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Draft Budget Focuses On Future Planning

Latrobe City Council’s draft budget has been announced with a focus very much on ensuring Council is well-positioned for the future whilst maintaining a moderate increase to rates for residents.

By Latrobe City - 8th June 2012 - Back to News

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Ed Vermeulen, said that Council was continuing its approach to maintaining service levels, completing existing projects and upgrading existing infrastructure.

"It is proposed that general rates rise by 4.27%, plus a $25 increase to the garbage charge and an additional 0.08% state government landfill levy. This works out to a 5.77% overall rate rise, which is very similar to the last two rate rises.

"This budget focuses on services and works which underpin our profile as Gippsland’s Regional City as well as continuing to position our city for a low carbon emissions future," Cr Vermeulen said.

The total budget is $120.9 million which includes operating activities of $89.8 million; capital budget of $28.0 million and loan principal repayments of $3.1 million.

"Some key capital projects include the undergrounding power lines as part of Moe Rail Precinct Revitalisation Project, construction of new district skate park in Morwell, upgrade of the Moe outdoor pool, completion of the Franklin Street bridge in Traralgon, construction of the Tyers Recreation Reserve change room facilities as part of the Northern Towns Recreation Plan and upgrade of the Moe Tennis Complex. There will also be upgrades to the Yallourn North Town Hall and amenities as well as the construction and upgrade to road works in Churchill as part of the Churchill Town Centre Plan.

"This budget also incorporates the first year of a phased full cost recovery for the construction of future landfill cells. Council has taken this approach to ensure we have a sustainable mechanism for funding of these future liabilities," Cr Vermeulen explained.

"This year Council has also developed a 10 Year Financial Plan which is a high level planning document to provide guidance to future financial decision making.

"Its primary purpose is to ensure that Council has sufficient resources to meet the community expectations for infrastructure renewal, service provision and the inclusion of a number of key capital projects for the municipality into the future.

"It also enables Council to prepare for impacts and opportunities that arise from the broader economic context, for example the low carbon transition. Both this year’s budget and the ten year plan place Latrobe City Council in a strong position to be able to plan for a positive future," Cr Vermeulen concluded.

The draft budget will be open for public submission until Wednesday 4 July 2012. Copies of the draft budget are available for inspection at Latrobe City service centres or on council’s website at www.latrobe.vic.gov.au.

The Council will meet to consider any written submissions in relation to the 2012/2013 budget at 7.15pm on Monday 9 July, 2012 in the Nambur Wariga meeting room, at the corporate headquarters Morwell.

Media Enquiries:

Media Relations Team

Telephone: 5128 5458 or 0409 797 498

Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations

Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195

For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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