in the budget to cover the costs of ensuring our public facilities and infrastructure are kept in good condition. Council is also finalising substantial remediation works to a number of roads, bridges and culverts that have been flood-impacted over the past six months, and these works will also continue into the next financial year." Cr Bye continued.

Enhancement in services

Property markets have changed in the past 12 months in regional Victoria, which will result in some variation in rates between individual properties based on movement in individual valuations as determined by the State Valuer General.

"Council's total general rate increase has been capped at 1.75 per cent in line with the Victorian government's Fair Go Rates System. Council is resolved to maintaining and enhancing services, while working within the cap." Cr Bye said.

Draft budget outlines

The draft budget outlines funding for a number of infrastructure projects, including:

• Great Southern Rail Trail, Welshpool to Alberton (multi-year project)
• Sale - Aqua Energy re-development
• Denison - Grimmes Road reconstruction - 3.1km
• Licola - Jamieson-Licola Road slip rectification
• Sale - North East drainage development

Other draft budget outlines for infrastructure projects also include:

• Nambrok - Sale-Toongabbie Road reconstruction and widening
• Jack River - Yarram-Morwell Road intersection reconstruction
• Stratford Youth Play Precinct upgrade
• Maffra Resource Recovery Facility (Transfer Station) construction
• Sale - Lansdowne Street and Macarthur Street roundabout

Council is also investing in many sustainability initiatives as part of its ongoing commitment to combating climate change. This includes offsetting around 1300 tonnes of carbon annually by purchasing all energy through the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), as well as support for the installation of more electric vehicle charging points throughout the shire.

The draft 2022/23 budget document and information on how to make submissions are available via Your Wellington Your Say web page.  Written submissions can be made until Tuesday 10 May. For more information about the draft budget phone 1300 366 244.

Pictures from wikipedia.org website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com