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Lobbying Continues With Grants CommissionThe Bass Coast Shire manages twice the amount of infrastructure of a similar sized Shire with a permanent population of 29,000. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 8th September 2006 - Back to News That is what Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, told the Victoria Grants Commission at their meeting this week.
The Victoria Grants Commission (VGC) allocates funds provided by the Australian Government each year to Victorian councils.
The meeting follows the recent announcement that the Council received a record $4.06 million in assistance.
This Federal Assistance Grant is the single largest annual grant the Council receives.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said two of the three VGC commissioners and their Executive Officer met with members of staff and council.
"The Commission currently distributes most of the Australian Government funding based on permanent population.
"Obviously this discriminates against municipalities like ours that cater for a large visitor and non-resident ratepayer population base," said Mr Bawden.
"However, following a detailed submission from the Council, the Commission this year partly recognised our predicament and made a small change to its formula.
"Also taking into account our natural population growth, this resulted in a significant increase in Council’s grant.
The Council’s Federal Assistance Grant increased by 8.38 percent this year, up by $315,000.
"We will continue to lobby the Commission and other state bodies so that Bass Coast’s situation is taken into account," continued Mr Bawden.
The visit by the Commission, explained Mr Bawden, is part of their attempt to travel around the state and meet with all councils every few years to gain a better understanding of local needs and circumstances.
"We made a presentation on the Shire’s current issues, with particular emphasis on our rapid population growth and the challenges of managing ageing infrastructure.
"The Commission then presented on the work the VGC do and the way in which grants are allocated.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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