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Draft budget 2018/19 released for consultation

Budget for 2018/19 open for public submission. See document or attend the community information session to be held on Monday 16 April at Council’s Morwell headquarters.

By Portal Admin - 10th April 2018 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council’s draft budget for 2018/19 is open for public submissions and Council is encouraging the community to find out more by viewing the document or attending the community information session to be held on Monday 16 April at Council’s Morwell headquarters.

Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said the draft budget reflected Council’s commitment to deliver the same services to the community against a background of rate capping.

"We are in a challenging environment, where service delivery and major capital project work needs to be undertaken with the capped rate rise of 2.25% in mind. Our draft budget shows restraint without compromising the quality and range of services that our community has come to expect.

"Our significant capital works program continues with projects like the Northern Reserve Newborough drainage and lighting upgrade, construction of a pavilion at Traralgon’s Apex Park, Morwell Recreation Reserve and Traralgon South and the Traralgon to Morwell shared pathway and Latrobe Synthetic Sports Field Pavilion, in Churchill all due for completion," Cr White said.

"We will continue to progress the design and tendering works on the Latrobe Creative Precinct, the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre and the Traralgon Sports Stadium as well as delivering a host of other major upgrades, reconstructions and asset improvement works around the municipality.

Cr White added that due to the China ban on Australian recycling materials there would be an increase to the garbage charge.

"The garbage charge is proposed to increase by $27 (8.5%), $20 of which reflects the increased cost to Council of recycling resulting from the import ban imposed by China. We do want to continue to be able to provide our ratepayers and residents with the kerbside service – we know it’s well-utilised and valued. Unfortunately, to do so means raising the garbage charge.

"However, we believe the draft budget balances out this unavoidable increase in fees with a continuation of the provision of significant capital investment in our City," Cr White said.

"Now we would like to hear what you think. Your submissions are welcome and if you want to find out more about the finer details of the draft budget you can attend a community information session to be held at the corporate headquarters in Morwell on Monday 16 April from 5.30pm to 7pm. You can talk with officers and provide your feedback.

"It’s a worthwhile experience – we value your thoughts and opinions so we can continue to deliver the services and projects you want," Cr White concluded.

The draft budget will be open for submissions until Wednesday 2 May 2018. To view the draft budget, you can attend your local service centre, phone 1300 367 700 or visit www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/draftbudget.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com