Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local NewsCity’s rates increase to be below CPILatrobe City’s general rates are proposed to rise by 2.5% in the 2005-2006 financial year, which is below the consumer price index (CPI). The draft budget proposes to increase garbage charges from the current $159 to $174 in line with Council’s waste management strategy. This will result in overall rate increases for ratepayers of between 1% and 4% depending on individual property valuations. In recommending that the draft budget be released for public consultation, at Monday night’s council meeting, Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley, said that the rate rise proposed in the draft budget was not only being held below CPI, but the increase was the lowest proposed since the municipality had been formed following council amalgamations. "This is a budget that is responsible, prudent and progressive," Mr Buckley said. Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Bruce Lougheed, said he was delighted with the minimal rate rise. "From information received to date from other municipalities across Gippsland, "The fact that we are able to achieve this outcome, points to the sound way in which this municipality’s finances are managed," Cr Lougheed said. Cr Lougheed said that holding the garbage charge at $174 was also encouraging for ratepayers. "Pressures on landfill costs across the state are rising steeply in line with government policies aimed at encouraging less waste. The fact that we are still able to provide a service that includes disposal to landfill and recycling through the three-bin service, for less than $3.35 per household per week, is a sign that residents are taking up the challenge of more recycling and less rubbish," Cr Lougheed said. Mr Buckley said that in contrast to the small rise in rates, the budget proposed the largest capital spend. "This is a budget that hones in on important work in our municipality with a $28 million capital works program," Mr Buckley said. "Spending deliberately targets maintaining and improving infrastructure such as roads, drains, bridges, footpaths, playgrounds and libraries," Mr Buckley said. "More money is being allocated to maintenance of the street trees that add so much to the liveability of our urban areas and townships. For the first time, spending in Council’s budget is being allocated to commence a program of replacing unsuitable trees in our streetscapes. "There is a one-hundred percent increase in spending for library resources, with significant expenditure being invested in the Traralgon Civic Precinct which includes the new Library. "Capital works spending is being allocated to the Yallourn North Outdoor Pool, the Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe, the Moe Senior Citizens’ Club carpark and numerous other facilities throughout the municipality. Mr Buckley said the additional $1million being contributed by the power companies under the recently announced formula would be used to ensure "The whole $1 million is being allocated to the capital works program, investing in areas of identified need such as the widening of Breed Street Traralgon, construction of a duplicate carriageway in Bridle Road Morwell, and the new Traralgon depot and pound. This reduces Council’s need for borrowings by $730,000 in 2005-2006. "The draft 2005/2006 budget has been prepared on the basis of constraint, with the review and implementation of the key strategic actions of Latrobe 2021 - The Vision For Latrobe Valley, being a key focus in 2005-2006," Mr Buckley added. The 2004/05 draft budget will be available on the Council’s web site, www.latrobe.vic.gov.au fromSource: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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