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Comment Sought on Draft BudgetWellington Shire Council has voted to put its draft budget for 2006-2007 out for public comment. The Council wants the community to examine the budget papers and provide comment or suggestions. By Wellington Shire Council - 18th May 2006 - Back to News The draft budget allows for a 6.95% increase in income from rates and charges.
"This is possibly one of the smallest rises of any Council," said Cr Malcolm Hole, Mayor of Wellington Shire Council.
Wellington Shire CEO, Lyndon Webb, said the draft budget would enable Council to continue to provide current services along with additional improvements in roads, recreational facilities and community development.
"Total expenditure will be $50 million, and it is pleasing that we have been successful in attracting nearly $18 million of this from external sources including state and federal government grants and program funding," said Mr Webb.
"This reduces the total burden on ratepayers," said Mr Webb.
Council has taken on board various approaches from the community this year in opting to reform the way rates and charges are levied on property owners.
"Council has taken this opportunity to redistribute the rate burden through the removal of the $148 Municipal Charge. When all factors are taken into account it means that ratepayers with lower value property will pay less, while ratepayers with above average property value pay more," said Cr Hole.
The Mayor explained that the rate increase was necessary to maintain services and continue a strong construction program in the face of losses in rate revenue due to the Eastern Gas Pipeline rating decision, the Federal Government declining to continue the Local Government Improvement Incentive, and general cost increases including fuel.
"Removing the Municipal Charge creates a more equitable outcome for people with lower value properties, including coastal land holders who are prevented for planning reasons from developing their properties" said Cr Hole.
Council has retained a rate differential for farming property, set this year at 80%.
"Our previous structure resulted in some people paying rates and charges that were clearly out of proportion to the value of their property," said Cr Hole.
"It was a situation that Council could not let continue."
The draft budget is now available for public comment. Copies are available from Council offices or can be viewed on the Council website.
"We encourage the community to read the draft budget.
"People now have three weeks if they wish to make any comment. Council will take these comments into account before deciding on the final budget in June," said Councillor Hole.
Key items in the draft budget include:
- $4.8 million on roads
- $1.7 million on bridges
- $895,000 for completion of the Stockyard Point (Port Albert) Redevelopment project
- $6.9 million for redevelopment of the Lex Glover Regional Aquatic Complex
- $200,000 to refurbish public toilets in the Shire
- $180,000 for Victoria Park Maffra
- $200,000 for redeveloped and new playgrounds
- $300,000 for construction of concrete processing facilities at Kilmany Landfill
- $420,000 for new Wastewater Reticulation at West Sale Aerodrome
- $150,000 to enhance water quality at the Stratford swimming pool
- $60,000 on upgrading the facilities at the Loch Sport Community Hall
- $101,000 for upgrade of the Port Albert Maritime Museum toilets and archive storage
- $2.8 million on community and lifestyle initiatives including the Lets Get Connected Transport Project, community assistance grants, development of community representative groups, and Home and Community Care programs in partnership with local health services.
- $1.7 million on healthy lifestyles and community safety including expanded programs and services at recreation facilities.
- $1.2 million on economic development and tourism
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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