A 1.5 per cent rate increase, $1.784 million for Pedrina Park netball courts and drainage projects, and $22 million in Capital Works are all features of the $67.403 million draft 2021-22 Budget released by the Southern Grampians Shire Council.

The shire released its draft 2021-22 Budget, Revenue and Rating Strategy and Pricing Register with public feedback welcomed before it is adopted by council on June 23.

Key initiatives in the budget include the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy; complete designs and begin construction of Melville Oval Stage 2 CBD project; the next steps in the feasibility study of Hamilton Gallery; and priority improvements of Recreation and Leisure Strategy.

While the 2020-21 Budget was designed to respond to the local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s budget had a focus on growth and renewal.

The budget is a rolling four-year plan that outlines the financial and non-financial resources the shire requires to achieve the strategic objectives described in the Council Plan.

In 2017, the council developed the Council Plan (2017-21), following consultation with the community.

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