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Modest Rate Rise For Baw BawBaw Baw Shire Council last night adopted its proposed budget, which includes a massive works program and a modest 6.9% rate rise. By Baw Baw Shire Council - 31st May 2007 - Back to News Council Mayor, David Balfour said that the total remuneration for the organisation increases by only 2.5% from 2006/07.
"Given that the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with staff has an annual increase of 4%, a 1.5% saving in real terms has been achieved through staff restructuring. In addition there was actually a 2.5% reduction in total staff remuneration in 2006/07," said Cr Balfour.
"Last year the ABS Road Construction index of costs increased by 8%, which definitely puts pressure on our budget. This is the second major cost in the budget and has increased by more than double CPI and is greater than our proposed rate increase.
"The budget is based on the responsible use of ratepayers’ funds and is concentrated on improving infrastructure, recreation facilities and increasing community support," said Cr Balfour.
Key highlights of the 2007/08 budget include
- Capital works program of $12.2 million
- Rural road sealing program of $3.7 million over 5 years
- Rural tree planting, rural fencing, rural education and training and rural environment grants $60,000
- Stage one of the third rail crossing in Warragul - land acquisition $150,000
- Rural school road sealing program $340,000 allocated over three years
- Arts Centre improvements $1.1 million over five years
- Pool improvements to the Drouin outdoor pool ($720,000) and the Warragul Leisure Centre ($350,000)
- $400,000 to complete Drouin streetscape improvements
- Car parking - $300,000 to complete the Mason Street car park, $200,000 for 90 degree parking in Mason Street in Warragul.
- Walk Baw Baw implementation – providing through links and improving access $250,000 each year for the next five years.
- Upgrading the Warragul Library to a principal library standard – an additional $100,000 per year over the next five years.
A general rate increase of 6.9% and an increase in charges of 3%, represents a 6.6% increase in total rates and charges. This proposed general rate increase translates to a $59 pa increase in rates to a median valued residential property and $98 pa to a median valued farm property.
Municipal Association of Victoria research suggests that the anticipated increase in total rates and charges for municipalities across the state will be in the order of 6.6%, in line with Baw Baw Shire Council’s proposed increase.
The draft budget was adopted at a council meeting on 23 May. Copies of the budget are available for inspection at the Warragul and Drouin customer service centres located at Civic Place, Warragul, Smith Street, Warragul; Young Street, Drouin between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday and Trafalgar Offices Princes Highway, Trafalgar between 9 am and 12.15pm and 1.15pm and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
A copy of the document will also available for inspection on council’s website at www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au from 25 May.
Any person proposing to make a written submission on a proposal contained in the budget or on the declaration of rates and charges must do so before 5pm on Tuesday, 13 June 2007. Submissions should be addressed to: the CEO, and forwarded by –
Mail: Baw Baw Shire Council, Civic Place (P.O. Box 304), Warragul, 3820
Fax: (03) 5622 3654
Email: bawbaw@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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