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A robust budget addressing community needs

By Wellington Shire Council - 25th May 2005 - Back to News

Wellington Shire Council is recommending an overall increase in rates and charges of 6.9% for the coming financial year, to continue a significant program of investment aimed at addressing key economic, social and environmental issues identified by the local community.

Feedback provided by local residents – at community meetings around the shire, Council Meetings, through District Advisory Networks (DANs) and the community satisfaction survey – has been central in determining the priorities for the council’s 2005/06 budget.

A total budget of $47.6 million is proposed, which represents an increase of $3.6 million on the current year.

An overall rate revenue increase of 6.9% is recommended, supported by a $6 increase in the municipal charge (from $142 to $148). It is proposed that the garbage charge remains unchanged at $160.

To help it comply with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements, state legislation and sound waste management practice, the council proposes to introduce a new charge for waste infrastructure of $25 to specifically fund future environmentally sustainable waste facilities. This will bring Wellington Shire into line with many other municipalities across Victoria.

This will enable more than $15 million to be targeted at the council’s capital investment program over the coming financial year, for a number of significant initiatives. These include:

• increasing the overall funding directed at maintaining/upgrading the shire’s road network, bridges and buildings;
• completion of the $2.4 million Rosedale Multipurpose Community Centre;
• completion of the $980,000 Stockyard Point (Port Albert) redevelopment;
• commencing redevelopment of the $6.8 million Lex Glover Regional Aquatics Complex;
• $111,000 of improvements and upgrade work to enhance council swimming pool facilities at Heyfield, Stratford and Yarram;
• $150,000 to refurbish public toilets in the shire;
• $100,000 of redevelopment work for playgrounds;
• completion of the $770,000 Yarram Transfer Station.

In addition the council will be increasing the level of funds channelled into such areas as asset management, planning and environmental health, as part of its ongoing drive to enhance the quality of services it delivers to the community.

Wellington Shire’s firm debt reduction strategy of the last five years has seen debt fall from a high of $23 million in 1999 to $11.7 million at the end of 2005/06. This has placed the council in a healthy financial position to begin addressing the backlog of infrastructure renewal costs and will see it investing over $60 million over the next four years to tackle this area and fund major new capital initiatives.

The farming industry is again recognised as a significant contributor to the shire’s economy as the council maintains a differential rate in 2005/06 for this section of the community.

Said Wellington’s Mayor Peter Gault: "This is a sound and realistic budget designed to further stabilise the council’s financial position, while at the same time addressing priorities for action identified by the local community and delivering on some major initiatives.

"Tough decisions taken over recent years, combined with strong financial management, have given the council a solid base from which to develop a financially sustainable future for the shire and from which to tackle new challenges such as those presented by a changing and ageing population."

The council is formally advertising the draft budget for written submissions. Copies of the document will be available from Friday 27 May at Wellington Shire municipal libraries and the council’s Customer Service Centres in Sale and Yarram. It will also be on the council’s website www.wellington.vic.gov.au

The deadline for written submissions is 10am, 10 June, 2005. These should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Wellington Shire Council, PO Box 506, Sale, Vic. 3850.

A Special Council Meeting at 6pm on 14 June will consider these, when there will also be the opportunity for people to speak to their submissions.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com